Barry-Hill, Eskew, MyQueen, Ryan & Walton to Star in Center Theatre Group's "Ain't Misbehavin"

Center Theatre Group announces the casting for one of Broadway's most beloved musicals, the irresistible, toe-tapping, finger-snapping Tony Award-winning revue "Ain't Misbehavin'," The Fats Waller Musical Show, opening April 24, 2009, at the Ahmanson Theatre. Previews begin April 18 and performances continue through May 31.

Conceived and directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., the "Ain't Misbehavin'" cast includes EuGene Barry-Hill, Doug Eskew, Armelia McQueen (who was in the original cast), Roz Ryan and Debra Walton. Choreography is by Arthur Faria, who staged the original production. The music director is William McDaniel.

This is an exclusive CTG engagement that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning revue which pays tribute to one of America's true originals, the charismatic songwriter, singer, pianist and superb entertainer from the 1920s and 30s, Thomas "Fats" Waller. Based on his life and music, "Ain't Misbehavin'" is conceived and directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., who won the 1978 Tony Award for his work on the original production.

The fun-filled musical brings the audience into the world which Fats Waller helped make famous - the world of places such as The Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom, of honky tonk dives along Lenox Avenue, of rent parties, of stride piano players, and most importantly, that new beat - swing.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" includes 30 songs, all presented with the zest for life and cheeky humor for which Waller was known: "The Joint is Jumpin'," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Mean to Me," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Two Sleepy People," "T'ain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do," "Your Feet's Too Big," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "Black and Blue," "Ain't Misbehavin'" and more.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" is based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard

Maltby, Jr.
Tickets for "Ain't Misbehavin'" start at $20 and are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Music Center. For the deaf community, call TDD (213) 680-4017 for tickets and information.