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Sophisticated LadiesOpening Date: March 1, 1981
Closing Date: January 2, 1983 Air date: Nov 5, 1982 Medium: TV Where to watch: DVD |
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Stage Production Notes
Based on a concept by Donald McKayle, Sophisticated Ladies is a musical revue celebrating the music of Duke Ellington.
In December 1980, Sophisticated Ladies began try-outs in Philadelphia. Shortly afterwards, in mid-January 1981, the revue opened in Washington D.C. for a limited three week engagement.
The revue was beset with problems. Playwright Samm-Art Williams was brought in to revise the book, and then the book was dropped altogether. Leading man Gregory Hines quit, or was fired, after the Washington opening night due to “irreconcilable differences with the director-choreographer, Donald McKayle, and the producers.” McKayle quit the production, Michael Smuin took over as director, and Hines was quickly re-invited back.
By the time Sophisticated Ladies opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 1, 1981, it had been re-worked by three directors and the same number of choreographers.
It was predicted the revue would be a monumental flop, however after opening night Sophisticated Ladies was deemed a surprise hit. New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich praised the lavish production for its high level of skill and fun. John S. Wilson, also from the Times, stated “This Ellington music has not been played so well and with such authority for more than 30 years.”
Sophisticated Ladies was somewhat of a family affair. The music was brought to life by Duke Ellington’s son, Mercer Ellington, and Mercer’s daughter, Mercedes Ellington, performed in the cast. Mercedes Ellington was joined by Hinton Battle, Gregg Burge, Gregory Hines, Judith Jamison, Terri Klausner, P. J. Benjamin, Phyllis Hyman, and Priscilla Baskerville. The ensemble, referred to as the “Sophisticated Ladies” and “Sophisticated Gentlemen” included Claudia Asbury, Mercedes Ellington, Paula Lynn, Wynonna Smith, Adrian Bailey, Michael Lichtefeld, Michael Scott Gregory, and T. A. Stephens.
The Broadway production was nominated for 8 Tony Awards, winning for Best Costume Design, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Hinton Battle).
During the run, Sophisticated Ladies became the first Broadway musical to be broadcast live on pay television — more information below.
On January 2, 1983, Sophisticated Ladies closed on Broadway after 767 performances.
A national tour took place throughout 1982. Due to concerns over the broadcast affecting ticket sales, Nederlander had initially pulled out of financing the tour. Nederlander eventually co-produced the tour with the Shubert Organization.
Sophisticated Ladies opened on the West End in June, 1983.
Sophisticated Ladies continues to be performed throughout the United States. It is available to license through the Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Based on a concept by Donald McKayle, Sophisticated Ladies is a musical revue celebrating the music of Duke Ellington.
In December 1980, Sophisticated Ladies began try-outs in Philadelphia. Shortly afterwards, in mid-January 1981, the revue opened in Washington D.C. for a limited three week engagement.
The revue was beset with problems. Playwright Samm-Art Williams was brought in to revise the book, and then the book was dropped altogether. Leading man Gregory Hines quit, or was fired, after the Washington opening night due to “irreconcilable differences with the director-choreographer, Donald McKayle, and the producers.” McKayle quit the production, Michael Smuin took over as director, and Hines was quickly re-invited back.
By the time Sophisticated Ladies opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 1, 1981, it had been re-worked by three directors and the same number of choreographers.
It was predicted the revue would be a monumental flop, however after opening night Sophisticated Ladies was deemed a surprise hit. New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich praised the lavish production for its high level of skill and fun. John S. Wilson, also from the Times, stated “This Ellington music has not been played so well and with such authority for more than 30 years.”
Sophisticated Ladies was somewhat of a family affair. The music was brought to life by Duke Ellington’s son, Mercer Ellington, and Mercer’s daughter, Mercedes Ellington, performed in the cast. Mercedes Ellington was joined by Hinton Battle, Gregg Burge, Gregory Hines, Judith Jamison, Terri Klausner, P. J. Benjamin, Phyllis Hyman, and Priscilla Baskerville. The ensemble, referred to as the “Sophisticated Ladies” and “Sophisticated Gentlemen” included Claudia Asbury, Mercedes Ellington, Paula Lynn, Wynonna Smith, Adrian Bailey, Michael Lichtefeld, Michael Scott Gregory, and T. A. Stephens.
The Broadway production was nominated for 8 Tony Awards, winning for Best Costume Design, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Hinton Battle).
During the run, Sophisticated Ladies became the first Broadway musical to be broadcast live on pay television — more information below.
On January 2, 1983, Sophisticated Ladies closed on Broadway after 767 performances.
A national tour took place throughout 1982. Due to concerns over the broadcast affecting ticket sales, Nederlander had initially pulled out of financing the tour. Nederlander eventually co-produced the tour with the Shubert Organization.
Sophisticated Ladies opened on the West End in June, 1983.
Sophisticated Ladies continues to be performed throughout the United States. It is available to license through the Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Filmed Production Notes
Although Sophisticated Ladies was billed as the first Broadway musical to be broadcast live on pay television, it was technically the second, with Show Girl airing on an early version of pay tv in 1962.
The broadcast took place on November 5, 1982. With the exception of New York City (and other unspecified cities where the musical was scheduled to open), Sophisticated Ladies was made available to pay tv subscribers across the United States through the Oak Media Corporation. Viewers had to opt in ahead of the broadcast, and it would be made available through their cable provider.
The vast majority of the Broadway cast opted not to appear in the telecast. The cast were unhappy with payment negotiations, and were concerned that the telecast would negatively affect ticket sales. Along with other Broadway performers, the cast picketed the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on the night of the broadcast. Jet Magazine also reported in late November that stars Judith Jamison and Maurice Hines were suing the broadcast producers “for using their names in promoting the special broadcast.”
Cast members from the touring production — which included original Broadway cast members Hinton Battle, Terri Klausner and Gregg Burge — performed for the broadcast.
While market research had indicated just under half of subscribers were interested in a musical broadcast, only a tiny fraction, reportedly as low as 5%, or approximately 50,000 viewers, opted to pay $15 to watch the broadcast. According to research by the Oak Media Corporation, more viewers tuned in in cities where Sophisticated Ladies had already played in an actual theatre.
Producer Roger Berlind was confident the telecast gave Sophisticated Ladies unprecedented national exposure, which would help future tours of the show.
Sophisticated Ladies was released on DVD by Kultur Video in 2005.
Although Sophisticated Ladies was billed as the first Broadway musical to be broadcast live on pay television, it was technically the second, with Show Girl airing on an early version of pay tv in 1962.
The broadcast took place on November 5, 1982. With the exception of New York City (and other unspecified cities where the musical was scheduled to open), Sophisticated Ladies was made available to pay tv subscribers across the United States through the Oak Media Corporation. Viewers had to opt in ahead of the broadcast, and it would be made available through their cable provider.
The vast majority of the Broadway cast opted not to appear in the telecast. The cast were unhappy with payment negotiations, and were concerned that the telecast would negatively affect ticket sales. Along with other Broadway performers, the cast picketed the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on the night of the broadcast. Jet Magazine also reported in late November that stars Judith Jamison and Maurice Hines were suing the broadcast producers “for using their names in promoting the special broadcast.”
Cast members from the touring production — which included original Broadway cast members Hinton Battle, Terri Klausner and Gregg Burge — performed for the broadcast.
While market research had indicated just under half of subscribers were interested in a musical broadcast, only a tiny fraction, reportedly as low as 5%, or approximately 50,000 viewers, opted to pay $15 to watch the broadcast. According to research by the Oak Media Corporation, more viewers tuned in in cities where Sophisticated Ladies had already played in an actual theatre.
Producer Roger Berlind was confident the telecast gave Sophisticated Ladies unprecedented national exposure, which would help future tours of the show.
Sophisticated Ladies was released on DVD by Kultur Video in 2005.
Sophisticated Ladies PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York
Producer: Manheim Fox, Sondra Gilman, Burton L. Litwin, Louise Westergaard, Oak Media Development Corporation, Black Tie Network
Music: Duke Ellington
Director: Michael Smuin
Musical Director: Mercer Ellington
Orchestrations: Al Cohn
Dance arrangements and incidental music: Lloyd Mayers
Vocal Arrangements: Malcolm Dodds and Lloyd Mayers
Choreography: Donald McKayle, Michael Smuin
Co-Choreography and Tap Choreography: Henry LeTang
Scenic Design: Tony Walton
Costume Design: Willa Kim
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton Film: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Otts Munderloh, Film: Matt Kaplowitz
Hair and Wig Design: Danny Wintrode
Stage Manager: Mark Lipshutz
Cast:
Hinton Battle, Paula Kelly, Phyllis Hyman, Roger S. Berlind, Terri Klausner, Gregg Burge, Garry Q. Lewis, Calvin McRae, Leata Galloway, Lorraine Fields
Theatre: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York
Producer: Manheim Fox, Sondra Gilman, Burton L. Litwin, Louise Westergaard, Oak Media Development Corporation, Black Tie Network
Music: Duke Ellington
Director: Michael Smuin
Musical Director: Mercer Ellington
Orchestrations: Al Cohn
Dance arrangements and incidental music: Lloyd Mayers
Vocal Arrangements: Malcolm Dodds and Lloyd Mayers
Choreography: Donald McKayle, Michael Smuin
Co-Choreography and Tap Choreography: Henry LeTang
Scenic Design: Tony Walton
Costume Design: Willa Kim
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton Film: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Otts Munderloh, Film: Matt Kaplowitz
Hair and Wig Design: Danny Wintrode
Stage Manager: Mark Lipshutz
Cast:
Hinton Battle, Paula Kelly, Phyllis Hyman, Roger S. Berlind, Terri Klausner, Gregg Burge, Garry Q. Lewis, Calvin McRae, Leata Galloway, Lorraine Fields
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- John Bush Jones, Our Musicals, Ourselves: A Social History of the American Musical Theatre, Brandeis University Press (2011)
- Dan Dietz, The Complete Book of 1980s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield (2016)
Articles
- John Corry, “How a Washington Flop Became a Broadway Hit,” New York Times (March 3, 1981)
- Laura Deni, “Broadway in Las Vegas,” Billboard (Jan 29, 1983) p.B-39
- Laura Deni, “On the Road: Star Policy is Best Insurance,” Billboard (Jan 29, 1983) p.B8, B36
- John Duka, “She Made ‘Ladies’ Look Sophisticated,” New York Times (Sept 20, 1981)
- Ed Ochs, “Broadway Around the World,” Billboard (Jan 29, 1983)
- Ed Ochs, “Cable/TV Picture: Hot Theatre to Small Screen,” Billboard (Jan 29, 1983) p. B17
- Frank Rich, “Stage: Ellington’s ‘Sophisticated Ladies’” New York Times (March 2, 1981)
- Tony Schwartz, “Plan to Present Musical Raises Pay-TV Issues,” New York Times (Oct 30, 1982)
- Tony Schwartz, “Weak Pay-TV Response to ‘Ladies’” New York Times (Nov 20, 1982)
- John S. Wilson, “Stage: The Ellingtonians Ring True in ‘Ladies’” New York Times (April 3, 1981)
- Uncredited, “Gregory Hines, in Dispute, Quits 'Sophisticated Ladies’” New York Times (Jan 15, 1981)
- Uncredited, "'Sophisticated Ladies’ Stars Sue TV Producers,” Jet Magazine (Nov 29, 1982), p.57
- Uncredited, “New York to Hollywood: Browsing Broadway,” JET Magazine (Sept 5, 1983) p.55
Websites
- Playbill, “Sophisticated Ladies,” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/sophisticated-ladies-lunt-fontanne-theatre-vault-0000005041
- Rodgers and Hammerstein, “Sophisticated Ladies,” Accessed via: http://www.rnh.com/show/94/Sophisticated-Ladies
Written by Luisa Lyons (November, 2017, updated June 2020)