Lanie Robertson's Lady Day will play the Massachusetts venue Dec. 5-9. Nelson, according to the Barrington's official website, will be backed by Danny Holgate on piano and David Jackson on bass. This production was originally directed by Rob Ruggiero. "In the intimacy of a friend's bar in a run-down section of Philadelphia," read show notes, "legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday delivers one of her final performances. A skillful blend of biography and cabaret, this is a poignant glimpse of the real-life person behind an American icon." Theatregoers can expect to hear such Holiday classics as "God Bless The Child," "When a Woman Loves a Man" and "Strange Fruit."

Billie Holiday was born in April 1915 and became one of the first and greatest jazz singers of all time. In the 1930s "Lady Day" became a sensation at New York's jazz club, The Apollo, and some of her signature tunes include "Fine and Mellow," "God Bless the Child," "Good Morning Heartache" and her biggest hit, "Lover Man." Her addiction to heroin and opium as well as excessive drinking sparked a rapid decline in health, and the multitalented but troubled Holiday died tragically in July 1959.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill was a 1986 Off-Broadway hit at the Vineyard Theatre.

Gail Nelson has performed on Broadway in Hello, Dolly!; On the Town and Eubie.

The Barrington Stage Company is located at 30 Union Street?in Pittsfield, MA. For more information visit www.barringtonstageco.org.