'Ain't Misbehavin' celebrates Harlem Renaissance, Fats Waller
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It was a time when the cool cats of the coolest of cities, New York, would routinely head each night to the Cotton Club to get their fill of the coolest new beat, swing.
It was the time when Thomas “Fats” Waller reigned as king of music.
“Ain’t Misbehavin,” named after Waller’s well-known song, transports audiences to that golden age in a musical tribute to the great pianist and composer of Tin Pan Alley and beyond. The musical arrives at Titusville Playhouse Sept. 9 and closes Oct. 2.
Waller, as close collaborator Andy Razaf once described him, was “big in body and in mind.” The musical that honors him is likewise robust in scope and content.
“With the music of Fats Waller, 'Ain’t Misbehavin' is a joyous show of music and laughs,” said Playhouse executive artistic director Steven Heron.
“With a cast assembled from across the nation, we welcome five amazing performers to the stage of the Titusville Playhouse. I have been fortunate enough to sit in on two rehearsals and I am blown away by the vocal power of this cast of actors.”
More a musical review than a biographic story, “Ain’t Misbehavin” at Titusville stars Grant Even, Nelashee, Vanessa Triplett, Andre Dion Will and Burgandy Williams. All are exuberant actors - and excellent vocalists - who strut, strum and sing songs made famous by Waller in a career that spanned Big Apple nightclubs to Hollywood films and concert stages around the world.
“Everyone seeing 'Ain’t Misbehavin' at Titusville Playhouse will be experiencing a master class in the art of song,” said Heron.
Heron had his heart set on “Ain’t Misbehavin” well before the pandemic wreaked havoc with the 2020 season. He never questioned who would direct the show.
“When planning the show even back in 2019, I knew I wanted to bring in my friend Kenney Green to direct,” he said.
“I was fortunate enough to work with Kenney in 2004 as my Stepbrother in 'Forever Plaid.' We had more fun than we ever should have.”
Green and Heron kept in touch as both assumed jobs as artistic directors at thriving theaters. Green, as well as some of the cast members, have been associated with several performances of “Ain’t Misbehavin,” because, like potato chips, the show can be addictive.
Timeless music never gets old. So is it with the tunes of “Ain’t Misbehavin,” a musical that not only brings audiences back, but even keeps the cast and crew eager to return for another go.
“It is a show that you want to see and perform over and over again,” said Heron.
If you go
'Ain't Misbehavin''
Where: Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Additional performances have been added for select Saturdays and Thursdays.
Tickets: Start at $25
Info: 321-268-1125
On the web: titusvilleplayhouse.com
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'Ain't Misbehavin' at Titusville Playhouse is vibrant fun
