Ain't Misbehavin' - 1978 - Broadway Articles Page 9

The holiday musical at Performance Network has become a tradition for many - including thousands that flocked to last year's hit 'The Drowsy Chaperone.' This year the professional theatre brings another Broadway musical extravaganza to Ann Arbor with the 1978 Tony award winning 'Ain't Misbehavin'.'

Michael Riedel writes today in the New York Post, after attending the final performance of the Andre De Shields directed Ain't Misbehavin' at the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick, NJ that the show might soon be headed back to Broadway.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Interim Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents the Tony Award-winning musical Ain't Misbehavin' on the Mainstage from Oct. 26 through Nov. 20.

Long Wharf Theatre completes its 2011-12 season offerings by adding a classic work by one of the world's great playwrights.

A two-time Tony Award nominee, De Shields, whose prolific career spans more than four decades, was a member of the original company of Ain't Misbehavin' which initially opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club's cabaret in February, 1978.

Film and television star Jerry O'Connell, now in rehearsals to make his Broadway debut in the World Premiere of Alan Rickman starring in the new comedy SEMINAR by Theresa Rebeck, will co-host 'Live! with Regis and Kelly' this Thursday morning, October 13.

These days, economic survival is top of mind for many non-profit arts organization. But in the midst of announced theater closures, and lay-offs nationwide, Ann Arbor's professional theater has some good news to report.

Crossroads Theater Co presents Ain't Misbehavin', a play based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Interim Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents the Tony Award-winning musical Ain't Misbehavin' on the Mainstage from Oct. 26 through Nov. 20.

Welcome to the effervescent, energetic world of Fats Waller, a world of rent parties, hot jazz and the exuberance of the Harlem Renaissance. The 'joint' will definitely be 'jumpin' as Crossroads Theatre Company presents the Tony Award- winning musical, Ain't Misbehavin', directed and choreographed by André De Shields. The season-opening show will run from October 6 through 23. Tickets are on sale now!

Long Wharf Theatre completes its 2011-12 season offerings by adding a classic work by one of the world's great playwrights.

AL JOLSON, once dubbed as The World's Greatest Entertainer, will return to North Hollywood at the historic El Portal Theatre in the person of critically acclaimed Broadway actor, MIKE BURSTYN (Winner of Two Israeli 'Oscars'; Broadway: Barnum; Off-Broadway: Lansky) starring in the titular role as Al Jolson. The Los Angeles Premiere of the new musical, JOLSON AT THE WINTER GARDEN, will be backed by a live on stage band and three back-up singers.

After a memorable and record-breaking inaugural year, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater celebrates its 61st anniversary season with Trouble in Mind, written by playwright Alice Childress. Childress was the first African-American woman to have her plays professionally produced in New York, and she became the first woman of color to win an Obie Award, in 1956 for Trouble in Mind (Best Original Production).

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) closes it's season with the Tony Award-winning musical, THE WIZ, playing August 10 - August 27 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. THE WIZ brings a mix of soul, rock and gospel music to Brunswick and a twist on L. Frank Baum's iconic story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

Single tickets are now on sale for Long Wharf Theatre's 2011-12 season, one replete with innovative new plays, classic dramas and great musicals.

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) closes it's season with the Tony Award-winning musical, THE WIZ, playing August 10 - August 27 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. THE WIZ brings a mix of soul, rock and gospel music to Brunswick and a twist on L. Frank Baum's iconic story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

Ann Arbor's professional theatre turns 30 next year, and as the award-winning troupe wraps up its 29th season with record-breaking attendance, PNT announces its long-awaited 30th anniversary season.

Dallas Theater Center proudly presents The Wiz at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center July 8 - August 7. Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty will direct the first-ever collaboration between Dallas Theater Center and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Dallas Theater Center proudly presents The Wiz at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center July 8 - August 7. Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty will direct the first-ever collaboration between Dallas Theater Center and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Ain't Misbehavin', the Fats Waller revue that pays a rousing homage to a bygone musical era of the Harlem Renaissance, will kick off a season of musical productions at Crossroads Theatre Company this fall.

Long Wharf Theatre completes its 2011-12 season offerings by adding a classic work by one of the world's great playwrights.

Hit making group and Soul Train Hall of Fame members The Pointer Sisters are set to perform their greatest hits of the 70s and 80s at The Orleans Showroom, July 16 and 17, each evening at 8 p.m.

In an era when Waller had to enter some of the places he played by a side door, it would have been inhuman to resist completely the allure of white privilege. It's all on view in his song LOUNGIN' AT THE WALDORF, which contrasts the kind of freedom and looseness he could enjoy performing in Harlem with the stiffer, whiter milieu of the Waldorf Astoria. Nevertheless: "Ain't it swell doin' swell with the swells in the swellest hotel of them all? One of the strengths of the show is that it doesn't whitewash (if I may use that word here) this part of Waller's legacy.

A woman facing a life changing decision. Two men dealing with the aftermath of combat. A man searching for the value of his life. A group of friends trying to find creativity and love. These are just some of the characters on stage in Long Wharf Theatre's 2011-12 season, one replete with innovative new plays, classic dramas and great musicals.

Where you could possibly find five more charming and engaging performers than the cast assembled by director/choreographer Ryan Bowie for his winning revival of Ain't Misbehavin' - now onstage through March 5 at Clarksville's Roxy Regional Theatre - is beyond me! These five dazzling entertainers deliver a musical jolt of electricity that completely enlivens the dark, frigid days of winter, taking audiences on a musical and historical journey through the Harlem Renaissance via the life and career of Mrs. Waller's bouncing 250-pound baby boy, Thomas - better known as 'Fats.'