Thursday, July 17, 2008

Preview: Jubilee Theatre’s Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show

By Rick A. Elina of North Dallas Gazette

Jubilee Theatre closes its 2007-2008 season with the Tony Award winning Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr. Directing Jubilee’s production of Ain't Misbehavin' is Ron Himes, the Founder and Producing Director of the St. Louis Black Repertory. The show opens July 18.

“The joint is jumping!” The Harlem Renaissance was the Golden Age for venues like The Cotton Club and The Savoy Ballroom; a time when the dives along Lenox Avenue were ablaze from stride piano players banging out a new beat – swing. Ain't Misbehavin' is a vibrant musical revue and tribute to the black musicians of the early 1900s that centers on the music of one of the most prolific musicians of the time, Thomas “Fats” Waller.

Fats Waller was born in New York City on May 21, 1904. The son of a Baptist lay preacher, his mother played organ and piano in the church. At age 6 he began playing the piano and by age 18 had his first recording with Okeh Records. In addition to his virtuosic playing Fats was also known for his sly comedic quips during his performances.

Bold, bright, and told with the cheeky humor for which Fats Waller was known, this award winning musical has become a classic of African-American theatre that is sure to bring the house down and keep you singing, and swinging, into the street. The musical is named after the 1929 Waller song "Ain't Misbehavin'." Five performers present an evening of rowdy and humorous songs that encapsulate the various moods of the era. This production is appropriate for all ages.

With musical direction by Joe Rogers and choreography by Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, Ain't Misbehavin' features a cast that includes Major Attaway, Ashley Duplechain, Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, Tiffany Mann, and Cedric Neal. Designers include set design by Brynn Bristol, lighting design by Michael Pettigrew, and costume design by Drenda Lewis.

Ain't Misbehavin' opens on July 18 and the show runs through August 10. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Preview performance tickets are $10; tickets range from $16 to $25 for the run of the production. Post performance discussions will be offered on July 13 and July 24. Season tickets for Jubilee Theatre’s 2008-2009 Season go on sale to the public July 11. Tickets can be purchased from the Jubilee Theatre Box Office by calling 817-338-4411 Tuesday through Friday between noon and 6 p.m. or online by visiting the Jubilee website.

Rick A. Elina is a playwright based in Plano, Texas and is the Theatre Critic for The North Dallas Gazette.

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