December 30, 2023 @ 12:39 PM
We mourn the loss of the incredible Maurice Hines, who loomed large in Broadway, TV, and film by showcasing his exceptional tap dancing skills as a dancer, choreographer, and actor. Maurice’s close friends revealed the sad news of his passing on Friday.
Debbie Allen, who co-starred with Hines in the all-Black cast of the 2001 tour of “Guys and Dolls,” shared a moving tribute on social media, saying “I will always treasure our journey together. My tears are for my inability to speak with you or to hold you. I will always speak your name.”
Renowned for his performance in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Cotton Club,” Hines thrilled audiences with his talent. His outstanding Broadway credits include “Eubie!,” “Sophisticated Ladies,” and “Bring Back Birdie,” as well as “Uptown…It’s Hot!” and “Hot Feet,” both of which were his creations, choreography, and direction. In 1986, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in “Uptown…It’s Hot!”
Maurice Hines made his remarkable Broadway debut at 5-years-old, sharing the stage with his brother Gregory (who died in 2003), in the 1954 production of “The Girl in Pink Tights,” featuring a tap dancing act reminiscent of the famed Nicholas Brothers.
First performing as the Hines Kids, the siblings then became the Hines Brothers before including their father, Maurice Sr., into the act, which was subsequently known as Hines, Hines & Dad. The trio became regulars at New York City’s Apollo Theater and appeared on “The Pearl Bailey Show” and “The Tonight Show.”
Though the brothers took different career paths, Maurice and Gregory reunited for a 1979 Broadway production of “Eubie!” and portrayed brothers Clayton Williams and Sandman Williams in the 1984 film “The Cotton Club.” The movie’s “Crazy Rhythm!” tap number showcased their rare brotherly bond, captured beautifully in a 2008 interview.
Parallel to their roles in “The Cotton Club,” the Williams brothers’ on-screen reconciliation mirrored their real-life reconciliation following a decade-long dispute. Maurice celebrated Gregory in his 2016 show “Maurice Hines Is Tappin’ Through Life,” ensuring his brother would never be forgotten after his tragic passing due to cancer in 2003.
Hines made his mark as a choreographer with “Harlem Suite,” a production in which he also shined as a performer, and the Louis Armstrong musical “Satchmo” as well as “Havana Night in Cuba.” Maurice’s extraordinariness caught the attention of fans and industry peers, making him the subject of the documentary “Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back,” which was executive produced by Allen.
