Photo Flash: Rheaume Crenshaw, Johmaalya Adelekan, David Samuel, Zurin Villanueva and Borris York In Crossroads Theatre's AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' At NJPAC
NJPAC and Crossroads Theatre Company are co-presenting a limited encore production of Ain't Misbehavin', starring Johmaalya Adelekan as Armelia (Ragtime), Zurin Villanueva as Charlaine (Mean Girls and Shuffle Along), Rheaume Crenshaw as Nell (Groundhog Day), David Samuel as Ken (Ruined, Arena Stage), Borris York as Andre (Holiday Inn; Love Never Dies, U.S. tour), with musical direction from David Alan Bunn, in NJPAC's Victoria Theatre through February 4.
Two-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy-winning actor André De Shields was an original cast member of Ain't Misbehavin' when it opened on Broadway in 1978 and swept up a few Tonys, including best musical. De Shields returned to direct and choreograph this acclaimed production of the Fats Waller award-winning musical, which premiered during Crossroads Theatre Company's 2011-2012 season. The show was conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz.
Scroll down for production photos.
Immerse yourself in the energetic, exuberant and effervescent world of the 1920s and '30s, from Manhattan nightclubs like the Cotton Club and Savoy Ballroom to Harlem rent parties with stride piano players banging out a new beat known as swing!
The creative team includes costume design by Deborah Caney, sound design by Joshua D. Reid, scenic and lighting design by Burke Wilmore, assistant choreographer Camille Moten and Production Stage Manager Brian Westmoreland.
The band includes Kenneth Crutchfield (drums), George Grier (bass), Irwin Hall (clarinet/tenor sax), Robert Stringer (trombone) and Donald Malloy (trumpet).
The remaining performances are on Saturday, February 3 at 3pm and 8pm and Sunday, February 4 at 3pm and 8pm. For tickets, please visit http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/aint-misbehavin or call 1.888.GO.NJPAC.
NJPAC is located at 1 Center Street in the heart of Newark's Arts District. The Center has convenient parking and mass transit options.
Crossroads is also currently On The Road! While Crossroads Theatre Company awaits Fall 2019 for the arrival of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, the Company will take their productions on the road in New Jersey. After their stop at NJPAC, they will present the world premiere of the cutting-edge satire Back to the Real, by Pia Wilson, at Rutgers University on May 28.
Crossroads Theatre Company continues to lead the nation with its commitment to literary works that examine the African American experience so that it may be understood and appreciated by all people. When co-founders Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson envisioned a space where, as actors, the two young men could work on substantive, non-stereotypical roles, little did they realize that their vision would grow into the major institution that it is today. Crossroads has filled an otherwise empty space on the cultural canvas of the country and the world, with a collective body of work that remains unparalleled by any other of culturally-specific theater in the nation by presenting over 50 world premieres. Crossroads forged its vision into reality through the development, production and touring of new works from throughout the African Diaspora where positive images of African American life, history and culture is celebrated. These honest theatrical portrayals helped move the consciousness of the nation forward. Crossroads continues to lead twenty-first century story-telling by building bridges of understanding and veracity between people of all backgrounds in this society and the world. Find out more at CrossroadsTheatreCompany.org.
Photo Credit: Lia Chang
Rheaume Crenshaw, David Samuel, Zurin Villanueva, Borris York and Johmaalya Adelekan
Johmaalya Adelekan, David Samuel, Zurin Villanueva, Borris York and Rheaume Crenshaw
Johmaalya Adelekan, David Samuel, Zurin Villanueva, Borris York and Rheaume Crenshaw
Musical Director David Alan Bunn
Zurin Villanueva and Borris York
Rheaume Crenshaw and Borris York
Rheaume Crenshaw, Zurin Villanueva, David Alan Bunn and David Samuel
Rheaume Crenshaw and David Samuel
Johmaalya Adelekan, Rheaume Crenshaw, Zurin Villanueva
Johmaalya Adelekan,Rheaume Crenshaw, Zurin Villanueva
Rheaume Crenshaw, David Samuel, Johmaalya Adelekan, Zurin Villanueva, Borris York
Johmaalya Adelekan, David Samuel, Zurin Villanueva, Borris York and Rheaume Crenshaw
Johmaalya Adelekan, David Samuel, Borris York, Rheaume Crenshaw, Zurin Villanueva
Borris York, Zurin Villanueva, Johmaalya Adelekan, Rheaume Crenshaw
Johmaalya Adelekan, Zurin Villanueva, Rheaume Crenshaw
Borris York, David Alan Bunn, Rheaume Crenshaw, Zurin Villanueva, Johmaalya Adelekan, David Samuel
Rheaume Crenshaw, Johmaalya Adelekan
Johmaalya Adelekan, David Samuel, Zurin Villanueva, Borris York and Rheaume Crenshaw
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