Ella Fitzgerald Stage Musical In Works Starring Dee Dee Bridgewater & Charity Angél Dawson, With Book By Anna Deavere Smith

A new musical written by Anna Deavere Smith and featuring music from the Ella Fitzgerald songbook is currently in development. Ella: An American Miracle will receive an Aug. 25-Sept. 21 work session, with Tony-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater and Charity Angél Dawson portraying the iconic singer at different points in her life.

The work session will conclude with a private industry presentation. A production timeline was not disclosed.

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“Composers wanted Ella Fitzgerald to sing their songs because listening to her, they knew how their songs were supposed to be sung,” said Smith in a statement. “A jazz singer, a scat singer, she also famously both sang and defined the American song book. To say she had humble beginnings is a profound understatement. She sang America through some of its most discordant times. She was America’s love song. She was an American miracle.”

Joe Martinez/Courtesy Production

Bridgewater, a Tony winner for 1975’s The Wiz, will return to Broadway for the first time since 1979’s The 1940s Radio Hour to portray the ghost of Fitzgerald (Bridgewater won a Grammy Award for her 1997 jazz album Dear Ella). Charity Angél Dawson (Chicago, Waitress, Mrs. Doubtfire) will portray Young Ella.

In addition to Bridgewater and Dawson, the cast for the workshop will feature Saint Aubyn, Angela Birchett, J. Bernard Calloway, Milanis Clark, Crystal Joy, Ken Marks, Jhardon Dishon Milton, Joshua Morgan, Rance Nix, Okwui Okpokwasili, Nick Rehberger, Jessica Rush, Deandre Sevon, and Erica Sweany.

Producers on Ella: An American Miracle are Steve J. Scarduzio and John Hart. Creative team includes director Philip Wm. McKinley (The Boy From Oz) and choreography by Ellenore Scott (Funny Girl, Mr. Saturday Night), with musical direction by jazz composer, pianist, music director, vocalist, and jazz instructor Mark G. Meadows. The stage production will feature costume design by Ann Hould-Ward (Into The Woods, The Color Purple). ShowTown Theatricals serves as General Manager.

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