The Schubert Theater, a three-quarter “round” black-box theater in the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, is always a great setting for up-close and personal performances at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

The theater, with U-shaped arena seating, lends itself especially well for “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill,” starring Ebony Pullum in the title role of Billie Holiday. The Lehigh Valley debut of the one-woman show continues through Aug. 6. The July 21 opening night performance was seen for this review.

The sense for the theater-goer is that of being in a restaurant cabaret for what is purported to be one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, in Philadelphia in 1959, as presented in the play by Lanie Robertson with music arrangements by Danny Holgate and directed by Amina Robinson, is further enhanced by Scenic Designer Charlie Calvert’s placement of five cabaret-style deuces (a table for two) in the area in front of a raised stage, with old-fashioned microphone, and backdrop of brick wall with cafe lights and upholstered sections, swathed in mostly red and blue hues by Lighting Designer Trey Brazeal.

Pullum saunters on stage in a lovely white Greek goddess-inspired draped gown by Costume Designer Levonne Lindsay. With Music Director Cedric D. Lyles, piano; Delorean Fullington, bass, and Tarek Mohamed, drums, Pullum sings some 14 songs from Billie Holiday’s repertoire in the 90-minute show (with no intermission).

Pullum has the sweet honeyed-highs, raspy lows, and what might be described as little yodel-like or hiccup in-betweens, as well as breathy pauses, emblematic of Holiday’s style. Pullum brings her own sensibility to the vocals, such that she is not doing an impersonation, but rather an interpretation, of Billie Holiday (1915 - 1959), nicknamed Lady Day. The result is more than a tribute show. It’s that of an actor portraying the singer, replete with easy “heh-heh” laughs, angling her face just so in the spotlight, and teasing the audience or pianist Lyles (in the role of Billie Holiday’s pianist Jimmy Powers).

The play is as tipsy as apparently was Billie Holiday, swallowing the booze and wallowing in drugs, as she attempts coherent excuses, much to the chagrin of Powers, head in hands at the piano. The representations of Billie Holiday in an addled state of mind and body are infrequent. For most of the show, Pullum presents not only a self-assured but sassy Billie Holiday, who emphatically and defiantly says, “Singing is how you feel.”

There’s a deep sadness in those words, for while that may be true, an emphasis solely on feelings may have been the very thing that got Billie Holiday, as is the case with many entertainers, into trouble.

My glib pop psychology observation aside, “Lady Day” is powered by Pullum’s vocals and emotion, backed by the excellent, always in the pocket trio, who lay down a cool groove. The drummer uses brushes to excellent effect. The bass player has a sonorous tone. Lyles, seated on a chair at the piano, really strides out with the left and arpeggios magnificently with the right at the 88s. Sound Designer is Larry D. Fowler, Jr.

Among the songs: “What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” a Billie Holiday hit as romantic as they come; “T’aint Nobody’s Biz-nezz,” which could be Billie Holiday’s calling card: “God Bless The Child,” with music and lyrics by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog, and “Strange Fruit,” with a devastating lesson that can’t be taught, and now may not be taught in some sectors.

To add a lighter touch, the proceedings couldn’t get any cuter than when Pullum waltzes out, carrying her dog, Bruno (appearing as Billie Holiday’s pet Pepi).

The play premiered in 1986 at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Ga.; played Off-Broadway, and opened on Broadway in 2014. The play won the 1987 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Book.

Pullum is reprising the role of Billie Holiday, which she performed at Florida Repertory Theatre, Ft. Myers, Fla., and Curio Theatre Company, Philadelphia.

“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” is a must-see for fans of Billie Holiday, aficionados of the Great American Songbook, and those who enjoy a night out at a jazz cabaret.

“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill,” 7:30 p.m. July 19, 20-23, 26-28, Aug. 2-4; 2 p.m. July 23, 30, Aug. 6; 6:30 p.m. July 25, Aug. 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 29, Aug. 5. Attendees can request table seating. Talk-back after July 27, Aug. 3 performances. Audio-described, open-captioned performance, 2 p.m. Aug. 5. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. Tickets: 610-282-9455, http://pashakespeare.org