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The Guide to Musical Theatre

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A selection of shows broken down into type. This is not an exhaustive or definitive list but merely a suggestion.
Potted biographies of musical theatre composers

Showlist S

SOPHISTICATED LADIES

A Musical (Revue) in Two Acts. Concept by Donald McKayle, musical and dance arrangements by Lloyd Mayers, vocal arrangements by Malcolm Dodds and Lloyd Mayers; music by Duke Ellington

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Broadway 1 March, 1981 (767 perfs)

SYNOPSIS

The musical legacy of The Duke is celebrated in this stylish and brassy retrospective that has taken audiences and critics alike by storm throughout the world. This glorious recreation of the Duke Ellington big band sound features all his most famous numbers, from the infamous Speak Easy era of the Cotton Club up to his death, including "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing", "Take the 'A' Train", "Satin Doll" and the haunting "In a Sentimental Mood". An abundance of riches from the most sophisticated and sassy jazz king of them all!

Cast: 4 men, 3 women, chorus 

Musical Numbers

ACT I

  1. "I've Got To Be a Rug Cutter" (1937) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington.)
  2. "Music Is a Woman" (Based on "Jubilee Stomp" 1928) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by John Guare.)
  3. "The Mooche" (1929) (Music by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills.)
  4. "Hit Me With a Hot Note (and Watch Me Bounce)" (1945) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Don George.)
  5. "Prelude to a-Kiss" (1938) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills.)
  6. "I Love You Madly" (1950) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington.)
  7. "Perdido" (1971) (Music and Lyrics by Juan Tizol, Ervin Drake, Hans Lengsfelder.)
  8. "Fat and Forty" (Music and Lyrics by Al Hibbler and Duke Ellington.) Replaced during the run and for subsequent tour by: "Everything But You" (1945) (Music by Duke Ellington, Harry James. Lyrics by Don George.)
  9. "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" (1929) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Irving Mills.)
  10. "Bli-Blip" (1941) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills.)
  11. "Cotton Tail" (1940) (Music by Duke Ellington.)
  12. "Take the "A" Train" (1941) (Music by Billy Strayhorn.)
  13. "Solitude" (1934) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills.)
  14. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (1942) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Bob Russell.)
  15. "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" (from Cotton Club Parade, 1938) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Irving Mills and John Redmond.)
  16. "Caravan" (1937) (Music by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizot. Lyrics by Irving Mills.)
  17. "Something to Live For" (1939) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn)
  18. "Old Man Blues" (1930) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills.)
  19. "Drop Me Off in Harlem" (1933) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Nick Kenny.)
  20. "Rockin' in Rhythm" (from Earl Carroll's Vanities of 1932) (Music by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Harry Canvey.)


ACT 2

  1. "Duke's Place" (1957) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Bill Katz and Robert Thiele.)
  2. "Diminuendo in Blue" (1942) (Music by Duke Ellington.)
  3. "In a Sentimental Mood" (1935) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills.)
  4. "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (1944) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnnie Hodges, Harry James.)
  5. "Satin Doll" (1958) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Billy Strayhorn and Johnny Mercer.)
  6. "Just Squeeze Me" (1946) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Lee Gaines.)
  7. "Dancers in Love" (1945) (Music by Duke Ellington.)
  8. "Echoes of Harlem" (1936) (Music by Duke Ellington.)
  9. "I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So" (1945) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Mack David.)
  10. "Hey Baby" (1946) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington.)
  11. "Imagine My Frustration" (1966) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Gerald Wilson.)
  12. "Kinda Dukish" (1955) (Music by Duke Ellington.)
  13. "Ko-Ko" (1939) (Music by Duke Ellington.)
  14. "I'm Checking Out Goombye" (1939) (Music and Lyrics by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.)
  15. "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me" (1943) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by.Bob Russell)
    "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" (from JUmp For Joy, 1941) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster.)
  16. "Mood Indigo" (1931) (Music by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Albany "Barney" Bigard.)
  17. "Sophisticated Lady" (1933) (Music by Duke Ellington. Lyrics by Mitchell Parish and Irving Mills.)
  18. "It Don't Mean a Thing" (reprise)

 

Instrumentation:

Reed I (clarinet, alto sax), Reed II (clarinet, tenor sax), Reed III (clarinet, baritone sax), 3 trumpets db flugelhorns, trombone, percussion drums, piano, bass

 
         
 
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