Bells Are Ringing

Long before there were answering machines, there were telephone answering services. Operators would give and take messages all day for those who could not be near a phone. This musical — with music by Jule Styne and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green — focuses on Ella Peterson, one such operator. Ella has become a fixture in the lives of her hapless clients, including playwright Jeffrey Moss, who has just broken up with his writing partner and has no confidence to continue. Ella takes up the challenge of setting Moss on a course to success. Their romantic entanglement became one of the great hits of the golden age of American musicals. Songs include “Long Before I Knew You,” “The Party’s Over,” and “Just in Time.” Guy Seter directs this musical, with original choreography by Jason Adams.