Cherise Coaches
Sings Ella Fitzgerald

While we are well acquainted with and love the music of the great Ella Fitzgerald (1917 - 1996) we did not know anything about her interesting backstory until we went to see First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald at Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut. Over the course of 2 hours, the multi-talented Broadway actress, recording artist, songwriter, vocal arranger and producer, Cherise Coaches wove an interesting tapestry of Ella's music with vignettes of Ella's life overcoming many hardships, tragedies, and abuse, yet she kept persevering to ultimately succeed and become the "First Lady of Song," the "Queen of Jazz," and "Lady Ella." By any name, Ella Fitzgerald was simply fabulous. 

Over the course of Ella's life, she recorded over 200 albums and 2000 songs beginning with her first recording in 1936 with the song, "Love and Kisses" on the Decca records label. However, it was her 1938 recording of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" which sold 1 million album copies that made her a star at age 21. 

Cherise opened the performance with the steamy and sultry "It's Too Darn Hot" followed by "Misty" and "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," which launched Ella's career. Other show highlights included "Summertime," "Night and Day," "Cry Me A River," "Mood Indigo," "Mack The Knife," "The Lady Is A Tramp," and "Love Is Here To Stay," delectably interwoven with fascinating details about Ella Fitzgerald interspersed with the music that made Ella famous. One of the many fascinating stories about Ella is that while she did not cook, she loved to read and collect cookbooks, and had over 200 cookbooks in her collection. 

Due to her deteriorating health, Ella made her last recording in 1989 and performed her last concert in 1991 at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of George Wein's JCV Jazz Festival. No stranger to adversity throughout her life, she had to have both her legs amputated below the knee in 1993 due to complications stemming from diabetes and died at the age of 79 years on June 15, 1996, at her home in Beverly Hills, California. 

From her humble beginnings in Newport News, Virginia until she took her last breath in Beverly Hills, California, Ella's talent took her on an unimaginable journey that culminated in amassing 13 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. However, her true legacy is her incredible gift of spirit, her fabulous vocals and scat, and her ability to reach out to generation after generation with her music, her voice, and her inspirational determination and perseverance to succeed. 

A big shoutout to the multi-talented Cherise Coaches with her gorgeous vocals and artistry at delivering an amazing performance of Ella's music and for sharing Ella's incredible life story with the audience. Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts! 

Cast
 

Creative Team   

Musicians
 

First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald Schedule: Tuesday at 7:00 pm, Wednesday at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Thursday at 7:00 pm, Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Special series include Pride Night (November 2) and Open Captions (November 5). Recommended for ages 12+. 

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at +1-203-227-4177, email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the website at For more information on tickets, visit: First Lady of Song - Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald. 

Special Dinner & A Show: "Looking for the perfect pre-show dining spot? Gabriele's Italian Steakhouse is located on the Playhouse campus and is offering a special $79 menu for First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches sings Ella Fitzgerald ticketholders! Click here to view the menu and pricing, then call Gabriele's at (203) 454-4922 to make your reservation. Be sure to tell them you are attending the show to access the exclusive menu and price!" 

Westport Country Playhouse 2023 Performance Schedule
 

About the Westport Country Playhouse 

"Founded in 1931, the mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater of the highest caliber and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round."  

"The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; youth performance training through Broadway Method Academy, Westport Country Playhouse's resident conservatory program; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round." 

The Westport Country Playhouse, named as "Theatre Company of the Year" in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened on June 29, 1931, in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a "who's who" of prominent actors. 

Looking at the framed posters of the past shows lining the lobby walls is like entering an encyclopedia of the arts. A few of the renowned actors who have appeared on the stage there include Ethyl Barrymore, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Don Ameche, Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy, Jane Fonda, Danny Aiello, Blythe Danner, Jill Clayburgh, Richard Dreyfus, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Lynn Redgrave, Gene Wilder, and Westport residents Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman. 

About The Artists Lounge Live 

"Artists Lounge Live is a Chicago-based production company created by married team Executive Producer Michael Ingersoll and Artistic Director Angela Ingersoll. Artists Lounge Live presents their captivating concerts nationwide, which feature singular talents singing classic pop hits, superb musicianship, and intimate storytelling. Their team of creators, headliners, and musicians enjoy distinguished careers in Broadway, theatre, film, television, and the recording and touring industries. Caring for audiences with a refreshing blend of humor and heart, the company explores America's cultural landscape with the music as their guide. Through popular music, our shared heritage, audiences receive an authentic emotional connection. Artists Lounge Live believes in the restorative power of live entertainment for the individual and the community. Partner theaters include Marriott Theatre (Chicago), Paramount Theatre (Chicago), Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Goodspeed Musicals (Connecticut), La Mirada Theatre (Los Angeles), A.D. Players at the George (Houston), Phoenix Theatre Company (Arizona), Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Laguna Playhouse (So Cal), Kahilu Theatre (Hawaii), and many more. www.artistsloungelive.com"

Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court
|Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States
Box Office: +1-203-227-4177
Toll-Free: 1-888-927-7529
Website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestportCountryPlayhouse
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcplayhouse
Twitter: @wcplayhouse 

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