Duke Ellington's SOPHISTICED LADIES to Tour NYC Public Schools

To Celebrate Black History Month, New York City's leading arts-education non-profit organization Inside Broadway (www.InsideBroadway.org) will present the classic Duke Ellington musical Sophisticated Ladies to over 25 N.Y.C. Public Schools throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens & The Bronx at the end of January and during February & March. A dancing and singing celebration of history & music, this award-winning Broadway musical examines Duke Ellington's life and focuses on the Harlem Renaissance, a unique time of cultural growth in New York's history. Inside Broadway's special production will tour schools beginning next week, with the first performance on Monday, January 25th. Performances are scheduled at the end of January and throughout the months of February & March.

Since 1982, Inside Broadway (Founder/Executive Director, Michael Presser) has impacted the lives of nearly one million New York City public school students with its one-of-a-kind arts & education programs that educate & foster new generations of theatergoers. From Broadway stages at shows like Wicked & Finding Neverland right into the classroom, Inside Broadway is now in its 34th year of offering live theatre programs that enrich the lives of thousands of kids each year.

Sophisticated Ladies is a musical revue showcasing the songs of band leader & composer Duke Ellington, a true American legend. In his 50 year career, he won 13 Grammy Awards, received a Pulitzer Prize & Medal of Freedom and had his image put on a postage stamp. This award-winning musical examines Ellington's life and focuses on the Harlem Renaissance, a unique time of cultural growth in New York's history. Ellington was a major contributor to the Harlem Renaissance and is still considered an icon in the music industry. He was an innovator who opened up doors for many performers who would come after him. Inside Broadway's production has been especially created for New York City's public school students who will be introduced to such classic songs as "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing", "Take The A Train", "Sentimental Mood" and many more.

The production is Directed/Choreographed by Barry McNabb & the cast features Michael Everett, Bryant Montalvo, Danea C. Osseni & Valerie Lynn Williams. Nicholas Sala is Associate Producer, Denis Zepeda is Technical Director and Brendan J. O'Brien is Production Stage Manager.

Inside Broadway was established in 1982 by Michael Presser. Today, Inside Broadway reaches over 30,000 New York City students each year and develops and produces touring Equity musical productions as well as a wide range of educational programs that allow participants to interact with professionals in the field and experience theatre hands-on in the classroom. Programs of Inside Broadway are funded by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council, New York City Department of Education, and numerous foundations and individuals.

For more information on Inside Broadway, please visit www.InsideBroadway.org.