Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season with Sophisticated Ladies – a very musical appreciation of Mr. Duke Ellington. The revue, originally conceived by Donald McKayle, opened on Broadway in 1981, and was a Tony Award nominee for Best Musical.
B&B’s production celebrates the jazz-master’s catalogue with swagger and style. His progression of ideas and creations is set forth by a solid group of performers supported by Musical Director Teneh B.C. Karimu’s full-voiced orchestra. Director/Choreographer Kenney Green-Tilford sets the tone for a fine evening of stylized song and dance.
A good-sized cast of singers and dancers wend through the show’s 30 musical numbers with a snappy and sassy array of combinations and song stylings. Ellington’s works are aptly portrayed with animated tellings, highlighted by such favorites as “Music Is A Woman” as offered by Tiffany Gilliam and Sean Blake, “It Don’t Mean A Thing” with Yvette Monique Clark, and “Satin Doll” with Zachary Dyer and Kelliann DeCarlo. Ms. Clark and Ms. DeCarlo combine for a soulful “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good,” Joseph Perkins leads the ensemble in “Caravan,” and Darius-Anthony Robinson, Gigi Huang and Jonny Rouse perform a spirited “Dancers In Love.” Ms. DeCarlo offers “Solitude” punctuated by a dreamy dance by Anika Lynn Casey.
The cast of Sophisticated Ladies, on stage now at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. (Photo by Julie Curry)
All the performers sparkle and shine due to the amazing plethora of costumes designed and gathered by Dustin Cross and his crew. The stage setting by set designer Michael Layton and lighting designer Ryan Koharchik evoke a night club environment including the onstage orchestra.
Bottom line: The combination of Ellington’s wonderful compositions, this cast of well-prepared and talented performers, plus a “big band” sounding orchestra makes for a memorable evening of the master’s works.
Sophisticated Ladies continues at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre through Aug. 20. Show times and reservations can be obtained at beefandboards.com, or by calling (317) 872-9664.
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