Dayton Playhouse presents spirited jazz musical ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ ’
Dayton native Murray Horwitz and famed lyricist Richard Maltby Jr.’s 1978 Tony Award-winning, rarely staged musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’” continues at the Dayton Playhouse through Sunday, Feb. 3.
A breezy, cabaret-esque look at the songwriting of legendary jazz pianist Thomas “Fats” Waller (1904-1943), “Ain’t Misbehavin’” spotlights 30 classic tunes, accented by various composers and lyricists, including “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “The Ladies Who Sing with the Band,” “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling,” “The Joint Is Jumpin’’ and the title number. Although the musical at its core is an engaging, playful tribute to iconic 1920s and 1930s Manhattan hot spots such as the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom, the Playhouse has added featured dancers Kiersten Farmer and Nasir Peterson to bolster the action through Waller’s music.
“It is very much an adult show that celebrates African-Americans, the Harlem Renaissance, jazz, and World War II,” said director Dawn Roth-Smith, who staged the Playhouse’s 2018 FutureFest-winning play “Of Men and Cars.” “I am honored to be directing this show and the cast, staff and I have had a lot of really meaningful discussions about the Harlem Renaissance, jazz and the history of African-American music in America. I’ve learned a lot and I believe we all have. One of my favorite rehearsals included discussion of the number ‘Black and Blue.’ A fellow staff member had a completely different take on the words than the cast did. We all decided it would be up to the cast to help everyone in the audience understand the correct meanings. Our cast of three women and two men are exceptionally talented and no one should miss this show.”
“I had the pleasure of seeing this wonderful musical back in high school during my senior trip to New York,” recalled actor William “Kip” Moore, who has fond memories of the original cast consisting of Ken Page, Andre De Shields, Charlaine Woodard, Armelia McQueen, and a star-making turn by a pre-“Gimme a Break!” Nell Carter. “Mr. Waller’s stride piano style takes the audience on a roller coaster ride through the 1920s and 1930s. It’s not often we get a chance to do or see a musical with such a rich history in the storytelling of the times. I hope everyone who comes to the show has a toe-tapping, fingersnapping good time and walks away remembering the great tunes of Mr. Fats Waller.”
In addition to Moore, who will portray Page’s role and was seen last season at the Playhouse as Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid,” the cast includes Stephanie Radford, Andrea Wilborn, Bryana Bentley, and Everett Walker. The show features a seven-piece band directed by Ron Kindell with Bryon Dobbs on piano. Choreographer Jeffrey Payne, costumer Theresa Kahle and lighting designer Richard Lee Waldeck are also a part of the artistic team.
“Waller’s music has and will always connect with people,” Roth-Smith added. “I hope the audience leaves with the music stuck in their heads, (researches) Fats Waller, and buys his music. I also hope this (diverse) production reminds everyone that the theatre community in Dayton is a welcoming community.”
11. What to Eat When Roizen/Crupain
12. Killing the SS O’Reilly/Dugard
13. Gmorning, Gnight! Miranda/Sun
14. Skinnytaste One and Done Gina Homolka Gail Honeyman Brené Brown W. Bruce Cameron Brittany Williams
5. Sapiens Yuval Noah Harari
6. The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook Jen Fisch
7. Can’t Hurt Me David Goggins
8. One Day in December Josie Silver
9. Texas Ranger Patterson/Bourelle
10. Keto Quick Start Diane Sanfilippo
11. The Odd 1s Out James Rallison
12. Less Andrew Sean Greer
13. Instant Pot Fast & Easy Urvashi Pitre
14. Sold on a Monday Kristina McMorris
15. The Wife Between Us Hendricks/ Pekkanen