Ella at Arena Stage - CLOSED

Elite '08

102

253

Libby F.

Silver Spring, MD

The Arena Stage has done it again!  They have put on another great performance for Washington, D.C. audiences.

Ella is  a swinging musical about the "First Lady of Song", Miss Ella Fitzgerald.  This show will have you tapping your foot and bopping your head as you get an inside look at the life of this legend.  Tina Fabrique was fab-u-lous as the lead, performing dozens of Ella's classic hits such as A Tisket, A Tasket, They Can't Take That Away From Me and 'S Wonderful to name a few.  While most songs were unfamiliar to me and not really my choice of genre, I did appreciate what Ella did for the musical world.

The stage was set up as if Ella herself was giving a performance at a concert hall in Nice, France with her quartet band behind her and she talked to her audience, telling bits about her life between songs. Starting with her winning an Amateur Night at the Apollo at age fifteen and taking you through the ups and downs of her personal life.

Parking is free under the Arena, but oh, what a nightmare to get out!  Definitely take Metro if you can.  Maybe they'll work out the kinks for future performances to help patrons exit with ease and not confusion. But, other than that snafu, the show is a hit you won't want to miss!

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Elite '08

45

218

Dan W.

Washington, DC

5.0 stars:-)!!  The Arena Stage blew the roof off with this one.  What a performance, Tina Fabrique was absolutely astounding as Ella Fitzgerald, the "First Lady of Song!"  Her voice quality and control was so so close to Ella's, when I closed my eyes, I was immediately transported to that famous concert in Niece, France where this concert, by all historical accounts, took place and was a profound concert, since this was a performance she gave after surviving the death of her sister and this was also when she became reunited with her son.  I do not want to give too much away, so I will stop here:-)!

Although Ella lived the American Dream, this theatrical production gives the history behind the lady with the voice and the obstacles she had to overcome, what society thought of her based on her appearance, and her battle with her own lack of self esteem, to become the "First Lady of Song."

The Arena Stage in Crystal City is a great place to see this production.  It is fairly intimate with wide aisles and fairly comfortable seating, a wonderful venue to be transported back in time to enjoy the timeless music of one of America's greatest African American singers!

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Elite '08

40

129

Lydia P.

Washington, DC

Marvelous!
Excellent performances!
Two thumbs way up darling!

Once again Arena Stage makes a great hit of their newest show Ella at their new theater home with an excellent cast Tina Fabrique as Ms. Fitzgerald.

Growing up with mother that loves Ella Fitzgerald music, I really appreciate and admire Tina performances for her vocals ability to sing as Ella in this shows!
Definitely a pro!

Arena Stage for temporary move their theater performance to Crystal City locations definitely is making right choice for the place to had their performances!

It's located on Crystal City underground connected to the metro, so definitely perfect for the winter weather and rainy day, so you don't even  have to come out face the cold and rain, and save gas and parking money! How wonderful!

It's a beautiful room and beautiful stage decorations, with beautiful lighting tricks! Creates Ella stage looks fabulous, colorful, glamorous with all that glitter!

And I am satisfied to finally get more details life story about the legend of the Lady behind the Song!

Ella sang several of my favorite songs, that bring back the beautiful memory of my childhood when my mother as my best friend in the world introduce me with jazz with some excellent song selections of Ella, S'wonderful, s'marvelous you should give to me..
And heaven.. I'm heaven.. continue with Smokes get in your eyes..
Love it! Love it!

And when she sang with her scat ability as a talented and excellent life instrument, Ella Fitzgerald definitely have a 'Scatitude'!

Big woman with a big beautiful voice and lively attitude the way I describe my admiration's of The legend Ella Fitzgerald that will always live in my heart.

And thanks to Arena Stage and Tina Fabrique and the whole cast to keep it alive in her fans memories!

Bravo! For all that Jazz!

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