Actor Maurice Hines and the cast of "Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies" lent their time and talents to the annual Arena Stage Benefit for Community Engagement last night.
At the event, the 66-year-old choreographer and tapper showed his appreciation for first lady Michelle Obama -- arguably the D.C. crowd's most popular sophisticated lady -- by improvising a tap step mid-performance at the "direction" of the spirit of Duke Ellington.
"That's a hot step for Michelle Obama!" Hines said after concluding some fancy footwork.
But Hines later revealed his admiration for the first lady is eclipsed by feelings toward another fabulous female. Hines' mom claims top spot on his sophistication list, he told Niteside.
"Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies" runs through May 30th at the Lincoln Theater.
