Acclaimed singer, dancer and comedian Sandy Duncan will take center stage at Shelton School November 8th, 8:45 am., when she’ll share personal and professional stories with Shelton’s high school theater and choir students and their parents. Duncan, one of America’s longtime favorites of stage and television, is best known for her performances in the Broadway revival of Peter Pan and in the sitcom The Hogan Family. She has been nominated for three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Most recently, on Broadway, Ms. Duncan performed the lead role of Roxie in the hit musical Chicago.
Duncan was raised in Tyler, Texas, where she began dancing at age five. No stranger to Dallas, her career was launched at age 12 on stage with the Dallas Summer Musicals’ production of The King and I. Since that time, she’s charmed Dallas audiences numerous times over the decades.
Duncan’s connections to Shelton are unique. She is a longstanding friend of Anné Hughes, Shelton’s Director of Fine Arts. Tom Hughes (1931 – 1994), Anné’s husband, who was the face of the Dallas Summer Musicals for 33 years as producer and managing director, is the one who first saw Duncan audition for The King and I. He recognized her standout talent and cast her in her first role. Some seven years later, he furthered her career when he escorted the 19-year-old Duncan to New York City and introduced her to new casting directors and agents. That led to four summer performances around the country, which truly launched Duncan’s career and crystalized her decision to make theater her life’s work.
The rest is history. Duncan will share that story with Shelton students, including highlights of her career.
Duncan figures prominently in the book My Life with Tom Hughes: A Personal Story of the “Musicals Man” of Dallas, published this past year by Anné Hughes. Duncan will autograph copies of the book that will be available following her presentation.
“We’re so excited for our aspiring students to share this time with Sandy Duncan,” says Shelton Executive Director Suzanne Stell. “Her Texas roots, down-to-earth nature and passion for her artistry will be an inspiration to all of us. It’s especially nice that we are connected through her relationship with Anné and Tom Hughes.”