Two other Ellington efforts, "Jump for Joy" and "Queenie Pie," never did.

He even called "Queenie Pie," with its jazzy, bluesy and Broadway character, an "opera comique."

He tried, but none - 'Queenie Pie,' 'Jump for Joy' - got there.

His last was the musical "Queenie Pie," which he did not complete.

The main attraction was a concert version of "Queenie Pie," with music and lyrics by Ellington.

(A different reconstruction of "Queenie Pie" was performed in Philadelphia and Washington in 1986.)

In its New York premiere, "Queenie Pie" was less cohesive.

While "Queenie Pie" isn't all prime Ellington, a better performance might help.

"Queenie Pie" is well along, "practically finished," from the lyricist's point of view.

But the festival hopes for better luck when "Queenie Pie" opens on Broadway next season.