Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song at MetroStage

Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song

MetroStage
1201 North Royal Street Alexandria

Fall in love with the magic and soul of Ella Fitzgerald all over again with this musical celebration of one of the most beloved jazz vocalists of all time. Ella, her cousin and traveling companion Georgiana, and her manager Norman Granz tell the story of her life both backstage and onstage, from her humble beginnings to worldwide superstardom. Featuring some of Fitzgerald's most famous hits including "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "How High the Moon" and "That Old Black Magic," this thrilling new musical weaves myth, memory and music to tell a poignant, yet ultimately uplifting, story. This production is conceived, directed and choreographed by the great Maurice Hines.

Thru - Mar 16, 2014

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 3:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays: 3:00pm & 7:00pm

Price: $55 - $60

Show Type: Musical

Running Time: 2 hours, with 1 intermission

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Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song Reviews

Average Rating based on 7 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...The upside is that a venue like MetroStage re-creates a platform for a brand of performance that's hard to find anymore. It's nightclub-sized and off-Broadway in spirit, and the music is typically well taken care of: Payne hopping easily up and down the scales is utterly worth hearing. And in a raw bottom line, the audience plainly doesn't come for supple writing. For them, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing."

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- Nelson Pressley

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

"...The press opening performance of Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song, conceived, directed, and choreographed by Maurice Hines, was a tour de force. I strongly recommend that anyone with an interest in early jazz, swing, be bop, Ella Fitzgerald, great vocals, or just having a great time in the theatre buy their tickets for this production immediately."

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- Bev Fleisher

MetroWeekly - Recommended

"...But then there isn't that much to the main roles here. We don't gain that much insight into Fitzgerald, the notoriously private woman. The show doesn't spend much time explicitly crediting Fitzgerald for turning so many show tunes into Great American Songbook standards in the first place. Instead, it simply asks Payne to sing and swing nearly two dozen songs from Fitzgerald's repertoire, including her signature renditions of "A Tisket A Tasket," "How High The Moon" and "Mack The Knife." And precisely because of Payne's mastery at performing as Fitzgerald, you're sure to leave the show on a good note, singing a good tune."

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- Doug Rule

Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended

"...The dynamic Freda Payne is the primary reason to see Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song, the latest biographical musical, at MetroStage in Alexandria, Virginia. While Lee Summers' book follows the "and-then-I-sang" template, the show receives a boost in authenticity from conceiver and director Maurice Hines, who worked with Ella during his own legendary career."

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- Susan Berlin

ShowBizRadio - Highly Recommended

"...In Ella we are absorbed by the performance of Freda Payne, who many will well remember from their own youthful days listening to “Band of Gold.” Performing in Ella, Payne has a charm and a warm patina that sparkles like the sequins on her costumes. We are fortunate to have Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song cast a light on a long winter night’s darkness."

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- David Siegel

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...If you love Ella Fitzgerald—heck, even if you were born last week and are thus only vaguely familiar with Ella Fitzgerald (in fact, especially if you’re only vaguely familiar with her)–you must see this Ella: The First Lady of Song! The astonishing vituosa Freda Payne brings the First Lady of Song to life with an elegance, a grace, a resonant beauty, and transcendent voice that captivates as Ella Fitzgerald captivated. Miss Payne is clearly one of the greatest jazz singers of our time, and a chance to hear her live in such a warm, intimate setting is not to be missed."

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- Elizabeth Bruce

DCTheatreScene - Recommended

When the spotlight hits Freda Payne in the opening number, its dusty light swirling around her evoking a club atmosphere, you could swear the first lady of song has been reincarnated. Payne not only sings in Ella’s key, she scats and lets her hands move as if pulling notes out of the air. Payne even looks like Ella, in great part thanks to the wizardry of costume designer Scotty Sherman, who has draped the trim songstress in dark-colored, well-padded, mostly long gowns shot through with sparkles.

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- Susan Galbraith