Ella
September 9 - October 12, 2008
Book by Jeffrey Hatcher
Conceived by Rob Ruggiero and Dyke Garrison
Musical Direction and Arrangements by Danny Holgate
Directed by Rob Ruggiero

The Story: It's 1966. At a concert hall in Nice, France, “the nice one,” Ella Fitzgerald rehearses for a performance. For once, the great lady of jazz is not sure she'll be able to live up to her promise. She's just returned from her sister's funeral and she may have lost the last bit of family she ever had. But the music has healing power, and the queen of scat was never one to leave her audiences wanting.

Click here to download a video clip of Ella.
(courtesy of Cincinnati Playhouse - 2.1 MB - MOV)

The Experience: Hot music and a cool band spotlight the first lady of jazz in a sizzling production that serves up over a dozen of Ella Fitzgerald's greatest hits.

The Buzz
“Truly soars!” - The Washington Post
“Positively got that swing!” - San Diego Union Tribune

The Fine Print: Recommended for middle school and older.