On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the night after the AUDELCO awards, “Billy, Lena and the Duke: A Night of Ellington Music!” opens. The eight-performance run will be staged Tuesday through Saturday at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, 236 E. 3rd St. Showtimes are at 7 p.m., with matinees Thursday through Saturday at 3 p.m. To order tickets, visit www.Nuyorican.org or call (212) 780-9386. Tickets will also be available at the door. Advance tickets are $20, $15 for seniors and students and $10 for matinees.
Lorna Littleway and Ivan Thomas team up to present a 31-song cabaret of classic jazz standards composed by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Selections include: “Take the A Train,” “Solitude,” “Satin Doll,” “In a Sentimental Mood” and “Lush Life.” Also included are songs popularized by Lena Horne, such as “‘Deed I Do,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man of Mine,” “From This Moment On” and “Stormy Weather.”
The creative team and cast have accrued 25 AUDELCO Awards and nominations, including Book and Direction, Lorna Littleway; Music Director, Ivan Thomas; Choreographer, Robin Hemmings; Set/Props Designer, Karen LeRiche; Costume Designer, Ali Turns; and Lighting Designer, Rome Neal.
The talented cast features Ivan Thomas, Gary E. Vincent, C. Niambi Steele, Roslyn Seale and Fulton C. Hodges.
Be sure to see and totally enjoy “Billy, Lena and the Duke: A Night of Ellington Music!” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Catch the spirit!