Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Interim Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents the Tony Award-winning musical Ain't Misbehavin' on the Mainstage from Oct. 26 through Nov. 20.
The cast is comprised of EuGene Barry-Hill, Doug Eskew, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Cynthia Thomas and Debra Walton, all of whom have previously appeared in productions of Ain't Misbehavin'. Director Richard Maltby assembles his 1978 Tony Award winning team to return the show to its original cabaret-style luster: co-director/choreographer Arthur Faria, musical director Phillip Hall, John Lee Beatty (sets), Gail Baldoni (costumes), Pat Collins (lights), and Tom Morse (sound). The stage manager is Bonnie Brady.
Tickets range from $40-70 and can be purchased at 203-787-4282 or at www.longwharf.org
Ain't Misbehavin' goes back in time to 1930s Harlem, the Golden Age of jazz palaces like the Cotton Club, the Savoy Ballroom and the honky tonk dives on Lenox Avenue, where pulsing swing music played all hours of the day. This funny, rowdy, yet startling beautiful musical brings to life the world of jazz great Fats Waller through songs like "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Honeysuckle Rose," "The Joint is Jumpin'," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," and many other hits.. "This musical re-creation of Fats Waller, the jazz singer and pianist, is a whole cluster of marvels ... heart-stopping.," said The New York Times.
Long Wharf Theatre continues its tradition of reexamining musicals, looking for the vitality and excitement that made the shows hits in the first place. Recent productions of The Fantasticks, Carousel, Man of La Mancha and Guys and Dolls have solidified the theatre's inquiry into this uniquely American art form. Long Wharf Theatre's production of the play is rooted in the show's original, cabaret style. "In our continued exploration of the great American musical, we are tackling Ain't Misbehavin', which is an homage to Fats Waller and a look at a highly influential style of performing. It is a type of time travel back to the 1920s, the days of Cotton Club, to a style of performance that we don't see anymore," Edelstein said.
For more information about Long Wharf Theatre's 2011-12 season, visit www.longwharf.org.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
EuGene Barry-Hill
Andre
Mr. Barry-Hill is grateful to make his Long Wharf Theatre debut. Broadway: The Lion King (Mufasa). Off-Broadway: The Magdalene (Pilatus) National Tours: Miss Saigon (John), Ain't Misbehavin' w/ The Pointer Sisters (Andre), Jesus Christ Superstar (w/ Carl Anderson), Regional: Sckbstrd (world premiere Bruce Hornsby musical, Virginia Stage) Hello Dolly (Horace, Fulton Opera House), Ragtime (Coalhouse, San Diego CLO), Ain't Misbehavin' (30th Anniversary Edition, Ahmanson CTG, Los Angeles).Thanks to Arthur & Richard. Dedicated to Mom and Timothy.
Doug Eskew
Ken
Mr. Eskew is happy to return to the Long Wharf Theatre. He appeared here in Golden Boy and The Barbarian Women (Writers Workshop). Broadway: Rev. Avery in The Color Purple, Big Moe in Five Guys Named Moe, Truly Blessed. Off Broadway: Thunder Knocking on the Door, Josephine Song. National Tours: The Color Purple, Cats, Dreamgirls, Ain't Misbehavin' and Five Guys Named Moe (NAACP nomination and LA Ovation Award). Regional credits: Chasin Dem' Blues, Ain't Misbehavin (Helen Hayes nomination), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Polk County, Crowns, Golden Boy and Thunder Knocking on the Door (Helen Hayes nomination).
