MAURICE HINES

Star of stage, screen and television, Maurice Hines connected his acclaimed career at the age of five, studying tap at the Henry LeTang Dance Studio in New York City.  Mr. LeTang recognized his extraordinary talents and was soon choreographing numbers specifically for Maurice and his brother Gregorey Hines.

Soon the brothers were appearing on Broadway and touring as the opening act for such headliners as Lionel Hampton and Gypsy Rose Lee.  Their father then joined the act and shortly thereafter “Hines Hines & Dad” was performing to rave reviews in New York, Las Vegas and Europe.  The group also appeared on many television shows including THE PEARL BAILEY, HOLLYWOOD PALACE AND 35 appearances on THE TONIGHT SHOW.

Mr. Hines pursued a solo career and success soon followed when he was chosen to star as Nathan Detroit in the National Touring Company of GUYS and DOLLS.  After his thrilling performance, Broadway beckoned and Mr. Hines created a sensation during the 1978-1979 season with his singing and dancing in the hit musical EUBIE! He followed this performance with the celebrated roles co-starring in BRING BACK BIRDIE with Chita Rivera and Donald O’Connor and starring in SOPHISTICATED LADIES.

Next, Mr. Hines made his big screen debut in the Frances Ford Coppal’s “The Cotton Club.” As the film hit theaters across the country, so did Ballet Tap USA, a dance company created by Mr. Hines and Mercedes Ellington.

Mr. Hines then conceived, directed and choreographed the Musical UPTOWN…IT’S HOT which for 17 sold out weeks in Atlantic City.  He joined the cast when the show moved to Broadway and received a 1986 Tony Award nomination as Best Actor in a Musical.

He followed this achievement by co-directing and choreographing the National Tour of the musical SATCHMO produced by Kenneth Feld.  As one of the few stars who truly loves the road, Mr. Hines then directed, choreographed and starred in the National Tour of the musical HARLEM SUITE with successive leading ladies, Jennifer Holiday, Stephanie Mill and Melba Moore.

Following these successful stage runs, Mr. Hines turned his attention to direction and choreographing music videos, including I’LL BE GOOD TO YOU, the first release off of Quincy Jones BACK ON THE BLOCK album.  Mr. Hines has directed the RADIO CITY SPECTACULAR (the first African-American director for Radio City Music Hall).  In the 1994-1995 season, Mr. Hines starred as Jelly Roll Morton in the forty city first-class National Tour of the musical JELLY’S LAST JAM.  He recently returned to the role of Nathan Detroit in the first-class National Tour of GUY’S AND DOLLS.

Mr. Hines is currently in pre-production for YO ALICE, the new urban hip-hop fantasy he conceived and will direct and choreograph.  YO ALICE is being produced as a film and live production.  His critically acclaimed jazz album, “Maurice” is on the Arbors label.  He is also directing the life story of Ella Fitzgerald.  As always, all of Mr. Hines performances are dedicated to his mother, Alma, Susan Weaving and his manager, Stanley Kay.