The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Interim Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the 2017 summer New2NY Series presentation of the new musical Me & Ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson (Once on This Island, The Lion King), direction by the Tony Award-winning team of Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (Jay Johnson: The Two and Only), with music direction and arrangements by Ron Abel (Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, “Happily Divorced”).

The limited engagement of Me & Ella will play 11 performances only, July 15 – 23, 2017 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Sunday evening, July 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

Set against the restless backdrop of the 20th Century and the lush serenity of the Ella Fitzgerald songbook, Broadway veteran Andrea Frierson’s Me & Ella is a valentine to the “First Lady of Song.” Ms. Frierson’s personal storytelling and song stylings provide a loving glimpse into why Ella’s music, heart and determination to overcome the challenges in her life and career continue to inspire. Me & Ella was featured last season as part of the York’s Developmental Reading Series and commemorates the centennial of the legendary songstress.

The York’s New2NY series is similar to its Musicals in Mufti series of simply-staged concert performances of musical gems from the past. However, New2NY—as its name indicates—focuses on new musicals, providing a stage between developmental lab and full production. Previous shows in the series have included In Transit (which opened on Broadway last season), The Times, Larry Grossman’s Compose Yourself!, and this season’s Mark Felt: Superstar and How to Be an American!.

The performance schedule for Me & Ella is Saturday, July 15 at 2:30 p.m.* & 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 16 at 2:30 p.m.* & 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 19 & Thursday, July 20 at 2:30 p.m.* & 7:00pm p.m., Friday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 22 at 2:30 p.m.* & 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m. (*audience discussions follow these matinee performances).

Tickets are on sale now for York Theatre Company Members only. Tickets for Me & Ella for the general public go on sale June 23, 2017 and are priced at $45-$50 ($31.50 for Members – a savings of up to 35%). Tickets may be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling (212) 935-5820, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Monday through Friday (12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.).

Further summer events at The York include a Special Summer Musical in Mufti (August 5-13) – a single show to be announced shortly – and the ongoing lobby exhibition “SCENIC DESIGNS BY JAMES MORGAN: A Rather Random Retrospective Celebrating 40+ Years at The York Theatre Company and Elsewhere.” All works in the exhibit are available for purchase and to be autographed.

York Theatre Company offers the York! Membership Program, an exclusive membership package for as low as $75.00—with elite benefits that include up to 35% off tickets to York Theatre Productions, exclusive Member pre-sale opportunities, 50% off on all lobby concessions, 20% off on all lobby merchandise, in addition to special Member-only receptions. The York also offers a York Plus! Membership Program with additional perks, including complimentary tickets to Mainstage productions and invites to several VIP-only presentations throughout the season.

York Memberships can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org/membership, or by visiting the York Theatre Company Box Office (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), or by calling the Box Office at (212) 935-5820 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

For additional information, please visit www.yorktheatre.org

Fans of jazz and the First Lady of Song should start making their way to the York Theatre, where Me & Ella provides the perfect blast of nostalgia to revive your love for Ella Fitzgerald. Written and performed by Andrea Frierson, Me & Ella captures the spirit of Fitzgerald’s music through Frierson’s deeply personal take on the singer’s life. Frierson weaves the story of Ella Fitzgerald’s life into her own childhood. She grew up with opera singer parents, surrounded by classical music. Her appreciation for jazz, and the development of her love for Ella Fitzgerald, came from her grandmother’s influence. Walking us through the important moments of her childhood, complete with adorable fan letters to Ella Fitzgerald herself, Frierson also provides an overview of Fitzgerald’s life, starting with her troubled childhood and following her down the path to success and stardom. To support Frierson’s description of Fitzgerald’s life and her own childhood, the back wall of the stage comes to life with photographs of Frierson as a child, her family, and, of course, Ella herself. This addition, admittedly simple, grounds Frierson’s rich storytelling ability in the warmth and love she has …Read more