Ella

Broadway producers…listen up! There’s a musical that’s been touring regionally that should be heading to The Great White Way sooner rather than later. It has all the elements of a smash!
Judging from the standing ovation Tina Fabrique received at The Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida recently for her uncanny portrayal of legendary songbird, Ella Fitzgerald, it’s only a matter of time before we’re all able to see this marvelous tribute in The Big Apple.

Ella, conceived by Rob Ruggiero and Dyke Garrison, and directed by Ruggiero, with a book by Jeffrey Hatcher and musical supervision and arrangements by Danny Holgate, effectively manages to bring back into sharp focus the life and songs of one of the greatest jazz/pop singers of the last century. Other tributes have been mounted but it’s Fabrique who makes this one so successful. She shares numerous physical and vocal qualities with Fitzgerald, particularly in her effortless ability to scat but, more importantly, by capturing “The First Lady of Song”’s sweetness and humility without resorting to imitation or mimicry.

Fabrique’s supporting cast shines as well, playing double roles as musicians and key men in Fitzgerald’s life. George Caldwell (piano/Moe Gale), Ron Haynes (trumpet/Louis Armstrong), Rodney Harper (drums/Chick Webb) and Clifton Kellem (bass/Ray Brown) and Harold Dixon, playing the part of Fitzgerald’s manager, Norman Granz, all contribute to the telling of her poignant and uplifting story.

Keeping the memory of Ella Fitzgerald alive is important and Ella thoroughly accomplishes that while, at the same time, introducing us to a new star for this century. Remember her name…Tina Fabrique!

Lynn DiMenna
Cabaret Scenes
January 17, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org