Ella, First Lady of Song
Conceived by Maurice Hines Jr., Written and Directed by Lee Summers
Meadow Brook Theatre
Rochester, MI
Directed by Lee Summers
Assistant Directed by Arelis Cruz
Musical Directed by Dionne Hendricks
Scene Design by Kirk A. Domer
Costume Design by Karen Kangas-Preston
Hair & Wig Design by Wendy Evans
Lighting Design by Eric Van Tassell
Projection Design by Jeromy Hopgood
Sound Design by Mike Duncan
Properties Designer by Kristen Gribbin
Technical Direction by Daniel Silverman
Kirk A. Domer’s clever sliding set lovingly evokes TV variety shows of the 1960s without overdoing it, and Karen Kangas-Preston outfits Payne in a flurry of beautiful gowns. The whole thing is a very classy affair.
Detroit Free Press “Detroit native, R&B legend Freda Payne sparkles as jazz diva Ella Fitzgerald in musical” By Duante Beddingfield (June 21, 2024)