André De Shields will perform his one-man tribute to Louis Amstrong on Sunday, Aug. 18 at London's Criterion Theatre.
Entitled "Ambassador Satch: The Life and Times of Louis Armstrong," De Shields co-wrote the show with James Mirrione. A benefit for TheatreCares, the evening will include such songs as "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Black & Blue" and "What a Wonderful World." De Shields will be backed by Terry Waldo on piano, David Grego (tuba/double bass), Kenneth Crutchfield (drums/percussion), Dan Levin (tenor saxophone, clarinet) and Eddie Allen (trumpet).
Nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in The Full Monty, De Shields is currently re-creating his role as Noah "Horse" T. Simmons in the London production. He will stay with the London company through Aug. 31. De Shields received another Tony nomination for his performance in Play On! and also starred on Broadway in The Wiz, Ain't Misbehavin' and Haarlem Nocturne.
Tickets for "Ambassador Satch" are priced at £15 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster in London at 011 44 207 314 2961.
Based in London, TheatreCares — formerly known as West End Cares — is the theatrical division of Crusaid, the national fundraiser for those living with the challenges of HIV and AIDS and is an ongoing response from the British theatre community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. —By Andrew Gans
