Mercedes Ellington News

Lifelong performer and Tony Award nominee Maurice Hines (Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Eubie!) captivates audiences with stories, songs and smooth choreography for his return to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Hines, who started performing at five years old, brings the history of American tap to life and pays tribute to his brother Gregory and the singers who inspired him, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne. A co-production with Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff and Cleveland Play House, Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life runs November 15-December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Joseph W. Polisi, President of The Juilliard School, today announced the creation of the Kovner Fellowship Program at Juilliard that will be endowed with a gift of $60 million - the largest single one-time gift to the School - from Bruce and Suzie Kovner, long-time supporters of the School. Providing full tuition, and living expenses, the Fellowships recognize the excellence of Juilliard's classical music students and enhance the School's 100+ year tradition of attracting and developing the most talented musicians in the world.

Joseph W. Polisi, President of The Juilliard School, today announced the creation of the Kovner Fellowship Program at Juilliard that will be endowed with a gift of $60 million - the largest single one-time gift to the School - from Bruce and Suzie Kovner, long-time supporters of the School.

The 2nd Annual Bob Stewart Tuba Competition will be a featured part of the 38th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival on Saturday, October 26, 12 - 5 PM.

Rolex presents BROADWAY & BEYOND! Celebrating Theatre & Dance - Career Transition For Dancers' 28th Anniversary Jubilee today, October 8, 2013 at 7pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave) NYC. It will be followed by dinner at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. Broadway is a truly an American form of entertainment.

Career Transition For Dancers' 28th Anniversary Jubilee BROADWAY & BEYOND! Celebrating Theatre & Dance presented by ROLEX - will take place tonight, October 8th, 2013 at 7pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave) NYC. The Rolex Dance Award will be given to Ann-Margret. The super-star is a two time Academy Award Nominee, winner of 5 Golden Globes, Emmy Award winner and a Grammy Nominee.

ROLEX presents BROADWAY & BEYOND! Celebrating Theatre & Dance - Career Transition For Dancers' 28th Anniversary Jubilee on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 7pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves) NYC, followed by dinner at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York.

Broadway is a truly American form of entertainment. BROADWAY & BEYOND! not only brings to life the magic of theatre, but emphasizes the universal scope of dance in pop culture. This one night only entertainment event* will include performances by Kelly Bishop, Lynn Cohen, Dule Hill, Andrea McArdle, Christiane Noll, Rosie O'Donnell, Orfeh, Noah Racey, Randy Skinner, Jimmy Tate and many others.

The York Theatre Company production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino, choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this Saturday evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

Pete Seeger, a master of vocals, banjo, and guitar and well known for influencing the development of folk music and for his continued commitment to social justice, peace and environmental issues, is the recipient of the first Phoebe Jacobs Award of Distinction which will be presented by Beth Israel Medical Center's Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine at its 8th Annual What A Wonderful World event on Monday, September 23rd.

The York Theatre Company, launches the NEODevelopmental Reading Series with the workshop presentation of the new musical, A Girl Called Vincent, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music written and composed by Carmel Dean, directed by Dick Scanlon and music direction by Charity Wicks. The six-member cast will feature Gerard Canonico, Van Hughes, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Kelvin Moon Loh, Bonnie Milligan and Dani Shay. A single performance is scheduled for today, August 8, 2013 at 3:00pm.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) will host aspecial gala event featuring several numbers from the Richard Rodgers Award-winning new musical in development, Buddy's Tavern, with book by Raymond DeFelitta, lyrics by Alison Louise Hubbard, and music by Kim Oler. The institutional fundraising event is set for TONIGHT, August 5 at the Alexandre Gertsman Contemporary Art Gallery (652 Broadway, 2nd Floor, between Bleecker and Bond Streets). Portion of the proceeds collected by the Gertsman Gallery will be donated to The York Theatre Company.

ROLEX presents BROADWAY & BEYOND! Celebrating Theatre & Dance - Career Transition For Dancers' 28th Anniversary Jubilee on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 7pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave) NYC. It will be followed by dinner at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. Joining the show is Liza Minnelli, winner of four Tony Awards, an Oscar, a special 'Legends' Grammy, two Golden Globe Awards an Emmy,and the recipient of the 2012 Rolex dance Award. Liza is one of the entertainment world's consummate performers. She stated, 'It will be an honor for me to present this year's 2013 Rolex Dance Award to the incomparable Ann-Margret at Career Transition For Dancers 28th Anniversary Jubilee.'

The York Theatre Company, launches the NEODevelopmental Reading Series with the workshop presentation of the new musical, A Girl Called Vincent, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music written and composed by Carmel Dean, directed by Dick Scanlon and music direction by Charity Wicks. The six-member cast will feature Gerard Canonico, Van Hughes, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Kelvin Moon Loh, Bonnie Milligan and Dani Shay. A single performance is scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 3:00pm.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) present the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel. The show opened earlier this week and BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities. Check out photo coverage below!

York Theatre's musical set in the infamous New Orleans red light district of a hundred years ago doesn't do justice to the subject.

Ed Bullins, book writer of the musical 'Storyville,' attended a recent performance of the musical at The York Theatre Company. Scroll down for photos of him with the cast and creative team!

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, opens its 2013-2014 season with New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013, Wednesday, December 11 through Sunday, December 15, 2013 in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater and features Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by the Senior Class, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division. Next season's innovative choreographers are Juilliard alumnus Takehiro Ueyama (1st Year Dancers); Brian Brooks (2nd Year Dancers); and Juilliard alumnus Darrell Grand Moultrie (3rd Year Dancers).

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) presents the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel. Opening Night is Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.