Ralph Ellison once dubbed Duke Ellington “our greatest composer.” Indeed, with a career that spanned more than 50 years and a catalog of songs that have since become American standards, Ellington is up there with Louis Armstrong, George Gershwin, and whoever wrote “Mambo No. 5.” His music is timeless, and you can enjoy it up close with the Pewter Plough Playhouse’s newest production, Duke’s Place.
Written and directed by Rebecca Buckley, Duke’s Place is an original production for the Pewter Plough Playhouse. It’s set in present-day New York City at a 1930s/40s-themed lounge. Throughout, the cast performs Ellington classics such as “Caravan,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” and “Prelude to a Kiss.”
You can catch the swingin’ Duke’s Place at the Pewter Plough Playhouse in Cambria from Dec. 19 to Jan. 18. Opening night is Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. After opening night, tickets are $25. For more information, call 927-3877
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2014.