Ain't Misbehavin' (musical): Difference between revisions
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'''''Ain't Misbehavin'''''' is a musical [[revue]] with a book by [[Murray Horwitz]] and [[Richard Maltby Jr.]], and music by various composers and lyricists as arranged and orchestrated by [[Luther Henderson]]. | '''''Ain't Misbehavin'''''' is a musical [[revue]] with a book by [[Murray Horwitz]] and [[Richard Maltby Jr.]], and music by various composers and lyricists as arranged and orchestrated by [[Luther Henderson]]. It is named after the song by [[Fats Waller]] (with [[Harry Brooks (composer)|Harry Brooks]] and [[Andy Razaf]]), "[[Ain't Misbehavin' (song)|Ain't Misbehavin{{'-}}]]". | ||
The musical is a tribute to the music of | The musical is a tribute to the music of Waller (1904–1943), who composed in a time when [[Manhattan]] [[nightclub]]s such as the [[Cotton Club]] and the [[Savoy Ballroom]] were the playgrounds of [[upper class|high society]] and [[Lenox Avenue]] dives were filled with piano players banging out the new beat known as [[Swing music|swing]]. Five performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs that encapsulate the various moods of the era and reflect Waller's view of life as a journey meant for pleasure and play. | ||
==Productions== | ==Productions== | ||
''Ain't Misbehavin'' opened in the [[Manhattan Theatre Club]]'s East 73rd Street [[cabaret]] on February 8, 1978. The cast included [[Irene Cara]], [[Nell Carter]], [[André DeShields]], [[Armelia McQueen]], and [[Ken Page]] | ''Ain't Misbehavin'' opened in the [[Manhattan Theatre Club]]'s East 73rd Street [[cabaret]] on February 8, 1978. The cast included [[Irene Cara]], [[Nell Carter]], [[André DeShields]], [[Armelia McQueen]], and [[Ken Page]]. It was staged by Arthur Faria, now recognized as one of the original authors, stage-managed by David Rosenak, and directed by Maltby. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reviewer wrote: "The show moves with the zing and sparkle of a Waller recording—filled with bright melodies and asides."<ref>{{cite news| last = Wilson| first = John S.| title = 'Here'Tis'-A Musical Bow to Fats Waller; The Cast| newspaper = [[The New York Times]]| pages = C13| date = February 20, 1978| url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F3071EFF3E5413728DDDA90A94DA405B888BF1D3&scp=2&sq=Ain%27t+Misbehavin%27+&st=p|access-date = January 17, 2012}}</ref> Buoyed by its reception, the producers decided to develop it into a full-scale production. | ||
The musical opened on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Longacre Theatre]] on May 9, 1978, and transferred to the [[Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre|Plymouth Theatre]] and then to the [[Belasco Theatre (Broadway)|Belasco Theatre]] | The musical opened on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Longacre Theatre]] on May 9, 1978, and transferred to the [[Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre|Plymouth Theatre]] and then to the [[Belasco Theatre (Broadway)|Belasco Theatre]]. Maltby was the director, with musical staging and [[choreography]] by Arthur Faria. The original cast featured Carter, DeShields, McQueen, Page, and [[Charlayne Woodard]]. Luther Henderson, who adapted Waller's music for the revue, appeared as the production's original pianist ([[Hank Jones]] is among the noted pianists who took over as onstage performer<ref>liner notes to [[Ain't Misbehavin' (Hank Jones album)|Ain't Misbehavin']]</ref>). Replacements later in the run included [[Debbie Allen]], [[Yvette Freeman]], [[Adriane Lenox]], and [[Alan Weeks (actor)|Alan Weeks]]. An [[cast album|original cast recording]] was released by [[RCA Victor]]. The show closed on February 21, 1982, after 1,604 performances and 14 previews. | ||
The London [[West End theatre|West End]] production opened on March 22, 1979, at [[Her Majesty's Theatre]]. DeShields and Woodard were joined by Evan Bell, Annie Joe Edwards, and Jozella Reed. It was revived in London in 1995 at the Tricycle Theatre and then the [[Lyric Theatre, London|Lyric Theatre]], with [[Debby Bishop]], Dawn Hope, Melanie Marshall, Sean Palmer, and Ray Shell.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ain't Misbehavin'(London Revival, 1995)| work = broadwayworld.com| url = http://broadwayworld.com/bwidb/productions/Ain't_Misbehavin'_3088/| access-date = January 16, 2012}}</ref> A London revival cast recording was released by First Night.<ref>{{cite web| last = Ankeny| first = Jason | title = Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show (1995 London Cast Recording)| website=[[AllMusic]]|url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/aint-misbehavin-the-fats-waller-musical-show-1995-london-cast-recording-w110341| access-date = January 16, 2012}}</ref> | The London [[West End theatre|West End]] production opened on March 22, 1979, at [[Her Majesty's Theatre]]. DeShields and Woodard were joined by Evan Bell, Annie Joe Edwards, and Jozella Reed. It was revived in London in 1995 at the Tricycle Theatre and then the [[Lyric Theatre, London|Lyric Theatre]], with [[Debby Bishop]], Dawn Hope, Melanie Marshall, Sean Palmer, and Ray Shell.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ain't Misbehavin'(London Revival, 1995)| work = broadwayworld.com| url = http://broadwayworld.com/bwidb/productions/Ain't_Misbehavin'_3088/| access-date = January 16, 2012}}</ref> A London revival cast recording was released by First Night.<ref>{{cite web| last = Ankeny| first = Jason | title = Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show (1995 London Cast Recording)| website=[[AllMusic]]|url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/aint-misbehavin-the-fats-waller-musical-show-1995-london-cast-recording-w110341| access-date = January 16, 2012}}</ref> | ||
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On June 21, 1982, [[NBC]] broadcast the revue with the original Broadway cast. | On June 21, 1982, [[NBC]] broadcast the revue with the original Broadway cast. | ||
A Broadway revival with the same director, choreographer, and cast as the original 1978 production opened on August 15, 1988, at the [[Ambassador Theatre (New York)|Ambassador Theatre]], where it ran for 176 performances and eight previews. [[Frank Rich]], in his review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', wrote "In their scrupulous re-creation of the Fats Waller show that first electrified Broadway a decade ago, the original cast and creators have conjured the same between-the-wars dream world as before... Though almost bereft of dialogue, this musical anthology expands beyond its form to become a resurrection of a great black artist's soul. Perhaps the key to the musical's approach, as conceived by the director Richard Maltby Jr., is its willingness to let Waller speak simply and eloquently for himself, through his art but without show-biz | A Broadway revival with the same director, choreographer, and cast as the original 1978 production opened on August 15, 1988, at the [[Ambassador Theatre (New York)|Ambassador Theatre]], where it ran for 176 performances and eight previews. [[Frank Rich]], in his review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', wrote "In their scrupulous re-creation of the Fats Waller show that first electrified Broadway a decade ago, the original cast and creators have conjured the same between-the-wars dream world as before... Though almost bereft of dialogue, this musical anthology expands beyond its form to become a resurrection of a great black artist's soul. Perhaps the key to the musical's approach, as conceived by the director Richard Maltby Jr., is its willingness to let Waller speak simply and eloquently for himself, through his art but without show-biz embroidery."<ref>Rich, Frank. "Review/Theater;A Harlem Legend Lives Again On Broadway". ''[[The New York Times]]''. August 16, 1988. Section C; p. 15</ref> | ||
In 1995, a national tour directed and choreographed by Faria starred the [[Pointer Sisters]], Eugene Barry-Hill, and [[Michael-Leon Wooley]]. Although it never reached Broadway as originally planned, a recording of highlights from the show was released by RCA.<ref>[http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/aint-misbehavin-1996#synopsis "'Ain't Misbehavin' (1996) Track Listing, Synopsis, Background and Cast Credits"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106172220/http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/aint-misbehavin-1996 |date=2011-11-06 }}, masterworksbroadway.com, accessed January 16, 2012</ref> | In 1995, a national tour directed and choreographed by Faria starred the [[Pointer Sisters]], Eugene Barry-Hill, and [[Michael-Leon Wooley]]. Although it never reached Broadway as originally planned, a recording of highlights from the show was released by RCA.<ref>[http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/aint-misbehavin-1996#synopsis "'Ain't Misbehavin' (1996) Track Listing, Synopsis, Background and Cast Credits"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106172220/http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/aint-misbehavin-1996 |date=2011-11-06 }}, masterworksbroadway.com, accessed January 16, 2012</ref> | ||
Beginning in November 2008 and lasting until at least May 2009, season two ''[[American Idol]]'' contestants [[Frenchie Davis]], [[Trenyce | Trenyce Cobbins]] and winner [[Ruben Studdard]] starred in the 30th anniversary national tour of the show.<ref name="Broadway Buzz">{{cite web |access-date = 2008-03-29 | Beginning in November 2008 and lasting until at least May 2009, season two ''[[American Idol]]'' contestants [[Frenchie Davis]],[[Trenyce | Trenyce Cobbins]] and winner [[Ruben Studdard]] starred in the 30th-anniversary national tour of the show.<ref name="Broadway Buzz">{{cite web |access-date = 2008-03-29 | ||
|url = http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=558651 | |url = http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=558651 | ||
|title = Ruben Studdard, Frenchie Davis to Tour in Ain't Misbehavin' | |title = Ruben Studdard, Frenchie Davis to Tour in Ain't Misbehavin' | ||
Latest revision as of 00:59, 11 October 2025
Template:Refimprove Template:Short description Template:Infobox Musical
Ain't Misbehavin' is a musical revue with a book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr., and music by various composers and lyricists as arranged and orchestrated by Luther Henderson. It is named after the song by Fats Waller (with Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf), "[[Ain't Misbehavin' (song)|Ain't MisbehavinTemplate:'-]]".
The musical is a tribute to the music of Waller (1904–1943), who composed in a time when Manhattan nightclubs such as the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom were the playgrounds of high society and Lenox Avenue dives were filled with piano players banging out the new beat known as swing. Five performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs that encapsulate the various moods of the era and reflect Waller's view of life as a journey meant for pleasure and play.
Productions
Ain't Misbehavin opened in the Manhattan Theatre Club's East 73rd Street cabaret on February 8, 1978. The cast included Irene Cara, Nell Carter, André DeShields, Armelia McQueen, and Ken Page. It was staged by Arthur Faria, now recognized as one of the original authors, stage-managed by David Rosenak, and directed by Maltby. The New York Times reviewer wrote: "The show moves with the zing and sparkle of a Waller recording—filled with bright melodies and asides."[1] Buoyed by its reception, the producers decided to develop it into a full-scale production.
The musical opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on May 9, 1978, and transferred to the Plymouth Theatre and then to the Belasco Theatre. Maltby was the director, with musical staging and choreography by Arthur Faria. The original cast featured Carter, DeShields, McQueen, Page, and Charlayne Woodard. Luther Henderson, who adapted Waller's music for the revue, appeared as the production's original pianist (Hank Jones is among the noted pianists who took over as onstage performer[2]). Replacements later in the run included Debbie Allen, Yvette Freeman, Adriane Lenox, and Alan Weeks. An original cast recording was released by RCA Victor. The show closed on February 21, 1982, after 1,604 performances and 14 previews.
The London West End production opened on March 22, 1979, at Her Majesty's Theatre. DeShields and Woodard were joined by Evan Bell, Annie Joe Edwards, and Jozella Reed. It was revived in London in 1995 at the Tricycle Theatre and then the Lyric Theatre, with Debby Bishop, Dawn Hope, Melanie Marshall, Sean Palmer, and Ray Shell.[3] A London revival cast recording was released by First Night.[4]
On June 21, 1982, NBC broadcast the revue with the original Broadway cast.
A Broadway revival with the same director, choreographer, and cast as the original 1978 production opened on August 15, 1988, at the Ambassador Theatre, where it ran for 176 performances and eight previews. Frank Rich, in his review for The New York Times, wrote "In their scrupulous re-creation of the Fats Waller show that first electrified Broadway a decade ago, the original cast and creators have conjured the same between-the-wars dream world as before... Though almost bereft of dialogue, this musical anthology expands beyond its form to become a resurrection of a great black artist's soul. Perhaps the key to the musical's approach, as conceived by the director Richard Maltby Jr., is its willingness to let Waller speak simply and eloquently for himself, through his art but without show-biz embroidery."[5]
In 1995, a national tour directed and choreographed by Faria starred the Pointer Sisters, Eugene Barry-Hill, and Michael-Leon Wooley. Although it never reached Broadway as originally planned, a recording of highlights from the show was released by RCA.[6]
Beginning in November 2008 and lasting until at least May 2009, season two American Idol contestants Frenchie Davis, Trenyce Cobbins and winner Ruben Studdard starred in the 30th-anniversary national tour of the show.[7]
Song list
<templatestyles src="Col-begin/styles.css"/>
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Awards and nominations
Original Broadway production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Template:Won | |
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Nell Carter | Template:Won | ||
| Charlayne Woodard | Template:Nom | |||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Richard Maltby, Jr. | Template:Won | ||
| Best Choreography | Arthur Faria | Template:Nom | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Musical | Template:Won | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Ken Page | Template:Won | ||
| André DeShields | Template:Nom | |||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Nell Carter | Template:Won | ||
| Charlayne Woodard | Template:Nom | |||
| Outstanding Choreography | Arthur Faria | Template:Nom | ||
| Theatre World Award | Outstanding Stage Performance | Nell Carter | Template:Won | |
| Armelia McQueen | Template:Won | |||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Best Musical | Template:Won | ||
| New York Drama Critics' Circle Award[8] | Best Musical | Fats Waller and Richard Maltby, Jr. | Template:Won | |
| 1979 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Thomas Z. Shepard | Template:Won |
Original London production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Laurence Olivier Award | Musical of the Year | Template:Nom | |
1982 NBC broadcast
1988 Broadway revival
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Tony Award | Best Revival of a Musical | Template:Nom | |
30th anniversary revival tour
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Template:Nom | |
References
External links
- Template:Ibdb title
- Ain't Misbehavin at the Music Theatre International website
- Ovrtur.com PageTemplate:Dead link
- Template:Trim/ Template:Trim at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:WikidataCheck
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ liner notes to Ain't Misbehavin'
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Rich, Frank. "Review/Theater;A Harlem Legend Lives Again On Broadway". The New York Times. August 16, 1988. Section C; p. 15
- ↑ "'Ain't Misbehavin' (1996) Track Listing, Synopsis, Background and Cast Credits" Template:Webarchive, masterworksbroadway.com, accessed January 16, 2012
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".