The Rep's AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' Opens 3/16

By: Mar. 03, 2014
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A Tony Award-winning tour through the legendary Fats Waller songbook, Ain't Misbehavin' dives into the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, the golden age of honky-tonk dives, swing music and stride piano players. Considered "a tribute to the timeless appeal of Waller's music" by The New York Times, Ain't Misbehavin' includes classic Waller hits like "Loungin' at the Waldorf" and "I Can't Give You Anything but Love." Ain't Misbehavin' was conceived by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr. and will be directed by Rep Associate Artist Dan Kazemi, who was the Musical Director of End of The Rainbow, A Christmas Carol, Forever Plaid and Ragtime this season at The Rep.

One of the most popular, well-crafted musical revues of all time, Ain't Misbehavin' is simply unforgettable and will be performed in the now-signature Rep style, with a group of five "Quadruple Threat" actor/singer/dancer/musicians. The cast features Britney Coleman, Christopher James Culberson, Kenney M. Green, Bethany Thomas and Erin Willis. Ain't Misbehavin' runs in the Stackner Cabaret from March 14 - May 18 and opens Sunday, March 16. The Executive Producers for this production are Greg and Rhonda Oberland and the Associate Producers are David and Camille Kundert.

"Anyone who enjoyed last season's Blues in the Night will love this good-time musical revue featuring quadruple-threat performers doing what they do best," says Artistic Director Mark Clements. "Add together this talented array of singer/dancer/actor/instrumentalists and a smoking songbook drawn from the legendary music of Fats Waller, and you'll get a not-to-be-missed musical evening that will blow you away!"

Director Dan Kazemi added, "Ain't Misbehavin' is typically done with a separate band, but in our adaptation, our super talented cast makes the music come alive by singing, dancing and playing their own instruments. We're inviting the audience to join us in this late-night after party in the middle of the Harlem Renaissance."

Milwaukee Rep offers the following Access Services for Ain't Misbehavin':

· Audio-Description Performance, Sunday, March 23, 7pm - the show will be Audio-Described for patrons who are blind or have low vision.

Tickets for Ain't Misbehavin' begin at $40.00. Single Tickets for all of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's 2013/14 productions are now on sale and can be purchased online 24/7 at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, through The Rep's Ticket Office by calling 414-224-9490 or in person at 108 E. Wells Street. Group tickets are also available for purchase by calling Group Sales Manager Joy Surber at 414-290-5340.

To learn more about The Rep or its productions, visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

Britney Coleman, (Actor), is making her Milwaukee Rep debut with Ain't Misbehavin'. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, she received her BFA from the University of Michigan and has since been based out of New York City. New York: St. Ann's Warehouse. Regional: Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Westport Country Playhouse, Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Baltimore Center Stage, Chicago's Stage 773, Fulton Opera House, Maine State Music Theatre and The Wagon Wheel Theatre.

Christopher James Culberson, (Actor), is making his Rep debut with this production. He recently played Andy Wright in Kander and Ebb's The Scottsboro Boys, directed by Susan Stroman. Other theater credits are Scandalous People (Off-Broadway), Bernardo in West Side Story, Adrian in Smokey Joe's Café, Matthew Henson in Ragtime, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and a host of other characters in Chuckleball, and singing in Stephen Sondheim's 75th Birthday Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. His television credits include Jimmy Kimmel Live! and portraying the role of Billy Dee Williams on Biography Channel's Celebrity Ghost Stories. He also recently made his choreographic debut with Freckleface Strawberry.

Kenney M. Green, (Actor), is also making his Rep debut with Ain't Misbehavin'. Off-Broadway credits include: FINKS! (Ensemble Studio Theatre, Drama Desk Nomination) and Growing Up '70?s starring Barry Williams (Luther). National and European tours include: Smokey Joe's Cafe starring Gladys Knight (Victor/Dance Captain), Ain't Misbehavin' and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Ensemble). Regional credits: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Atkins), Avenue Q (Gary Coleman), Diva Diaries: The Musical (Young Randee Jean), The Music Man, The Goodbye Girl, 42nd Street and A Chorus Line. Directing credits: The Full Monty (Westchester Sandbox Theatre), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Emelin Theatre), Almost Connected: The Music of Jimmy Webb, Legally Blonde, Oliver! and Hairspray! Green is an active board member of The Ring Theatre and is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.

Bethany Thomas, (Actor), appeared in The Rep's production of Ragtime last fall. Credits include: South Pacific (Marriott Theatre-Lincolnshire); Hairspray (Drury Lane Theatre); Hair (Paramount Theatre); Porgy and Bess (Court Theatre); We Three Lizas (About Face Theatre); She Loves Me (Writers' Theatre); Cabaret, Sweet and Hot, Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You . . . (Theo Ubique Theatre); Into The Woods, Nine, Ragtime and In Trousers (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Life (BoHo THeatre). A Chicago theater regular, Thomas is the recipient of a Joseph Jefferson Award (and four other Jeff nominations), an After Dark Award and a Black Theatre Alliance Award. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association and works for Broadway In Chicago.

Erin Willis, (Actor), is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Theater credits include: Cameron McIntosh First National Tour of My Fair Lady; Ragtime at Cohoes Music Hall and Dreamgirls at Asbury Park. New York Workshops: Amazing Grace and My Heart is the Drum. Television credits include: Celebrity Ghost Stories. Willis also provides vocals and keyboards for the Indie Rock Band Kenji Urada.

The creative team for Ain't Misbehavin' includes: Dan Kazemi (Director/Music Director); Tom Gleeson (Scenic Designer); Mary Folino (Costume Designer); Aimee Hanyzewski (Lighting Designer); Barry G. Funderburg (Sound Designer); Jenn Rose (Stage Movement Director); JC Clementz (Casting Director) Richelle Harrington Calin (Stage Manager); Rachel Lantow (Stage Management Intern) and Frank Honts (Assistant Director).



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