Synopsis

Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a sizzling celebration of Fats Waller’s music — songs that he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages around the world. This delightful revue evokes the humor and infectious energy of this American original to provide an evening of humor, romance and thrilling song and dance. Featuring Fats Waller’s biggest hits including “Keepin’ Out of Mischief,” “This Joint is Jumpin’,” “Mean to Me” and of course the famous title song, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

These songs were the dance hits of the day and so I set our production at the famed Harlem dance hall, The Savoy Ballroom. As we celebrated the brilliance of Waller’s music, we also celebrated the ingenuity of dancers like Norma Miller who danced at The Savoy and gave the world dance forms like The Lindy and swing.

The Savoy was the first fully integrated night spot in Harlem where Black and White dancers could dance together on the same dance floor and where Black and White musicians could play together. Our cast was all Black, but our musicians were diverse.