PHOTO FLASH: Marge Champion, Mercedes Ellington, Helen Gallagher, et al. at Donald Saddler Tribute Performance

Choreographer/dancer/theatre director Donald Saddler was awarded the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts’ 1st Annual Duke Ellington “Beyond Category” Award at a special tribute performance held in Merkin Concert Hall at the Elaine Kaufman Center, on Monday, June 13.

The evening was produced and hosted by Mercedes Ellington, a choreographer/dancer who worked with Saddler on several productions. She is also the granddaughter of the legendary Duke Ellington and Founder and President of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts. The award show was a fundraiser in support of the Duke Ellington Arts Scholarship Fund.

The entertainment portion of the evening included renowned pianists Frank Owens and Jon Weber, who performed numbers reflecting the changing musical tastes of the six decades in which Saddler performed, choreographed and directed on Broadway, on television and in feature films.

Appearances were made by many dance world luminaries whose careers were influenced by Saddler, including Marge Champion, Carmen De Lavallade, Helen Gallagher, and Valentina Kozlova.

Saddler, who currently resides in The Actor’s Home in Englewood, NJ, was unfortunately not well enough to attend the tribute.