On Stage: 'Ain’t Misbehavin' Harlem musical revue has rescheduled opening in Lake County

Linda Florea
·3 min read

The Bay Street Players are in rehearsals of the three-time Tony Award-winning musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin” with a rescheduled opening Jan. 20.

Sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry and featuring the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller and the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 30s songs include “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Black and Blue,” “This Joint is Jumpin’” “Cash for your Trash,” and “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling” with four performers on stage at the State Theatre in Eustis Jan. 20-30.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” is one of the most dynamic musical reviews of all time with classic Fats Waller songs exemplary of the so called Harlem Renaissance,” said Bay Street Artistic Director Carlos Francisco Asse. “It is an audience pleaser that is so much fun. You’ll be clapping and jumping out of your seat.”

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The cast includes Ashley Hall as Armelia, Dr. Melody Duckins as Charlaine, David Oliver Willis, who was a contestant on three seasons of American idol, as Andre and William Powell on piano.

Music direction is by Stephen Merritt and costumes by Bonnie Swanson and Kate Olsen.

Artistic Director Carlos Francisco Asse, left, and board member Rick Breese discussing building the set from the blueprint for "Ain't Misbehavin by the Bay Street Players on stage Jan 20-30.
Artistic Director Carlos Francisco Asse, left, and board member Rick Breese discussing building the set from the blueprint for "Ain't Misbehavin by the Bay Street Players on stage Jan 20-30.

For tickets and information, go to eustisstatetheatre.org.

Coming Attractions

Gilligan’z Island

The award-winning cast and crew of “The Golden Gals” are back this today through Jan. 9 with the debut of “Gilligan’z Island” at the Clermont Performing Arts Center.

The Skipper played by Doug Ba’aser, Gillian played by MrMs Adrian are stranded on a mysterious island with their passengers, the movie star Ginger Grant played by RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars contestant, Ginger Minj, Mary Anne played by Gidget Galore, the Professor by Divine Grace and the Howells. Will they get off, the island that is, or be stranded forever?

Details at clermontperformingarts.com

“Yes, Virginia”

The Melon Patch Players in Leesburg present “Yes, Virginia” from Jan. 14-30.

The play is set on New Year’s Eve when the longtime housekeeper, who had been let go months earlier, shows up for work not remembering she was no longer employed. She said she had been hurt, and the employer and employee discover they have an incredible friendship. So the relationship takes on a new relevance.

The author, Stan Zimmerman, will be in attendance at the opening for a question and answer session.

Details at melonpatchplayers.org.

“Unnecessary Farce”

It’s on stage hilarity in the IceHouse Theatre’s production of “Unnecessary Farce” Jan. 14-Feb. 6 in Mount Dora.

In the play, two rookie cops set up a stake-out in a cheap motel to snare an embezzling small-town mayor in his videotaped guilty deeds. When the camera catches a bit of unrehearsed hanky-panky and a kilt-wearing, bagpipe-wielding, crazed hit-man stumbles into the fray and comic pandemonium breaks loose.

Details: icehousetheatre.com.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Lake County theater: 'Ain’t Misbehavin' Harlem musical revue in rehearsals