Ella star Tina Fabrique to join American theater giant Ben Vereen

at the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant

on Monday, August 31 @ 7 p.m.

WHAT

Ella star Tina Fabrique will welcome American theater giant Ben Vereen to Minneapolis for performances of his one-man show, August 30-31 at the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant. Hailed for her "pitch-perfect scattitude," Fabrique will be on hand to introduce the legendary performer, in addition to offering Dakota audiences a peek into the life of the great jazz and pop vocalist Ella Fitzgerald while performing "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" prior to Vereen's second performance (Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.). Ella company members George Caldwell (Conductor/Pianist) and Clifton Kellem (Bass) will join Fabrique for this unique appearance.

WHEN:

Monday, August 31

7 p.m.

WHERE:

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant

1010 Nicollet, Minneapolis

ABOUT BEN VEREEN AT THE DAKOTA:
Ben Vereen, unquestionably one of the giants of American theater, will offer three performances -- Sunday, August 30 at 7 p.m. and Monday, August 31 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. - at the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant. Tickets are $27.50 to $55 and are now on sale through the Dakota Box Office at 612.332.JAZZ (5299) and online at www.dakotacooks.com.

Vereen's appearances on Broadway and in films have become definitive performances, and he has taken his one-man shows all over the world. On Broadway, Vereen has appeared in Wicked, Fosse, I'm Not Rappaport, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Grind, Jelly's Last Jam and A Christmas Carol. His role in Pippin garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for "Best Actor in a Musical." Most recently, Ben guest starred on Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order Criminal Intent, and was nominated for an NAACP award for the Hallmark film The Accidental Friendship. This winter, Ben will be directed by Jersey's Boys Des McAnuff in the new play Fetch Clay Make Man.

ABOUT ELLA AT THE GUTHRIE:
Tina Fabrique stars in the title role of this summer theatrical event, weaving myth, memory and music to tell the uplifting and poignant story of one of the greatest jazz and pop vocalists of the 20th century. Performances have been extended through September 20. Tickets are $29 to $65 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Fabrique, who was tapped by "Ella" creators Rob Ruggiero and Dyke Garrison prior to the bio-musical's 2005 inception, has previously performed the role in more than 15 regional productions across the country, and has received universally rave reviews for her smoky-sounding interpretation of the renowned songstress. With a book by popular Twin Cities-based scribe Jeffrey Hatcher and musical supervision/arrangement by Danny Holgate, Ella is destined to become the "must-see Twin Cities performance" of the summer.

All information contained herein provided by the Guthrie Theater.