Darius-Anthony Robinson stars in “Sophisticated Ladies” opening July 14 in Indianapolis.
Photo provided
INDIANAPOLIS – This summer, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre celebrates 100 years since legendary jazz pianist and composer Duke Ellington moved to New York City to perform in Broadway nightclubs.
“Sophisticated Ladies,” a stylish and brassy retrospective of The Duke’s musical legacy, opens on July 14.
After moving to New York City in 1923 to perform in such legendary venues as the Exclusive Club in Harlem and the Hollywood Club, Ellington would go on to have extended residencies at the Cotton Club in Harlem. It is this period that is celebrated in Act I, with songs including “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “’A’ Train,” and “Hit Me With A Hot Note And Watch Me Bounce.”
Act II explores the private man as captured in his music, featuring “I’m Beginning To See The Light,” “Satin Doll,” “I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good,” and “Sophisticated Lady.” Ellington recorded with such talents as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, and Charles Mingus. “Sophisticated Ladies” is a high-stepping salute inspired by the glamorous nightlife and sensuous high life of Ellington, who would go on to tour Europe, Asia, West Africa, and South America, in addition to North America.
Darius-Anthony Robinson makes his Beef & Boards debut as Gregory, with Tiffany Gilliam (“An American in Paris,” “Beehive”) as Judith, Joseph Perkins Jr. (“Hello, Dolly!” “The Drowsy Chaperone”) as Gregg, and Sean Blake (“Run For Your Wife,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”) as Hinton. Also making their Beef & Boards debuts are Yvette Monique Clark as Phyllis, Kelliann DeCarlo as Terry, and Zachary Dyer as P.J.
Rounding out the cast are Arika Lynn Casey, Gigi Huang, Christopher G. Patterson and Jonny Rouse.
Understudies are Jonathan Studdard and Amy Owens. “Sophisticated Ladies” is directed and choreographed by Kenney M. Greene-Tilford, with musical direction by Teneh Karimu.
“Sophisticated Ladies” is on stage for 38 performances through Aug. 20. Tickets range from $52.50 to $79.50 and include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages.
To purchase tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317-872-9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays).
