Dirk Decloedt and Maurice Hines Ready In the Pocket for B'way
Decloedt has never before directed a Broadway musical. He served as the projection content designer for Celine Dion's A New Day concert at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. He has also worked on a variety of other fashion shows, corporate events and performing arts pieced. Among his best known credits are This is not a fashion show for Natan Delvaux, Olivier Strelli and Kaat Tilley in London, Prêt à porter Walter Van Beirendonck in Paris, New Technology Summit for Bill Gates in Brussels, Designing the Future for Philippe Starck in Barcelona and Liberty Dance in Tunisia. He was also the artistic director for Bois du Cazier, a projection and light exhibit presented in Belgium in the fall of 2002.
Hines, who began his career as a performer, previously worked as a Broadway choreographer for Uptown… It's Hot!. Hhe also conceived, directed and starred in earning a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical that musical revue. He followed that piece by co-directing and choreographing the national tour of Satchmo and then directed, choreographed and starred in the national tour of Harlem Suite. His other behind-the-scenes credits include directing and choreographing Havana Night in Cuba and an all-Latin version of The Red Shoes in the Dominican Republic.
In the Pocket features music by Coleman, lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and a book by Larry Gelbart. With 16 original songs, it offers a glimpse into the world of jazz artists. Each of the original compositions tells a complete story about the joys and perils a single jazz performer encounters once away from the shelter of the bandstand.
The show, then titled Like Jazz, premiered at the Mark Taper Forum to mixed reviews in the winter of 2003. That mounting was directed by Gordon Davidson and choreographed by Patricia Birch. Patti Austin, Lillias White, Cleavant Derricks, Harry Groener, Jack Sheldon and Jennifer Chada starred. Jennifer Holliday filled in for Patti Austin for five performances.