Photo Flash: Andre De Shields & Lillias White Visit MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE

MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers, John and Leo, and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun. Performances began December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opened January 11th. Last night, GOTTA DANCE stars André De Shields and Lillias White visited with Hines and the Manzari Brothers after the show. Check out the photos below.

Hines directed and choreographed De Shields in the role of Victor, in the pre-Broadway lab of the Earth, Wind and Fire musical HOT FEET in 2005. Last August, John Manzari performed as The Tin Man opposite De Shields' titular role in SummerStage's 40th Anniversary Tribute to The WIZ.

Hines began working when he was five years old and his brother Gregory was three. He shares funny and heartbreaking experiences about his life with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, Judy Garland and many others. The show is a tribute to his loving family, both on stage and off.

MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE plays at New World Stages, (340 W. 50th Street). Performances are Wednesday at 8pm, Thursday at 2pm and 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday at 3pm, and Monday at 8pm. Tickets, priced at $95, are available at Telecharge.com, 1-212-239-6280 Visitwww.TappinThruLife.com for additional information.

Photo Credit: Kate Croasdale