Dancer, singer, actor takes Hamons Hall stage

An image of Gregory Hines dancing in tandem with Mikhail Baryshnikov is burned into my brain. In the mid-'80s film, "White Nights," the two demonstrated the differences in their crafts the ballet dancer strong and graceful, the tap dancer keenly rhythmic and tough. Together, their energy overwhelmed the movie screen and threatened to spill into the audience.

That energy will be the highlight of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Juanita K. Hammons Hall when Gregory Hines dancer, singer, actor and film star performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 6.

Underwriters

Hines' performance is a fund-raiser for the hall, too, and is partially underwritten by local media, KTXR, KY3 and Lamar Advertis-ing. Other underwriters are Nadia Cavner, Firstar Investment Ser-vices, and Bran-son Creek Golf Club.

Try to get there early because 45 minutes before the performance, Sara Brummell, assistant professor of theater and dance at Southwest Missouri State University, will introduce the performance on level five of the mezzanine balcony.

A champagne reception in honor of the 10th anniversary season will be held before the performance for those holding $75 gold circle tickets.

The reception is sponsored by Don Wessel and Carol Jones, Realtors. Hines, however, won't be in attendance at the reception. Other tickets are $39, $36 and $24.

Tony nominations

But back to Hines the tap dancer does more than dance. Hines earned three Tony nominations for his roles in "Sophisticated Ladies," "Eubie" and "Comin' Uptown" and received a 1992 Tony for best actor in a musical for his role in "Jelly's Last Jam."

Hines had his own television show on CBS and has demonstrated his comedic ability on the 2000 Emmy winning series "Will and Grace." He also starred in the comedies "Running Scared" and "A Rage in Harlem" and in the dramas "Tap," "The Cotton Club" and "Waiting to Exhale."

And he sings. If you've seen "White Nights" you were lucky enough to hear him sing a tune from "Porgy and Bess" in that film.

With his friend and singing colleague, Luther Vandross, Hines has recorded under the Epic label his own album, "Gregory Hines," as well as the soundtrack for "Tap."

Hines began performing professionally at age 5 when he and his older brother, Maurice, appeared as the Hines Kids. They practically grew up backstage at the Apollo Theater. Later, joined by their father, they became known as Hines, Hines and Dad.

Hines recently completed the principal production for Showtime's "Bojangles," a project he has fought to bring to the screen.