Photo Flash: MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE Celebrates Opening at Arena Stage

Lifelong performer and Tony Award nominee Maurice Hines (Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Eubie!) captivates audiences with stories, songs and smooth choreography for his return to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Hines, who started performing at five years old, brings the history of American tap to life and pays tribute to his brother Gregory and the singers who inspired him, from Frank Sinatra toLena Horne. A co-production with ALLIANCE THEATRE at the Woodruff and Cleveland Play House, Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life runs now through December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Scroll down for photos from the opening night reception, featuring Maurice Hines, cast members and brothers John & Leo Manzari and Max & Sam Heimowitz, director Jeff Calhoun, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith, Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton!

In a nod to the future of tap, Hines showcases the talents of two local sets of tap-dancing brothers: D.C. favorites John and Leo Manzari and newcomers and 13-year-old twins Max and Sam Heimowitz, who burst onto the scene after being plucked by Hines to make their professional debuts from recent open call dance auditions held at the Mead Center. The Heimowitz Brothers, seventh-graders at Alice Deal Middle School and members of Capitol Tap, embody the next generation of tapping talent together with John and Leo, now 21 and 18, respectively, who reunite with their mentor Hines after their whirlwind run performing alongside him in Arena Stage's record-breaking Sophisticated Ladies, which earned them each a Helen Hayes Award nomination.

Hines is backed by nine members of the internationally renowned DIVA Jazz Orchestra, an all-female powerhouse ensemble. Voted one of the best big bands in the world by DownBeat Magazine, DIVA is led by music director, drummer and longtime Hines collaborator Sherrie Maricle and features D.C.-area natives Janelle Gill (piano), Jennifer Krupa (trombone), Leigh Pilzer (baritone sax), Amy Shook (acoustic bass) and Liesl Whitaker (lead trumpet), along with Sharel Cassity (lead alto sax), Jami Dauber (trumpet) and Camille Thurman (tenor sax).

Tickets for Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life are $50-$99, subject to change and based on availability, plus applicable fees. For information on savings programs such as student discounts, Southwest Nights, Pay-Your-Age tickets, Family Fun Packs, HOTTIX and Hero's Discounts, visit arenastage.org/shows-tickets/single-tickets/savings-programs/. Tickets may be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 Sixth St., SW, D.C.

Photo Credit: Cameron Whitman Photography

Suzanne Blue Star Boy, Maurice Hines and Artistic Director Molly Smith

Director Jeff Calhoun and Artistic Director Molly SmithJohn and Leo Manzari

John and Leo Manzari

Max Heimowitz, John Manzari, Maurice Hines, Leo Manzari and Sam Heimowitz

Director Jeff Calhoun and Maurice Hines

Laura Denise (wife of Claudio Bisogniero), Artistic Director Molly Smith and Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero

Leo Manzari embraces Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Maurice Hines, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Leo and John Manzari

Cast members of Arena Stageâ€s upcoming Guess Whoâ€s Coming to Dinner (Tess Malis Kincaid, Bethany Anne Lind, Eugene Lee, Valerie Leonard, Michael Russotto and Tom Key)

Artistic Director Molly Smith introduces the company of Maurice Hines is Tappin†Thru Life at the opening night reception