‘Ella’s Christmas’ heading to your home

By Shari Goldstein Stern

A star shines big and bright on Dallas in the form of Feleceia Wilson (formerly Feleceia Benton), who will be a welcome guest in your living room this winter. Scatting through Christmas classics, Ella Fitzgerald style, Wilson is a vision in her cozy set while dressed to the nines.

WaterTower Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director Shane Peterman presents “Ella’s Swinging Christmas: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” through Jan. 3.

The review-styled production takes place inside a cozy home, decorated for Christmas, where Ella takes center stage. Wilson performs 17 of Fitzgerald’s exceptional arrangements of Christmas classics like “Jingle Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” 

The jazzy band backing her up includes Kwinton Gray at the piano, KJ Gray on upright bass and Jackie Whitmill on percussion. 

 “My oldest sister gave me my first Ella record for Christmas when I was a 12-year-old,” Wilson said. “She is literally my second favorite singer of all time, second only to the great Audra McDonald.” Wilson acknowledges that her voice is not like Ella’s, but that she appreciates her style. “I listened to ‘Ella’s Swinging Christmas’ repeatedly for a month. I’ve grown to appreciate her style very much, her simplicity and her technique. There is truly no one like her.”

When she was a single mother of Zoe, an amputee born with Down Syndrome, Feleceia found time to record a weekly podcast, LifeChat Radio, where she and her co-host talk music, business, spirituality and all things life.

The singer/actor/businesswoman/speaker has been seen in a number of theaters in town in productions that include “Les Misérables” and “The Wiz” for Dallas Theater Center, “Newsies,” “Smokey Joe’s Café and “The Full Monty” at WaterTower Theater, and “Aida,” “Ragtime” and “Songs for a New World” at Uptown Players.

The multi-tasker earned a BFA in musical theater and a BS in advertising/public relations from TCU. As a mom to her adored Zoe Benton and still a newlywed to her prince, Frankie Wilson, the young woman has a full life while successfully juggling family, a business and performing. “Family always comes first to me,” she assures.

“I’ve been blessed as a performer in Dallas. One of my favorites is the show in which I performed, ‘Abyssinia’ with Lyric Stage. Performing at The Majestic is one of my most favorite things to do. The place is just dreamy and filled with nostalgia. But I also had the privilege of performing in a role that very few voices have touched and being directed by the great Akin Babatunde. He challenged me in ways I would have never expected.”

Like so many local theatergoers and artists, Wilson said she adores Dallas’ favorite Denise Lee. 

“I just directed a show called ‘Matter’ with Dallas Children’s Theatre thanks to Denise’s kindness and friendship. She’s like our theatre godmother.”

 The hyper-multi-tasker is growing her company, the Zoe Communication Agency, through which she does public and community speaking. She loves writing, which inspired her to pen her first book, Lessons from Five Fingers: 21 Life Lessons from the Book of Zoe, but also led her to found Elisia Magazine, which she describes as “a quarterly digital lifestyle magazine that celebrates the diverse voice of the American woman.”

The artist said: “I’m not sure what my future looks like, but I’m really digging the set-up. I have had big dreams of Broadway for a long time. I made a commitment to stay in Dallas after college with the hopes of trying out NYC in my 40s.” 

Wilson added that she plans to play on Broadway at least once in her career.

“I guess I’d say I’m the most passionate about my faith. I have been a Christ follower for most of my life, and I can honestly say that without that foundation, I am not sure where I would be. That passion is my driving force in everything I do.”

Buy tickets online at WaterTowerTheatre.org, by phone at 972-450-6232 or email [email protected]. 

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