LOUIS-AND-ELLA! were hits in JAX, FL

The downtown Jacksonville, Florida’s public library hosted over 250 guests for the Stage Aurora Theatrical Company’s presentation of LOUIS-AND-ELLA! written by Trent Armand Kendall.  There was wonderful harmony from Trent singing as the legendary Louis Armstrong, and from Natasha Yvette Williams who emanated the voice of Ella Fitzgerald.  The musical also featured Broadway and Jacksonville’s very own Darryl Reuben Hall, who portrayed Saint Peter at the pearly gates of heaven.  The musical direction and accompaniment of Darius Frowner on the keyboard was phenomenal.  The man played the entire hour and forty-five minutes with a short intermission.

Some of the musical selections of LOUIS-AND-ELLA! included: “Cheek to Cheek,” “Sentimental Journey,” “Our Love is Here to Stay,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “Let’s Fall in Love,” “Melody of Love,” “Something to Live For,” “What You Gonna Do,” “Too Marvelous For Words,” “Who’s Got the Last Laugh Now,” “Learin’ the Blues,” “Can’t We Be Friends,” “Home Fire,” “A Tisket, A Tasket,” “Basin Street Blues,” “Skylark,” “ Smile,” “What a Wonderful World,” “Swing Lo Sweet Chariot,” “When the Saints Go Marching In” and a few other popular tunes.

If you weren’t in the theatre to enjoy the audience participation of ‘scatting with ELLA’, you might want to check back on this blog, so you won’t miss another entertainment opportunity.  Next up: “I’m Sick of Church Folk”.

LOUIS-AND-ELLA! will be in JAX for one night

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company presents LOUIS-AND-ELLA! by Trent Armand Kendall, for one evening of musical delight.  Writer Trent Armand Kendall, stars as legendary Louis Armstrong and Natasha Yvette Williams stars as Ella Fitzgerald.  The musical also features Broadway vet and Jacksonville’s very own Darryl Reuben Hall, founder of Stage Aurora Theatrical Company.  Kendall, Williams and Hall are Broadway vets who will be saluting two jazz icons of all times.  Musical direction and accompaniment will be conducted by Darius Frowner.

Darrryl Reuben Hall

Kendall currently stars as ‘OLD Deuteronomy’ in the international/ RCCL production of CATS, co-produced by Really Useful and directed by Trevor Nunn.  He recently appeared in concert with the ‘Black Stars Of Broadway’ at Carnegie Hall as a featured soloist for the Audelco Awards, and at the world famous Apollo Theater.  Trent is also the writer and star of ‘Picture Incomplete,’ a one-man musical that played to sold-out houses in Tampa, New Jersey, New York City and recently debuted internationally in Johannesburg, South Africa.

LOUIS-AND-ELLA! by Trent Armand Kendall is a musical celebration reuniting the Architect of Jazz and the First Lady of Song in heaven for one magical night.  These two friends and jazz pioneers rip through 24 of the most enduring standards of all time including: “Stepping Out,” “Cheek To Cheek,” “I Won’t Dance,” “Stardust,” “Stompin At The Savoy,” “What A Wonderful World” and more!

This musical presentation is sponsored in part by: the National Endowment for the Arts’ Challenge America Fast Track grant.  LOUIS-AND-ELLA! by Trent Armand Kendall is free and open to the general public, so add this venue to your calendars.

Natasha Yvette Williams stared as Matron Mama Morton, in Chicago on Broadway.  Recently she appeared in: A Night With Janis Joplin (Aretha Franklin, Joplinaire), The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (Mariah), The Color Purple (Sofia).  Williams has been a featured singer with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, The Ottawa Symphony, The Edmonton Symphony, The Naples Philharmonic, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Pops in the production of Irving Berlin: Rags to Riches.


“LOUIS-AND-ELLA!”
by Trent Armand Kendall
DATE      TIME:
Sat., July 23, 2016  7 p.m.

LOCATION: Stage Aurora Theatrical Company
       JacksonvillePublic Library
       Hicks Auditorium
       303 N Laura St.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32202

TICKETS: General Admission is FREE!!!  For more information, please contact: Stage Aurora Theatrical Company at (904) 765-7373.