Tommy Tune, actor, dancer, singer, choreographer and director is the winner of nine Tony
Awards, and the only person in theatrical history to win in four different categories and to win the
same two Tony Awards two years in a row.
Tommy danced onto the Broadway scene in the chorus of Baker Street in 1965 and hasn't
stopped since. He worked in the chorus' of A Joyful Noise in 1967 and How Now Dow Jones in 1968. He garnered raves and his first Tony (Best Featured Actor in a Musical) in Michael Bennett's Seesaw in
1973. Branching out, he directed his first show, the off-Broadway production of The Club in 1976.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was his next venture, followed by
A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine and his second Tony. Tommy returned to off-Broadway in 1981 to direct Caryl Churchhill's Cloud 9. 1982 brought Nine and his third Tony (Best Direction of a Musical). Mr. Tune pulled double duty in My One and Only and was rewarded with his fourth and fifth Tonys (Best Choreography, Best Actor in a Musical). This was followed by Steppin Out, and he received his next two Tonys with Grand Hotel (Best Choreography, Best Direction of a Musical). The following year brought The Will Rogers Follies and his next two Tony Awards, (Best Choreography, Best Direction of a Musical). Not satisfied to remain stationary, Mr. Tune returned to the stage in his
acclaimed one-man song and dance extravaganza, Tommy Tune Tonight!, first on Broadway and then touring nationally and internationally.
Mr. Tune is the recipient of eight Drama Desk awards, two Obie Awards, Dance Magazine's Award for Lifetime Achievement; the 1990 American Dance Award (presented by the National Academy of Dance); the 1990 Drama League Musical Theatre Award for Direction and Choreography; the Astaire Award in both 1990 and 1991; the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement; the University of Texas' Distinguished Alumnus Award; and the Jean Cocteau International Style Award. He was also named to the Top 10 international Best Dressed List of 1992.
Andy Warhol once said that Tommy Tune "exudes 1 cultivated serenity and a genuine love of life." And of his unique talents as a director/choreographer, the New York Times proclaimed: "Mr. Tune has reshuffled the elements of the old-style musical into state of the art." The 6'6" tall Texan his been a fixture on Broadway since leaving Houston, where he began tap, acrobatics and ballet lessons at the
age of 5. He majored in drama at the University of Texas and the University of Houston. Drama critic John Simon described him "as long on talent as on legs', a sentiment echoed around the globe by critics and audiences alike.
Tune has shied away from Hollywood, appearing in only two films early in his career. He played Ambrose Kemper in the movie version of Hello, Dolly!, directed by Gene Kelly and starring Barbra Streisand; and, after working as assistant choreographer for The Dean Martin Show on television, he was featured in Ken Russell's The Boyfriend, starring Twiggy. The two were reunited on Broadway in My One and Only.
Tune also toured the United States and Canada in the musical classic Bye Bye Birdie, directed by Gene Saks.
Tommy Tune has been invited to sing and dance for three U.S. presidents, the Queen of England and the Royal Family of Monaco. In 1991, he was inducted by Gwen Verdon into the Theatre Hall of Fame in Broadway's Gershwin Theatre.
In 1994 he was honored with his own stir on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located, appropriately enough, directly in front of Capuio's.
Tommy has just completed recording an album of romantic ballads entitled Slow Dancin' on the
RCA label.
More about
Manhattan Rhythm Kings |
Known for their Polished performances of American popular music from the '20's, '30's,
and '40's, the Manhattan Rhythm Kings have gained a large and enthusiastic following across the
country. While frequently compared with such musical greats as the Mills Brothers and Paul
Whiteman's Rhythm Boys, the trio has established a unique character of its own with a
combination of dose harmony singing, virtuosic instrumental work and spectacular tap dancing.
The Rhythm Kings started performing together in 1980 on the sidewalks of New York.
From there these song and dance men graduated to playing in some of the Big Apple's top night
spots.
It was their sparkling combination of song and dance that first attracted the attention of
Broadway's Tommy Tune. In 1984, Mr. Tune asked the trio to help him assemble an act based
on songs written by Fred Astaire. After performing together in venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall
and Atlantic City's Trump Plaza, they traveled to the former Soviet Union, where they
commanded standing ovations in Moscow, Tblisi, and St. Petersburg.
The Rhythm Kings have made numerous appearances on PBS, most notably 'Evening at
Pops" with John Williams, Tommy Tune, and the Boston Pops, as well as the Emmy
award-winning 'Celebrating Gershwin" with conductor Michael Tilson-Thomas. In addition,
they'll be appearing in concert on their own special for Nebraska Public Television, Other
television credits include "The 1992 Tony Awards", the 'Today" show, 'CBS This Morning",
'Entertainment Tonight", and 'As the World Turns", as well as several appearances on 'The
Charles Grodin Show".
The Manhattan Rhythm Kings have shared the stage with Bob Hope, George Burns,
Dom Deluise, Judy Collins, Gregory Hines, and Garrison Keillor. They also appeared
at Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes as part of Peter Alien's Easter Spectacular.
In 1992, the Manhattan Rhythm Kings were back on Broadway, this time indoors, at the
Shubert Theatre. There they were featured as Moose, Sam and Mingo, a trio of crooning
bumpkins, in the 'new" Gershwin musical 'Crazy for You', winner of three 1992 Tony
awards, including Best Musical and Best Choreography.
1')96 has been a busy year as well. In addition to spending many an evening onstage with
their friend Sandy Duncan, they released their 4th album 'Hooray For Spinach: the Music of
Harry Warren" for Cabaret Records, and most recently filmed a TV special for PBS with Tommy
Tune, Maureen McGovern and the Dallas Symphony, which will also be released on CD.
The Kings were chosen to fly to Bangkok with Faith Prince to entertain the folks from Conde
Nast's 'Traveler' Magazine, and to perform with the New York Pops at Canegic Hall. In
addition solo performances with orchestras in Honolulu, Phoenix, Long Beach, Jacksonville and
Charlotte, to name a few, will highlight the 97-98 season.
What the critics are saying about
Tommy Tune & the Manhattan Rhythm Kings...
"It's sublime artistry...embodies gracefulness, proportion...
Chicago Tribune
"This is a show that sparkles with class, radiating good humor; it's got glitter all through...It's a
breath of flesh air, showbiz style, full of grand dancing, clever choreography.. .featuring some
magnificent tap dancing by Tune and the Rhythm King;...
San Francisco Examiner
"Wonderfull...a magical evening ...
the Toronto Sun
...a splashy, stylish song and dance review that [was] pure Broadway...it's hopelessly sunny...it's
also completely irresistable...Tune is a captivating tap dancer, one who can relish tap's lickety-
split zing, capture it's living suspense and wrench glamour from its difficulties...the show is
frolicsome, lighthearted, sentimental, but full of breathless tap dancing...
Chicago Tribune
"A whirling concoction of polished routines that were stamped with Pure class...a dazzling display
of dexterity...
Toronto Star
"Do the Manhattan Rhythm Kings have rhythm? Nope.'They've got rhythm and a half"
People Magazine
"Tommy Tune has the longest legs in show business...Count in his thousand watt smile, his
ten-gallon charm, and the broad reach of his talents, and you've got a thoroughly winning
entertainer...
The Star Ledger
