Duke Ellington's Music Comes Alive On Stage In New Production

WDCB’s Gary Zidek previews Porchlight Music Theatre’s new production of the Duke Ellington-inspired revue SOPHISTICATED LADIES.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek previews Porchlight Music Theatre's new production of SOPHISTICATED LADIES.

“It’s like the perfect project, it’s something that I was really excited, and slightly daunted, you know when you’re working on such iconic music, that everyone knows. (He’s) a composer, musician, artist and an African-American man, who I look up to and admire and respect so much.” - Jermaine Hill, the music director for SOPHISTICATED LADIES, talking about his interest in this production and admiration for Duke Ellington.

Jermaine Hill, music director for Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of SOPHISTICATED LADIES

Porchlight Music Theatre is paying tribute to Duke Ellington with a new production of the music revue SOPHISTICATED LADIES.

Few names loom as large over the history of American music as Duke Ellington. Born in 1899, Edward Kennedy Ellington spent most of his 75 years making music and breaking barriers.

Duke Ellington and his orchestra

SOPHISTICATED LADIES was conceived by dancer and choreographer Donald McKayle in the early 80’s. With a score featuring some of Ellington’s most popular songs, the original SOPHISTICATED LADIES opened on Broadway in 1981.

(Left to Right) Terri K. Woodall and Tristan Bruns in Kinda Dukish from Porchlight Music Theatre’s SOPHISTICATED LADIES. Photo credit: Michael Courier

This Porchlight production, which features 32 songs, is directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris.

“Duke Ellington was one of my father’s favorite artist, so I used to listen to him as a child. Secondly, I love tap. I didn’t realize this show was so tap-filled. It has a lot of phenomenal tap numbers.” - Florence Walker Harris, co-director and co-choreographer of SOPHISTICATED LADIES, talking about her attraction to this project.

Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of SOPHISTICATED LADIES is running through March 6 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. You can find more information at porchlightmusictheatre.org