Sophisticated Ladies

Sophisticated Ladies is a revue with melodies by Duke Ellington. It opened on 1 March 1981 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater on Broadway. In just under two years, she lived in 767 shows.

The review was based on an idea by Donald McKayle. Directed by Michael Smuin, who also choreographed the show along with McKayle; Henry LeTang, the lighting designer Reinhard Traub. The orchestration comes from Al Cohn, the arrangements by Lloyd Mayers, the musical direction took over the son Duke Ellingtons, Mercer Ellington.

In the first act, the action illuminates the beginnings of Ellington in the Cotton Club until his first great success, while in the second act the private man and artist is traced.

Unter den dargebotenen Musiknummern befinden sich Titel wie »Perdido«, »It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)«, »Take the “A” Train«, »Solitude«, »Don’t Get Around Much Anymore«, » Caravan«, »In a Sentimental Mood«, »I’m Beginning to See the Light«, »Satin Doll«, »I'm Just A Lucky So-And-So «, »Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me«, »Mood Indigo«, »Sophisticated Lady«.

Im rein schwarzen Ensemble sangen und tanzten u. a. Gregory Hines, Hinton Battle, Gregg Burge, Judith Jamison, P. J. Benjamin, Phyllis Hyman und Terri Klausner.

The revue was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 1981 and finally won the Best Supporting Roll (Hinton Battle) and Best Costume Award (Willa Kim). Edit soundtexttext Edit sourcetext literature Weblinks

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