Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies June 3, 2010

Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies is a musical revue based on the music of Duke Ellington and was conceived by Donald McKayle (Broadway’s and Arena’s Raisin), with music, dance and vocal arrangements by Lloyd Mayers, additional vocal arrangements by Malcolm Dodd and original music direction by Mercer Ellington. It explores the legacy of local jazz hero Duke Ellington and follows his journey from the beginnings in D.C. through his time in New York City to his national and international stardom. The show travels through a history of song and dance with an “authentic, jazzy, brassy sound and dancing of high voltage and precision” (The New York Times). Big band music, from the roaring ‘20s through the swing era, serves as the show’s soundtrack with hits like “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” and “Take the ‘A’ Train” while dance styles range from Charleston to swing to virtuosic tap.

Tickets for Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies start at $25. Discount tickets are available for patrons purchasing tickets for multiple shows, students and groups. A limited number of $10 tickets for patrons ages 30 and under go on sale beginning each Monday for performances that week (All patrons must present valid ID). HOTTIX, a limited number of half-price, day-of-performance tickets, are available 90 to 30 minutes before curtain prior to every performance. Tickets may be purchased online at www.arenastage.org, by phone at (202) 488-3300 or at the Arena Stage Sales Office at 1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202.