Q.The musical “Play On,” through Aug. 16 at the Goodman Theatre, has a character named Duke based on Duke Ellington, whose music is celebrated in the show. At one point he says to a woman who has been masquerading as a man, “So your name is Viola Willamina and my real name is . . . Frances. Don’t ask.” Is Duke Ellington’s real name Frances?
A. No. It’s Edward Kennedy Ellington. He got the nickname “Duke” when he was 5 because of the flamboyant way his parents dressed him.
Why did Cheryl West, the playwright, use Frances? “The character is only loosely based on Ellington,” she said. “We were just trying to contrast this virile, regal man with a feminine name. We needed a name that could be of any gender and we played around with several, and then Sheldon (Epps, the director) suggested Frances, which is his sister’s name.” And, although audiences don’t detect the difference, they chose to spell it the feminine way. “We were just being playful,” she said.
Did you consider having Duke say, “My real name is . . . Edward Kennedy”?
“No. But that’s kind of funny.”