Maurice Hines
MAURICE HINES star of stage, screen and TV, began his acclaimed career at 5, studying tap at Henry LeTang Studio in New York. LeTang recognized his extraordinary talents and began choreographing numbers specifically for Maurice and his brother, who soon were appearing on Broadway and touring as the opening act for headliners such as Lionel Hampton and Gypsy Rose Lee. Their father joined the act, and Hines, Hines & Dad was performing to rave reviews in New York, Las Vegas, and Europe. The group appeared on many TV shows, including The Pearl Bailey Show, Hollywood Palace and 35 appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Hines pursued a solo career and success soon followed when he was chosen to star as Nathan Detroit in the national tour of Guys and Dolls. After his thrilling performance, Broadway beckoned, and Hines created a sensation in the 1978/79 season with his singing and dancing in the hit Eubie! He followed this with celebrated roles co-starring in Bring Back Birdie with Chita Rivera and Donald O'Connor and starring in Sophisticated Ladies. Next, Hines made his screen debut in Francis Ford Coppola's The Cotton Club. As the film hit theaters, so did Ballet USA, a dance company created by Hines and Mercedes Ellington. Hines then conceived, directed and choreographed Uptown...It's Hot!, which played 17 sold-out weeks in Atlantic City. He joined the cast when they moved to Broadway and received a 1986 Tony nom as Best Actor in a Musical. He followed this by co-directing and choreographing the national tour of Satchmo, produced by Kenneth Feld. As one of the few stars who truly loves the road, Hines directed, choreographed and starred in the national tour of Harlem Suite, with successive leading ladies Jennifer Holliday, Stephanie Mills and Melba Moore. Following these successful runs, Hines turned his attention to directing and choreographing music videos, including "I'll Be Good to You," the first release off Quincy Jones' Back on the Block. Hines also has directed The Radio City Spectacular - the first African-American director for Radio City Music Hall. In the 1994/95 season, Hines starred as Jelly Roll Morton in the national tour of Jelly's Last Jam. He then returned to the role of Nathan Detroit in the first-class national tour of Guys and Dolls. In 2006, Hines, collaborating with Maurice White, choreographed and directed the hip-hop musical Hot Feet featuring the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. Hines is currently preparing the one-man show Maurice Hines, Comin' Home, as well as doing a national tour of Blues in the Night, for which he won the 2007 San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award as Best Actor in a Musical. Hines has completed his first ballet at BalletMet for Stevie Wonder, to premiere this year. His performances are dedicated to his late mother Alma, Susan Weaving, and his manager for more than 30 years, Stanley Kay. Bio as of June, 2010. American Theatre Wing programs, interviews and/or credits include: Working in the Theatre (video) Performance - April, 1986 - Watch now. Internet Broadway Database Listing (IBDB.com)