Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (Member, American Theatre Critics Association)
and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)
Photos courtesy of Sean Carter Photography
Freda Payne
One Sparkling Gem of a Show
You’ll probably want to see this twice, just because it feels so good to immerse yourself in the great old jazz songs of the 1930s, 40s and beyond. But you will also learn the life story of an amazing woman and singer, and the rich history behind her success.
The original idea for “Ella, First Lady of Song” was crafted by Maurice Hines (brother of tap legend Gregory Hines) to celebrate the great music icon Ella Fitzgerald. It was designed around the formidable talents of Grammy-nominated recording artist Freda Payne, to bring Ella to life. Hines asked noted American composer and librettist Lee Summers (“From My Hometown”) to write and direct. Its world premiere was at the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick NJ in December 2004. It has gone on to numerous regional productions and was awarded the 2022 New York AUDELCO Award for Best Musical.
But this is not a biographical play so much as a musical revue spiced with dramatic moments from Ella’s eventful life, and from history. The story begins, and ends, with Fitzgerald’s 1966 Cote D’Azur concert on the French Riviera with the Duke Ellington orchestra (released as a live album the following year). Her life story is then told in flashback, from her beginnings as a fledgling singer, using a series of projected images of historic photos. Young Ella faces incredible obstacles: poverty, racism, sexual abuse and scorn at her shabby clothes and hair. Obstacles she surmounts with the help of her devoted cousin Georgianna, sheer will, intelligence and astonishing talent.
Nicole Powell, Debra Walton
In a touching performance, Debra Walton inhabits her role as the vivacious young Ella with outstanding vocals and charm, and in a second role as Ella’s sister Frances. Nicole Powell offers a vibrant portrait of Cousin Georgianna. Eric Coles rounds out the small supporting cast with his strong performances as Ella’s manager and producer Norman Granz, who led history-making efforts to abolish the “whites only” policies of nightclubs in the 1940s and 50s, and as her abusive stepfather Joe DaSilva.
The real star of the show is, of course, the dazzling Detroit native Freda Payne as Ella in all her glory. Payne’s voice convincingly recalls Ella’s own vocal style and phrasing, including scatting and be-bop, and really hits those high notes.
Direction by Summers, staging and sets by Kirk Domer, and lighting by Eric Van Tassell are some of the best seen at Meadow Brook. The projections by Jeromy Hopgood help tell the story in an intimate way, drawing you in to relive moments in history. Platforms on casters, serving as floors, slide back and forth to move players and furniture as the scenes demand. One area of criticism: the sliding set pieces were a little noisy on a recent matinee, and a distraction, but this hopefully will be fixed for future shows.
Debra Walton, Nicole Powell, Freda Payne, Eric Coles
Each song in the show hangs, like a pearl, upon the fabulous six-piece jazz band, smoothly led by pianist and Duke Ellington stand-in Dionne Hendricks. Other band members serve as characters in the story – bass player Gregory Jones as Ella’s husband Ray Brown, and drummer Greg Bufford as band leader Chick Webb. One memorable number, “The Nearness of You”, has Payne dreamily singing and holding a rolled-up blanket, like the baby she could never have. A showstopper is “Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home”, belted with joyful gusto by Payne, Walton and Powell. But in truth, each song is a treasure, from beginning to end, all 30 of them, as is the pleasure of hearing Ms Payne sing them, and the band play them. It’s a most enjoyable way to pass the time.
When: Now through June 23, 2024
Tickets $37 to $46
Where: Meadow Brook Theatre at Wilson Hall
Oakland University
378 Meadow Brook Rd
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
(248) 377-3300
www.mbtheatre.com
Special Note: As COVID-19 is a constantly changing situation, MBT will be monitoring and adhering to the guidance given by the CDC, the State of Michigan, the Actor’s Equity Association, and Oakland University. Check the Meadow Brook Theatre website for the latest information on efforts to keep everyone safe.
This production is made possible through the generous support of the Michigan Arts and Cultural Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, the Shubert Foundation and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.
Meadow Brook Theatre is a professional theatre located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. MBT is a nonprofit cultural institution serving southeast Michigan for more than 56 years.
