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Arizona Theatre Company Presents Ain’t Misbehavin’
Swing in the New Year with musical favorite Ain’t Misbehavin’, a raucous, toe-tappin’ show for anyone who likes having a good time. Travel back to Harlem’s swinging ‘30’s where the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom were the playground for the rich and neighborhood dives were filled with piano players playing the new beat of the day known as swing.
It’s a tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and ’30s who were part of the Harlem Renaissance, an era of artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and ethnic pride. The title comes from the famous 1929 Fats Waller tune “Ain’t Misbehavin’”. Five exhuberant performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs that capture the mood of the day.
The musical reflects the times that Thomas Wright Waller, better known as Fats Waller was at the top of his game. Born in 1904, Fats Waller started playing the piano when he was six and at the age of fourteen played the organ at Harlem’s Lincoln Theater and composed his first rag tune.
His music was so popular that he was actually kidnapped in Chicago leaving a performance. Four men took him to the Hawthorne Inn, owned by gangster Al Capone. Fats was ordered inside the building, and found a party in full swing. Gun to his back, he was pushed towards a piano, and told to play. A terrified Waller realized he was the surprise guest at Al Capone’s birthday party and according to rumor, Waller played for three days.
The original Broadway play opened in the Manhattan Theatre Club’s East 73rd Street cabaret on February 8, 1978 with featured singer Irene Cara.
Actresses Nell Carter and Debbie Allen also appeared in the production. The 1978 Tony Award winner for best musical, it features over 30 foot-stompin Fats Waller songs including famous tunes like Honeysuckle Rose, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby and my favorite, The Joint is Jumpin’.
This is one of my favorite musicals and I can guarantee you that you’ll have a hard time sitting still in your seat. The dancing is fun, the singing is fantastic and the music, as the song says will get you jumpin’. I recommend the show it appeals to everyone, anyone that wants to have a good time!
I haven’t seen this particular production put on by the Arizona Theatre Company, but I can tell you that they’ve been receiving rave reviews. Here are some videos of the current cast to get your heart pumpin’.
The performance is at the Herberger Theatre Center in downtown Phoenix. Built in 1989 the Herberger was an important piece of the redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Phoenix and is the home to three local performing companies, Actors Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company and Center Dance Ensemble. It’s a fantastic venue that everyone should see a show at.
You don’t have to be a jazz aficionado or a blues lover to appreciate the music, dancing or acting. It’s sassy, upbeat and the message will kick start your New Year making you dance right out of the theatre.
Arizona Theatre Company
Herberger Theater Center
222 E Monroe, Phoenix (map)
Dates:
December 30 – January 17
Box Office:
602-256-6995
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