(Philadelphia, PA)—Celebrate the “First Lady of Song" Ella Fitzgerald when ELLA, the highly-acclaimed musical about legendary singer Ella Fitzgerald, comes to Philadelphia for a limited engagement, March 22-27, 2011, at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring more than two-dozen hit songs, ELLA combines myth, memory and music into a stylish and sophisticated journey through the life of one of the greatest jazz singers of the 20th century. Broadway veteran Tina Fabrique, under the direction of Rob Ruggiero (Broadway: Looped starring Valerie Harper, upcoming High starring Kathleen Turner), captures the spirit and exuberance of the famed singer, performing such memorable tunes as “A-Tisket, A-Tasket," “That Old Black Magic," “They Can't Take That Away from Me" and “It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)."
ELLA marks the first time the Annenberg Center has presented a musical as part of its theatre series. Said Annenberg Center Managing Director Michael J. Rose, “ELLA will speak to a wide variety of audiences including Fitzgerald loyalists, musical theatre enthusiasts and jazz novices. We are pleased to have the opportunity to present this truly unique production featuring the incredible vocals of Tina Fabrique to Philadelphia audiences."
Performances of ELLA take place on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 PM; Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 PM; Friday, March 25 at 8:00 PM; Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM; and Sunday, March 27 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $20-$45 (weekday evening) a $20-$50 (weekend matinee and evening performances). For tickets or for more information, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office.
Dubbed “The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy® Awards and sold over 40 million albums. ELLA follows Fitzgerald and her accompanying musicians and manager over a rehearsal and performance of one of the most important concerts of her career. The setting is Nice, France, in 1966, when Fitzgerald was 51 years old. The concert marked a pivotal moment in Fitzgerald's career, both professionally and emotionally. It took place shortly after the death of Fitzgerald's beloved sister, Frances, and it was one of the first that was entirely filmed. Members of the band double as characters in Fitzgerald's life and career including Louis Armstrong, Chick Webb and Fitzgerald's husband Ray Brown.
Tina Fabrique created the role of Ella Fitzgerald in the world premiere at Hartford TheatreWorks in 2005. She has been honored with the 2007 Carbonell Award as Best Actress in a Musical for the Florida Stage engagement of ELLA and has been nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role at Arena Stage. Her Broadway credits include Dessa Rose at Lincoln Center; Ragtime; Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk; Truly Blessed; How to Succeed...; The Gospel at Colonus and Harlem Song. Her national tours include The Wiz, Bubbling Brown Sugar, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Once on This Island, South Pacific with Robert Goulet and How to Succeed.... Other New York credits include 70 Girls, 70 for City Center Encores! and Angel Levine at Jewish Repertory. Regionally, her many credits include The Women of Brewster Place, Crowns (Helen Hayes nomination), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Constant Star (Helen Hayes nomination) at Arena Stage; The Old Settler at Westport Theater; and The Glass Menagerie at Cleveland Play House. Fabrique was a featured soloist with The Duke Ellington Orchestra for several years touring in Europe and the United States. In 2005, Fabrique sang the theme song to the documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom." She is also the original voice of the Reading Rainbow theme song. Her television credits include “Law & Order: Criminal Intent," “When I Grow Up," “The Today Show," “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," “Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel," “All My Children" and “One Life to Live."
In addition to Fabrique in the title role, the cast also features an incredible talented combo of musicians: George Caldwell (pianist), Rodney Harper (drums), Ron Haynes (trumpet) and Cliff Kellam (bass). Harold Dixon stars as Norman Granz, Fitzgerald's producer and manager. Designing Ella are Michael Schweikart (set design), Alejo Vietti (costume design), John Lasiter (lighting design) and Michael Miceli (sound design). A complete list of cast bios is available upon request.
Joilet F. Harris, will assume the role of Ella for the matinee performance on Saturday, March 26. Harris won a 2007 Barrymore Award for Best Actress for her role in the Arden Theatre Company production Caroline, Or Change. Other recent theatre credits include Ain't Misbehavin' (Nell), Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle) and A Streetcar Named Desire (neighbor). Her TV credits include “The Wire" (Detective Caroline) and “Law & Order SVU." She has also had roles in movies such as The Perfect Witness, Animal Factory, Beloved and 12 Monkeys.
Ella premiered at the Hartford TheaterWorks in 2005 under the working title Ella: Off the Record and has spent the past five years touring small regional theaters throughout the country. Performances at the Annenberg Center are part of the first national tour of the production. The tour is presented by Eva Price for Maximum Entertainment Productions (Broadway: Colin Quinn Long Story Short directed by Jerry Seinfeld, The Merchant of Venice starting Al Pacino, The Addams Family, David Mamet's A Life in the Theatre, Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas).
Ella Dinner Package—Only $50!
Enjoy a night out this March with a delicious dinner and a musical tribute to the greatest jazz singer of all time, Ella Fitzgerald! Enjoy a special three-course dinner at Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar and a ticket to the show for only $50 per person. This special deal is available for the Ella performance on Tuesday, March 22. Visit the AnnenbergCenter.org to learn more.
Post-Show Talk Back with Tina Fabrique
Audiences members are invited to stay after the performance on Tuesday, March 22 for a special post-show chat with Ella star Tina Fabrique. The post-show chat is free for all ticketholders.
