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Ain't Misbehavin'Opening Date: May 9, 1978
Closing Date: Feb 21, 1982 Air date: June 21, 1982 Medium: TV Where to watch: not officially available |
Stage Production Notes
Based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a revue musical set in a 1930s Harlem nightclub. The revue features music written, or made popular by, stride pianist Fats Waller.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ first opened for a limited engagement at the Manhattan Theatre Club Cabaret on February 8, 1978. The revue featured the talents of Nell Carter, Andre De Shields, Armelia McQueen, Ken Page, and Irene Cara, and received rave reviews.
Despite concerns that the show was “too small” for Broadway, Ain’t Misbehavin transferred to the Great White Way, opening at the Longacre Theatre on May 9, 1978. All of the original cast transferred with the show, with the exception of Irene Cara who was replaced by Charlaine Woodard.
New York Times theatre critic Richard Eder described Ain’t Misbehavin’ as “a whole cluster of marvels,” and noted the audiences’ ecstatic reactions that literally stopped the show.
Nell Carter received high praise for her performance. She received the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ was nominated for a slew of awards, including five Tony Awards, and six Drama Desk Awards. As well as the previously mentioned awards for Nell Carter, the production won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical. Drama Desk Awards included Outstanding Musical, and Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Ken Page). The revue also won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical.
The show subsequently transferred to the Plymouth Theatre, where it played from January 29, 1979 until January 24, 1981. Two days later, it opened at the Belasco Theatre where it played until February 21, 1982.
The success of the unprecedented small-scale jukebox revue paved the way for other revues featuring well-known songs, but none had the success of Ain’t Misbehavin.
The revue embarked on an American national tour, which played for two years and seven months.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ opened on the West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre on March 22, 1979.
In October 1979, Ain’t Misbehavin’ opened in Israel. Although other productions of Broadway shows had played in Israel, the revue was unusual for being a replica of the Broadway production, and for featuring an American cast.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ was revived on Broadway in 1988 at the Ambassador Theatre. Featuring the original cast and creative crew, the revival opened on August 15, 1988 and played for 176 performances before closing on January 15, 1989.
Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show is available for licensing through Music Theatre International.
Based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a revue musical set in a 1930s Harlem nightclub. The revue features music written, or made popular by, stride pianist Fats Waller.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ first opened for a limited engagement at the Manhattan Theatre Club Cabaret on February 8, 1978. The revue featured the talents of Nell Carter, Andre De Shields, Armelia McQueen, Ken Page, and Irene Cara, and received rave reviews.
Despite concerns that the show was “too small” for Broadway, Ain’t Misbehavin transferred to the Great White Way, opening at the Longacre Theatre on May 9, 1978. All of the original cast transferred with the show, with the exception of Irene Cara who was replaced by Charlaine Woodard.
New York Times theatre critic Richard Eder described Ain’t Misbehavin’ as “a whole cluster of marvels,” and noted the audiences’ ecstatic reactions that literally stopped the show.
Nell Carter received high praise for her performance. She received the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ was nominated for a slew of awards, including five Tony Awards, and six Drama Desk Awards. As well as the previously mentioned awards for Nell Carter, the production won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical. Drama Desk Awards included Outstanding Musical, and Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Ken Page). The revue also won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical.
The show subsequently transferred to the Plymouth Theatre, where it played from January 29, 1979 until January 24, 1981. Two days later, it opened at the Belasco Theatre where it played until February 21, 1982.
The success of the unprecedented small-scale jukebox revue paved the way for other revues featuring well-known songs, but none had the success of Ain’t Misbehavin.
The revue embarked on an American national tour, which played for two years and seven months.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ opened on the West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre on March 22, 1979.
In October 1979, Ain’t Misbehavin’ opened in Israel. Although other productions of Broadway shows had played in Israel, the revue was unusual for being a replica of the Broadway production, and for featuring an American cast.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ was revived on Broadway in 1988 at the Ambassador Theatre. Featuring the original cast and creative crew, the revival opened on August 15, 1988 and played for 176 performances before closing on January 15, 1989.
Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show is available for licensing through Music Theatre International.
Filmed Production Notes
Ain’t Misbehavin’ was taped live by NBC at Burbank Studios with a live audience in June 1982. It was broadcast on NBC on June 21, 1982.
The broadcast was nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards, with Nell Carter and Andre De Shields both winning for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class. The program also won an Image Award for Best Episode in a Comedy Series or Special.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ aired in Finland in 1984.
Since airing on television, Ain’t Misbehavin’ has not been officially released, though a copy has been made available on YouTube.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ was taped live by NBC at Burbank Studios with a live audience in June 1982. It was broadcast on NBC on June 21, 1982.
The broadcast was nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards, with Nell Carter and Andre De Shields both winning for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class. The program also won an Image Award for Best Episode in a Comedy Series or Special.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ aired in Finland in 1984.
Since airing on television, Ain’t Misbehavin’ has not been officially released, though a copy has been made available on YouTube.
Ain't Misbehavin' PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: NBC Studios, Los Angeles
Producer: Emanuel Azenberg, Dasha Epstein, Jane Gaynor, Ron Dante, Shubert Organization, Film: Alvin Cooperman, Andrew J. Selig, Buddy Bregman
Music and Lyrics: Fats Waller
Additional Lyrics: Richard Maltby, Jr.
Director: Richard Maltby, Jr. Film: Don Mischer
Musical Director and Orchestrations: Luther Henderson
Vocal Arrangements: William Elliot and Jeffrey Gutcheon
Choreography: Arthur Faria
Scenic Design: Dennis Roof (Art Director)
Costume Design: Randy Barceló
Lighting Design: John Freschi
Make-Up Design: Harry Blake
Stage Manager: Ellis Toney, Jerry Masterson
Cast:
Nell Carter, Andre De Shields, Armelia McQueen, Ken Page, Charlaine Woodard
Musicians: Luther Henderson (Piano), Al Aarons (Trumpet), Garnett Brown (Trombone), Ken Crutchfield (Drums), Roger Hogan (Sax and Clarinet), Allen Jackson (Bass), Marshal Royal (Sax and Clarinet)
Theatre: NBC Studios, Los Angeles
Producer: Emanuel Azenberg, Dasha Epstein, Jane Gaynor, Ron Dante, Shubert Organization, Film: Alvin Cooperman, Andrew J. Selig, Buddy Bregman
Music and Lyrics: Fats Waller
Additional Lyrics: Richard Maltby, Jr.
Director: Richard Maltby, Jr. Film: Don Mischer
Musical Director and Orchestrations: Luther Henderson
Vocal Arrangements: William Elliot and Jeffrey Gutcheon
Choreography: Arthur Faria
Scenic Design: Dennis Roof (Art Director)
Costume Design: Randy Barceló
Lighting Design: John Freschi
Make-Up Design: Harry Blake
Stage Manager: Ellis Toney, Jerry Masterson
Cast:
Nell Carter, Andre De Shields, Armelia McQueen, Ken Page, Charlaine Woodard
Musicians: Luther Henderson (Piano), Al Aarons (Trumpet), Garnett Brown (Trombone), Ken Crutchfield (Drums), Roger Hogan (Sax and Clarinet), Allen Jackson (Bass), Marshal Royal (Sax and Clarinet)
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- Dan Dietz, The Complete Book of 1980s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield (2016)
- Peter Filchia, Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit and the Biggest Flop of the Season, 1959 to 2009, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books (2010)
- Denny Martin Flinn, Little Musicals for Little Theatres: A Reference Guide to the Musicals That Don’t Need Chandeliers or Helicopters to Succeed, Limelight Editions (2006)
- Stanley Green, revised and updated by Cary Ginell, Broadway Musicals: Show by Show, Seventh Edition, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books (2011)
Articles
- John Corry, “Broadway,” New York Times (Oct 12, 1979), p.48
- Richard Eder, “Theater: ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’” New York Times (May 10, 1978) p.72
- John J. O’Connor, “TV: ‘Ain’t Misbehavin,’ 30’s Cabaret,” New York Times (June 21, 1982)
Websites
- IMDb, “Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1982)” Accessed via: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0227999/?ref_=nv_sr_6
- Music Theatre International, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” Accessed via: https://www.mtishows.com/aint-misbehavin
- Playbill, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/aint-misbehavin-longacre-theatre-vault-0000006887
Written by Luisa Lyons (November, 2017)