News

Maurice Hines demonstrates why his career continues to thrive after six decades in the business

October 8, 2009

Tribute traces footsteps of dance legends

Written by Kimberly Roberts

The Philadelphia Tribune

Anyone who has ever donned a pair of tap shoes, or wished that they could, should rush down to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a performance of “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute to the Legends of Tap,” featuring special guest star, Maurice Hines.

Now playing through Oct. 10, “Thank You, Gregory,” the opening production of Dance Celebration’s 28th season titled “The Magic of Movement,” pays homage to “tap’s leading ambassador,” Gregory Hines, acknowledging him as “the bridge” between the Golden Age of tap dancing and the high powered hoofers of today.
“Thank You Gregory” is a multimedia production featuring entertaining, and in some cases, mind-blowing footage of such legends as Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, The Nicholas Brothers, Eleanor Powell, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Donald O’Connor, Honi Coles, Ray Bolger, John Bubbles and Gene Kelly. The tap tradition is continued live onstage by a supremely talented cast that includes Chloe Arnold, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, Donovan Helma, Heather Holohan, Kendrick Jones, Brent McBeth, Susan Nase and Melinda Sullivan, as well as principal dancer Jason Samuels Smith.
The rollicking production is ably accompanied by a live band comprised of Theo Hill (piano), Joe Fonda (bass) and a flashy female drummer who goes by Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks.
After high-energy salutes to “A Few Tap Legends,” “Fred Astaire and His Dance Partners,” “The Eccentrics & Classic Vaudeville,” and “The Kings of Rhythm Tap,” including Philadelphia’s own LaVaughn Robinson, Maurice Hines took the stage.
The essence of Old Hollywood, Hines, now 66 years-old and totally fabulous, charmed and captivated the audience with old family photos and anecdotes about his life and career with his little brother. Then, dancing next to an empty spotlight before a photo montage, Maurice danced the very first routine that he and Gregory, a Tony and Emmy Award winner who died from cancer at age 57, ever performed together. Gregory was only five years old, and Maurice was seven.
This poignant moment was followed by Maurice’s jazzy and joyous rendition of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Performing with charisma and an energy that equaled his much younger cast mates, Hines, who will star in a revival of the Broadway musical “Sophisticated Ladies” next year, demonstrated why his career continues to thrive after six decades in the business.
I learned from an 80-year-old female hoofer that in the world of tap, women “are not allowed to ‘overdance’ the men.” Apparently, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, who served as captain and a principal dancer for Broadway’s “Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk,” never received that memo, or has simply (and appropriately) chosen to ignore it. A pint-sized powerhouse, Sumbry-Edwards, who was given a solo spot in “Hoofer’s Line,” put on a dazzling display of fancy footwork that would stand up against any challenger, including the show’s celebrated Emmy Award winner, Jason Samuels Smith. The show concluded with the traditional Shim Sham Shimmy, and members of the audience were invited to join the cast onstage.
Directed by Ann Marie De Angelo and written by Tony Waag, with whimsical costumes by Charles Schoonmaker, “Thank You Gregory” is a joyous celebration of Gregory Hines, the most devoted steward of a uniquely American art form.
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 3680 Walnut St. For tickets call the Annenberg Center box office at (215) 898-3900 or visit www.AnnnenbergCenter.org.
Written by Kimberly Roberts Anyone who has ever donned a pair of tap shoes, or wished that they could, should rush down to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a performance of “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute to the Legends of Tap,” featuring special guest star, Maurice Hines. maurice

Maurice Hines pays tribute to his brother, Gregory Hines, at “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute To The Legends Of Tap,” at the Annenberg Center on Wednesday. – PHOTO/ROBERT MENDELSOHN


Now playing through Oct. 10, “Thank You, Gregory,” the opening production of Dance Celebration’s 28th season titled “The Magic of Movement,” pays homage to “tap’s leading ambassador,” Gregory Hines, acknowledging him as “the bridge” between the Golden Age of tap dancing and the high powered hoofers of today.
“Thank You Gregory” is a multimedia production featuring entertaining, and in some cases, mind-blowing footage of such legends as Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, The Nicholas Brothers, Eleanor Powell, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Donald O’Connor, Honi Coles, Ray Bolger, John Bubbles and Gene Kelly. The tap tradition is continued live onstage by a supremely talented cast that includes Chloe Arnold, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, Donovan Helma, Heather Holohan, Kendrick Jones, Brent McBeth, Susan Nase and Melinda Sullivan, as well as principal dancer Jason Samuels Smith.
The rollicking production is ably accompanied by a live band comprised of Theo Hill (piano), Joe Fonda (bass) and a flashy female drummer who goes by Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks.
After high-energy salutes to “A Few Tap Legends,” “Fred Astaire and His Dance Partners,” “The Eccentrics & Classic Vaudeville,” and “The Kings of Rhythm Tap,” including Philadelphia’s own LaVaughn Robinson, Maurice Hines took the stage.
The essence of Old Hollywood, Hines, now 66 years-old and totally fabulous, charmed and captivated the audience with old family photos and anecdotes about his life and career with his little brother. Then, dancing next to an empty spotlight before a photo montage, Maurice danced the very first routine that he and Gregory, a Tony and Emmy Award winner who died from cancer at age 57, ever performed together. Gregory was only five years old, and Maurice was seven.
This poignant moment was followed by Maurice’s jazzy and joyous rendition of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Performing with charisma and an energy that equaled his much younger cast mates, Hines, who will star in a revival of the Broadway musical “Sophisticated Ladies” next year, demonstrated why his career continues to thrive after six decades in the business.
I learned from an 80-year-old female hoofer that in the world of tap, women “are not allowed to ‘overdance’ the men.” Apparently, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, who served as captain and a principal dancer for Broadway’s “Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk,” never received that memo, or has simply (and appropriately) chosen to ignore it. A pint-sized powerhouse, Sumbry-Edwards, who was given a solo spot in “Hoofer’s Line,” put on a dazzling display of fancy footwork that would stand up against any challenger, including the show’s celebrated Emmy Award winner, Jason Samuels Smith. The show concluded with the traditional Shim Sham Shimmy, and members of the audience were invited to join the cast onstage.
Directed by Ann Marie De Angelo and written by Tony Waag, with whimsical costumes by Charles Schoonmaker, “Thank You Gregory” is a joyous celebration of Gregory Hines, the most devoted steward of a uniquely American art form.
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 3680 Walnut St. For tickets call the Annenberg Center box office at (215) 898-3900 or visit www.AnnnenbergCenter.org.
Written by Kimberly Roberts Anyone who has ever donned a pair of tap shoes, or wished that they could, should rush down to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a performance of “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute to the Legends of Tap,” featuring special guest star, Maurice Hines. maurice

Maurice Hines pays tribute to his brother, Gregory Hines, at “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute To The Legends Of Tap,” at the Annenberg Center on Wednesday. – PHOTO/ROBERT MENDELSOHN


Now playing through Oct. 10, “Thank You, Gregory,” the opening production of Dance Celebration’s 28th season titled “The Magic of Movement,” pays homage to “tap’s leading ambassador,” Gregory Hines, acknowledging him as “the bridge” between the Golden Age of tap dancing and the high powered hoofers of today.
“Thank You Gregory” is a multimedia production featuring entertaining, and in some cases, mind-blowing footage of such legends as Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, The Nicholas Brothers, Eleanor Powell, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Donald O’Connor, Honi Coles, Ray Bolger, John Bubbles and Gene Kelly. The tap tradition is continued live onstage by a supremely talented cast that includes Chloe Arnold, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, Donovan Helma, Heather Holohan, Kendrick Jones, Brent McBeth, Susan Nase and Melinda Sullivan, as well as principal dancer Jason Samuels Smith.
The rollicking production is ably accompanied by a live band comprised of Theo Hill (piano), Joe Fonda (bass) and a flashy female drummer who goes by Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks.
After high-energy salutes to “A Few Tap Legends,” “Fred Astaire and His Dance Partners,” “The Eccentrics & Classic Vaudeville,” and “The Kings of Rhythm Tap,” including Philadelphia’s own LaVaughn Robinson, Maurice Hines took the stage.
The essence of Old Hollywood, Hines, now 66 years-old and totally fabulous, charmed and captivated the audience with old family photos and anecdotes about his life and career with his little brother. Then, dancing next to an empty spotlight before a photo montage, Maurice danced the very first routine that he and Gregory, a Tony and Emmy Award winner who died from cancer at age 57, ever performed together. Gregory was only five years old, and Maurice was seven.
This poignant moment was followed by Maurice’s jazzy and joyous rendition of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Performing with charisma and an energy that equaled his much younger cast mates, Hines, who will star in a revival of the Broadway musical “Sophisticated Ladies” next year, demonstrated why his career continues to thrive after six decades in the business.
I learned from an 80-year-old female hoofer that in the world of tap, women “are not allowed to ‘overdance’ the men.” Apparently, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, who served as captain and a principal dancer for Broadway’s “Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk,” never received that memo, or has simply (and appropriately) chosen to ignore it. A pint-sized powerhouse, Sumbry-Edwards, who was given a solo spot in “Hoofer’s Line,” put on a dazzling display of fancy footwork that would stand up against any challenger, including the show’s celebrated Emmy Award winner, Jason Samuels Smith. The show concluded with the traditional Shim Sham Shimmy, and members of the audience were invited to join the cast onstage.
Directed by Ann Marie De Angelo and written by Tony Waag, with whimsical costumes by Charles Schoonmaker, “Thank You Gregory” is a joyous celebration of Gregory Hines, the most devoted steward of a uniquely American art form.
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 3680 Walnut St. For tickets call the Annenberg Center box office at (215) 898-3900 or visit www.AnnnenbergCenter.org.
Written by Kimberly Roberts Anyone who has ever donned a pair of tap shoes, or wished that they could, should rush down to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a performance of “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute to the Legends of Tap,” featuring special guest star, Maurice Hines Written by Kimberly Roberts Anyone who has ever donned a pair of tap shoes, or wished that they could, should rush down to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a performance of “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute to the Legends of Tap,” featuring special guest star, Maurice Hines

Written by Kimberly Roberts

Anyone who has ever donned a pair of tap shoes, or wished that they could, should rush down to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a performance of “Thank You Gregory, A Tribute to the Legends of Tap,” featuring special guest star, Maurice Hines.


Now playing through Oct. 10, “Thank You, Gregory,” the opening production of Dance Celebration’s 28th season titled “The Magic of Movement,” pays homage to “tap’s leading ambassador,” Gregory Hines, acknowledging him as “the bridge” between the Golden Age of tap dancing and the high powered hoofers of today.
“Thank You Gregory” is a multimedia production featuring entertaining, and in some cases, mind-blowing footage of such legends as Sammy Davis, Jr., Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, The Nicholas Brothers, Eleanor Powell, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Donald O’Connor, Honi Coles, Ray Bolger, John Bubbles and Gene Kelly. The tap tradition is continued live onstage by a supremely talented cast that includes Chloe Arnold, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, Donovan Helma, Heather Holohan, Kendrick Jones, Brent McBeth, Susan Nase and Melinda Sullivan, as well as principal dancer Jason Samuels Smith.
The rollicking production is ably accompanied by a live band comprised of Theo Hill (piano), Joe Fonda (bass) and a flashy female drummer who goes by Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks.
After high-energy salutes to “A Few Tap Legends,” “Fred Astaire and His Dance Partners,” “The Eccentrics & Classic Vaudeville,” and “The Kings of Rhythm Tap,” including Philadelphia’s own LaVaughn Robinson, Maurice Hines took the stage.
The essence of Old Hollywood, Hines, now 66 years-old and totally fabulous, charmed and captivated the audience with old family photos and anecdotes about his life and career with his little brother. Then, dancing next to an empty spotlight before a photo montage, Maurice danced the very first routine that he and Gregory, a Tony and Emmy Award winner who died from cancer at age 57, ever performed together. Gregory was only five years old, and Maurice was seven.
This poignant moment was followed by Maurice’s jazzy and joyous rendition of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Performing with charisma and an energy that equaled his much younger cast mates, Hines, who will star in a revival of the Broadway musical “Sophisticated Ladies” next year, demonstrated why his career continues to thrive after six decades in the business.
I learned from an 80-year-old female hoofer that in the world of tap, women “are not allowed to ‘overdance’ the men.” Apparently, Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards, who served as captain and a principal dancer for Broadway’s “Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk,” never received that memo, or has simply (and appropriately) chosen to ignore it. A pint-sized powerhouse, Sumbry-Edwards, who was given a solo spot in “Hoofer’s Line,” put on a dazzling display of fancy footwork that would stand up against any challenger, including the show’s celebrated Emmy Award winner, Jason Samuels Smith. The show concluded with the traditional Shim Sham Shimmy, and members of the audience were invited to join the cast onstage.
Directed by Ann Marie De Angelo and written by Tony Waag, with whimsical costumes by Charles Schoonmaker, “Thank You Gregory” is a joyous celebration of Gregory Hines, the most devoted steward of a uniquely American art form.
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 3680 Walnut St. For tickets call the Annenberg Center box office at (215) 898-3900 or visit www.AnnnenbergCenter.org.

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