Ain't Misbehavin'

The inimitable Thomas 'Fats' Waller rose to international fame during the Golden Age of the Cotton Club and that jumpin' new beat, swing music. Although not quite a biography, Ain't Misbehavin' evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast struts, strums and sings the songs that he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

February 15, 2018 - Broadway Palm is thrilled to present the international hit sensation MAMMA MIA! now through April 7, 2018. Over sixty million people around the world have fallen in love with the charming story, the delightful characters and the timeless ABBA music which makes Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show!

Porchlight Music Theatre announces Merrily We Roll Along, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, with direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, associate direction and musical staging by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham has been extended through March 17 at Porchlght's home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Merrily We Roll Along is based on the play by the same name written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. 

Porchlight Music Theatre announced that Lorenzo Rush Jr has replaced James Earl Jones II in Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber that discusses the evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and the state of the art on Broadway that season. Single tickets to They're Playing Our Song and subscriptions for the entire series are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

Greenville Little Theatre (GLT) will bring an epic piece of musical theatre to the stage with their upcoming production of Ragtime. This Tony award winning musical features some of the Upstate's most vocally talented performers; including Meg Foster, Jessica Eckenrod, Luke Browder, John Kilpatrick, Khristin Stephens, and features Greenville's own Delvin Choice in what might be his last local performance before pursuing his dreams of Broadway.

On March 5, 2018, TADA! Youth Theater will host its annual gala at Tribeca 360 in Manhattan  with special performances by Leslie Uggams and Tommy Tune. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, live and silent

This past weekend, theatergoers had the exciting opportunity to attend 'Ain't Misbehavin' The Fats Waller Musical' directed by Andre De Shields at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). The dazzling show was performed in NJPAC's Victoria Theater from Thursday, February 1st through Sunday February 4th with sold-out performances.

Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere of the American Repertory Theater production of In The Body of The World, written and performed by Tony Award winner Eve Enslerand directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, opens tonight at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Performances began on Tuesday, January 16.

Seattle Musical Theatre (SMT) is proud to announce its upcoming production of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'.

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.

Last night, NJPAC and Crossroads Theatre Company celebrated the opening night performance of their 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.

Tony and Drama Desk nominee and multi-Audelco Award winner Andre De Shields and internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan are among the artists who will be honored at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards Gala on Monday, March 12 at 6:30 pm at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. As is the Bistro Award tradition, the evening will feature performances by all of the winners.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the next mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Merrily We Roll Along, January 26 - March 11,  2018, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, with direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, associate direction and musical staging by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham at Porchlght's home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Merrily We Roll Along is based on the play by the same name written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. (March 4 and March 11) and 6 p.m. (February 4, February 11, February 18 and February 25) with a weekday matinee Thursday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. There is no 4 p.m. performance Saturday, Feb. 3 and no 7:30 p.m. performance on Thursday, March 8. Tickets are $33 - $60 and are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884.

NJPAC and Crossroads Theatre Company are co-presenting an encore production of Ain't Misbehavin', in NJPAC's Victoria Theatre from Thursday, February 1 to Sunday, February 4.

The Winter Park Playhouse, Central Florida's professional musical theatre, announces their 2018-2019 Mainstage Series of musical productions!

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) is pleased to announce the lineup for this spring'sTed Snowdon Reading Series.

From February 1 to February 6, NJPAC and Crossroads Theatre Company will present an encore production of Ain't Misbehavin' directed by Andre De Shields. Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Marshall Jones III, the Producing Artistic Director of Crossroads Theatre Company about 'Crossroads on the Road' and the upcoming production of Ain't Misbehavin'.

Flying Elephant Productions has announced its inaugural season, launching this winter with the world premiere of WE THE PEOPLE SONGS OF THE RESISTANCE, a political song cycle about the 2016 election, which takes audiences from the conventions through election night and its immediate aftermath into the realization of Trump's America and finally, a call to action from We The People.

TexARTS closes its record-breaking box office season with the Tony Award-nominated and Grammy Award-winning musical Smokey Joe's Cafe. This tribute to legendary songwriters Leiber and Stoller is a dazzling, song-and-dance celebration featuring 40 of rock 'n' roll's greatest hits, including 'Hound Dog,' 'Stand by Me,' 'Yakety Yak,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Spanish Harlem,' 'On Broadway,' 'Kansas City,' 'Love Potion #9,' and 'Fools Fall in Love.' Smokey Joe's Caf plays on stage February 15 March 4 at the Kam & James Morris Theatre in Lakeway.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have just announced the first two Broadway productions slated for Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming 2018-2019 season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

The Trustees of The Laurents / Hatcher Foundation, Inc. are pleased to announce that SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS by Donja R. Love is the recipient of the Laurents / Hatcher Foundation Award. Mr. Love will receive $50,000, and Manhattan Theatre Club, who will present the world premiere in June 2018, will receive $100,000 towards the production.

The Manatee Performing Arts Center announces its 70th season with three show series. The upcoming 2018 19 season was announced Monday, January 22.

Porchlight Music Theatre continues its fifth season of Chicago's lost musicals in staged concert series with Porchlight Revisits They're Playing Our Song, starring Sharriese Hamilton and James Earl Jones II, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and book by Neil Simon, with direction and choreography by Christopher Carter and musical direction by Andra Velis Simon. Porchlight Revisits They're Playing our Song is presented for three-nights-only Tuesday, March 6 through Thursday, March 8 at 7:15 p.m. and is performed on the set of Porchlight's Merrily We Roll Along (previews begin January 26) at Porchlight's new home, The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for They're Playing Our Song are $35. All tickets include access to the popular pre-performance event, Behind the Show Backstory, a multimedia presentation, created and hosted by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber that discusses the evening's production including the show's creative history, juicy backstage gossip and the state of the art on Broadway that season. Single tickets to They're Playing Our Song and subscriptions for the entire series are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

Manhattan Theatre Club's American premiere of The Royal Court Theatre's production of The Children begins the final two weeks of its run at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The production will play its final performance Sunday, February 4.

Tony and Drama Desk nominee and multi-Audelco Award and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Andr De Shields will be honored at the 33rd Annual Bistro Awards on Monday, March 12, where he will be receiving the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award, the Bistro Awards' highest honor, for his five decades of stage and nightclub accomplishments.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, presents A Moon for the Misbegotten, written by Eugene O'Neill and directed by WT Resident Director William Brown. A Moon for the Misbegotten runs February 7 March 18, 2018 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced that Manhattan Theatre Club will present the American Repertory Theater production of In the Body of the World, written and performed by Tony Award winner Eve Ensler and directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, as part of MTC's 2017-2018 season.

Performances begin tomorrow Tuesday, January 16 for Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere of the American Repertory Theater production of In The Body of The World, written and performed by Tony Award winner Eve Ensler and directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus. Opening night is set for Tuesday, February 6 at MTC at New York City Center Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

TexARTS closes its record-breaking box office season with the Tony Award-nominated and Grammy Award-winning musical Smokey Joe's Cafe. This tribute to legendary songwriters Leiber and Stoller is a dazzling, song-and-dance celebration featuring 40 of rock 'n' roll's greatest hits, including 'Hound Dog,' 'Stand by Me,' 'Yakety Yak,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Spanish Harlem,' 'On Broadway,' 'Kansas City,' 'Love Potion #9,' and 'Fools Fall in Love.' Smokey Joe's Caf plays on stage February 15 March 4 at the Kam & James Morris Theatre in Lakeway.

'We had been jamming in the carriage house for almost two years and sounded pretty good,' recalls Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor, 'I had brought in a digital recorder and we even made a demo of about 4 or five songs.' 'The only thing,' added Eddie Ray Johnson, 'was that all we knew were about 4 or five songs... completely. We also knew a couple of Mwalim's originals; but otherwise, we barely had a complete set. The next rehearsal, Mwalim casually mentions that we had two gigs coming up, both on the same day.'

The Second City announces complete casting for the return of The Second City's She the People: Girlfriends' Guide to Sisters Doing It for Themselves, a sketch show created, designed and performed entirely by the women of Second City. Back by popular demand, She the People features Carisa Barreca, Alex Bellisle, Katie Caussin, Maria Randazzo, Alexis J Roston and Kimberly Michelle Vaughn. Under the direction of Carly Heffernan with musical direction by Mary Mahoney, She the People runs January 11 April 1, 2018, in The Second City's UP Comedy Club, with the press opening on Thursday, January 18th at 8pm. Tickets start at $26 and can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 312-337-3992 or online at www.secondcity.com. UP Comedy Club is located on the 3rd Floor of Piper's Alley at 230 W North Ave, Chicago.

When NJPAC and Crossroads Theatre Company needed a director for their upcoming co-production of Ain't Misbehavin', they landed an artist who says the show is part of his 'performing DNA.'

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the second production in its 2017 2018 season of Chicago's hit musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway 1959, hosted by Gene Weygandt, directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo with music direction by David Fiorello, Monday, Feb. 26 at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave in Skokie at 7:30 p.m. In tribute to the original New Faces series that ran on Broadway and on film from 1934 1968, Porchlight Music Theatre created the Chicago musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway as a showcase for the best emerging music talent now performing on Chicago stages.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

On his continuing journey through the works of Stephen Sondheim, director Spiro Veloudos brings us Sondheim's latest work,Road Show, the true boom-and-bust story of two of the most colorful and outrageous fortune-seekers in American history. From the Alaskan Gold Rush to the Florida real estate boom in the 1930s, entrepreneur Addison Mizner and his fast-talking brother Wilson were proof positive that the road to the American Dream is often a seductive, treacherous tightrope walk.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced a post-performance Beyond the Stage talkback series for Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere of the American Repertory Theater production of In the Body of the World, written and performed by Tony Award winner Eve Ensler and directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus.

A friendly reminder that previews begin tomorrow, Friday, December 15 at 8PM for the Playwrights Horizons world premiere production of Mankind, a new play written and directed by two-time Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy, Bella: An American Tall Tale at Playwrights; Barbecue, In the Continuum, The Brother/Sister Plays).

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will present a special holiday concert not to be missed, with special guest stars Rumer Willis ('Dancing with the Stars,' Broadway's Chicago), Lea DeLaria (Broadway, comedy and jazz star, 'Orange is the New Black'), Claybourne Elder ('Gossip Girl,' Broadway's Sunday in the Park...), Nova Payton (Helen Hayes Award winner), Mobley (singer/songwriter featured on HBO, Fox and NBC) and Luke Hawkins (Star tap dancer from 'America's Got Talent').

Playwrights Horizons presents Mankind, the world premiere of a new play written and directed by two-time Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy, Bella: An American Tall Tale at Playwrights; Barbecue, In the Continuum, The Brother/Sister Plays).

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, has announced complete casting for their production of the original 1947 radio play of Miracle on 34th Street, which is being presented in honor of its 70th anniversary for a limited engagement of 14 performances from December 14 to 23 (press opening is December 15).

Broadway singer, LGBTQ+ advocate, and alum of The Voice, Frenchie Davis will host The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps (LGBAC) Symphonic Band's holiday extravaganza, Silver Screen Holidays, today December 14, 2017 at Peter Norton Symphony Space.

The greatest collaboration against racism in American History before the Civil Rights Movement was The Underground Railroad, in which persons of all ethnic backgrounds, from North and South, came together to help escaped slaves make their way to free territory.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ain't Misbehavin'. Experience the glory of the Harlem Renaissance in a musical production brimming with 'contagious energy' (The New York Times).

China Broadway Entertainment announces its latest original global musical: Road to Heaven: The Jonathan Lee Musical. Adapted from the novel by internationally acclaimed author Li Xiuwen, the original musical will feature music by one of China's most iconic singer-songwriters Jonathan Lee.

Tony Award winner Jim Dale and Tony nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Robert Cuccioli headline in HERE'S LOVE TO THE MUSIC MAN: A Celebration of Songwriter Meredith Willson, the opening event of The Ziegfeld Society's ninth Season, honoring the 60th Anniversary of THE MUSIC MAN which received the 1958 Tony Award for Best Musical, and its legendary creator, Meredith Willson.

UnsungMusicals Co. announced today its plans for the 2018 season.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Luna Stage has announced SoloFest 2017, opening December 8th and continuing through December 17th.

The New Jersey theatre scene is in full swing with holiday productions and shows planned for the New Year. Give gift of the performing arts to your friends, colleagues and loved ones for the holidays.