Ain’t Misbehavin’
A Musical Revue Tribute to the Music of Fats Waller
by Murray Horwitz & Richard Maltby Jr.
Director - Enrico Banson
Musical Director – Thaddeus Pinkston
Choreographer - Tiana Hester
Producer – Elizabeth Wood & Marty Newton
April 24 - 29, 2023
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
The Broadway musical "Ain't Misbehavin'" is a tribute to the golden age of jazz and the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. The show first opened on Broadway in 1978 and quickly became a hit, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical that same year.
The musical was created and originally directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., with musical arrangements by Luther Henderson. It was inspired by the music of legendary jazz musician Fats Waller, and the show's title comes from one of Waller's most famous songs, "Ain't Misbehavin'".
The musical features a cast of talented performers singing and dancing to classic jazz and blues tunes, including numbers by Waller, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith. The show is set in a Harlem speakeasy, and the characters are a group of friends who come together to sing, dance, and have a good time in the face of the hardships of the Great Depression.
"Ain't Misbehavin'" was a critical and commercial success from the moment it opened on Broadway. It ran for over 1,600 performances and spawned several national tours and international productions. The show has become a staple of regional theater and community theater groups, and is often performed in concerts and revivals.
In addition to its success on Broadway, "Ain't Misbehavin'" has been recognized for its historical significance as a tribute to the music and culture of the Harlem Renaissance. It is considered one of the first musicals to celebrate BlackAfrican American culture on Broadway, and its popularity helped to pave the way for future shows that celebrate diversity and inclusiveness.
MEET THE CAST
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Dave Abrams
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Safira McGrew
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Marla Cox
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Justin Daily
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Andrea Daniel
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Rudy Brown