Westport Country Playhouse Brings To Its Stage FIRST LADY OF SONG: CHERISE COACHES SINGS ELLA FITZGERALD

Broadway actress and recording artist Cherise Coaches stars in a concert event saluting one of America's favorite jazz singers, Ella Fitzgerald.

By: Sep. 20, 2023
Westport Country Playhouse Brings To Its Stage FIRST LADY OF SONG: CHERISE COACHES SINGS ELLA FITZGERALD

Westport Country Playhouse Brings To Its Stage FIRST LADY OF SONG: CHERISE COACHES SINGS ELLA FITZGERALD Westport Country Playhouse will bring to its stage, “First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald,” for a one-week run, from Friday, October 27 through Sunday, November 5.

Broadway actress and recording artist Cherise Coaches stars in a concert event saluting one of America's favorite jazz singers, Ella Fitzgerald. Coaches effortlessly emits the sultry swing and playful joy that made Ella an American treasure. Classic tunes include "Summertime," "The Lady Is a Tramp," and "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing." Coaches will be joined on stage by a band of piano, bass, drums, and woodwinds.

The storyline celebrates Ella Fitzgerald's career triumphs, artistry, and legacy, while also addressing her experiences of poverty, childhood abuse and homelessness, romantic partners or lack thereof, racism, and health issues.

“First Lady of Song” replaces the Playhouse's previously announced fall production of “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play,” which was canceled last spring to cut costs as the historic theater faced financial challenges. 

Beth Huisking, Playhouse acting managing director, said, “'First Lady of Song' comes to us from Artists Lounge Live, a Chicago-based production company. It's a high-quality, total package, with set, costumes, marketing materials, and other elements, thus saving the considerable cost of producing a show ourselves. The Playhouse will resume mounting our own theatrical productions in fall 2024, under the artistic direction of Mark Shanahan.”

Cherise Coaches is a Chicago-born/Los Angeles-based actress, recording artist, songwriter, vocal arranger/producer, and voice coach. Coaches appeared on Broadway in the musical “Waitress” as well as the National Tour of “Disenchanted: The Musical.” Chicago Theatre Review calls her, "transcendent... a gifted, glittering songstress." Coaches recently appeared in and served as vocal supervisor for the reimagined “Gospel at Colonus” in both Chicago and Los Angeles. Other theater credits include “Hair” (Dionne), “Dreamgirls” (Charlene), “A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle” (Young Patti), and the musical revue “Dynamite Divas” where she dazzled audiences in the styles of legends Dinah Washington, Beyoncé, and Patti LaBelle

Coaches was honored with a Black Theater Alliance nomination for the Phylicia Rashad Award for Most Promising Actress. She also appeared on tour with Artists Lounge Live as a featured vocalist in “Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul,” “Higher and Higher with Chester Gregory,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: John-Mark McGaha Sings Stevie Wonder.” Television credits include “The Chi” and “Empire.” Film credits include “Plow” and “The Terrible Tenth.” Additionally, Coaches records, writes, and produces neo-soul music, available now on all streaming platforms. IG/TikTok/Twitter: @cherisecoaches 

Artists Lounge Live, the show's production company, was created by the married team of executive producer Michael Ingersoll and artistic director Angela Ingersoll. https://artistsloungelive.com/ 

Performance schedule is Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Special series include Pride Night (November 2) and Open Captions (November 5).

The play is recommended for age 12 and up. Running time is approximately 100 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. 

Single tickets start at $35 and are subject to change based upon availability. Buy early for best prices. For information on special offers, including discounts for students, senior citizens, educators, military and first responders, Indigenous peoples, professional playwrights, and groups, as well as options for pay-what-you-will and library passes visit www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/box-office/.

For more information and tickets, visit: Click Here

The complete schedule of Playhouse events is available at westportplayhouse.org. All play titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org, or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. 


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Connecticut

1
Celebrate The Holiday Season At Music Theatre of CT In Norwalk With Award-Winning Cabaret  Photo
Celebrate The Holiday Season At Music Theatre of CT In Norwalk With Award-Winning Cabaret Artist, Jeff Harnar

Music Theatre of CT, Fairfield County's professional award-winning theatre, presents Homeward Bound: Songs of the Holidays, a celebratory cabaret featuring the acclaimed New York artist, Jeff Harnar.

2
Feature: LEGALLY BLONDE at Westhill High School Photo
Feature: LEGALLY BLONDE at Westhill High School

See some of Broadway's future stars.

3
Jo Koy and Friends Take Over Mohegan Sun Arena Photo
Jo Koy and Friends Take Over Mohegan Sun Arena

Famous Comedian and actor Jo Koy is adding Mohegan Sun Arena to his list of stops during his global tour. Koy hits the Arena stage on Sunday, March 24th for a 7:30pm show.

4
Review: Bouncing Fun with FUN HOME at Brookfield Theater For The Arts Photo
Review: Bouncing Fun with FUN HOME at Brookfield Theater For The Arts

We all have those shows that cut you to your core in a way that few other things can, and based on the opening night audience at the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Fun Home is that show for a lot of people. From the moment the band walked on stage, the cast and crew of Brookfield Theatre’s Fun Home had the audience caught: hook, line, and ring of keys.

More Hot Stories For You

Videos


23' NHAOPA Christmas Spectacular in Connecticut 23' NHAOPA Christmas Spectacular
Cabaret On Main Theatere (12/16-12/17)Tracker
All Shook Up in Connecticut All Shook Up
Center Stage Theatre (12/01-12/10)Tracker
It's A Wonderful Life; A Live Radio Play in Connecticut It's A Wonderful Life; A Live Radio Play
Kweskin Theatre (11/17-12/09)Tracker
Christmas Cookies, the Musical in Connecticut Christmas Cookies, the Musical
Pantochino at the MAC (12/01-12/23)
Pyramids of Giza Show in Connecticut Pyramids of Giza Show
Breathing Storytellers (5/08-6/14)
Lewis Carroll’s ALICE'S ADVENTURES in Connecticut Lewis Carroll’s ALICE'S ADVENTURES
Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny Park (4/26-5/12)
Beetlejuice in Connecticut Beetlejuice
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts [Mortensen Hall] (5/28-6/02)
Auditions for Circophony Teen Circus in Connecticut Auditions for Circophony Teen Circus
Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater (12/06-12/06)
"Holiday Works in Progress"
Drama Works Theatre Company (12/15-12/17)
The Book of Mormon (Non-Equity) in Connecticut The Book of Mormon (Non-Equity)
Palace Theater (4/26-4/28)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You