˘By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”)
Fats Waller, the very talented American singer and songwriter, lived an unfortunately short but prolific life, dying in 1943 at the age of 39. Born when ragtime was still the rage, Thomas Waller was a noted jazz innovator and his music still has a way of making even the most sour of sourpusses and the saddest of sad sacks somehow happy and contented.
What Fats turned out in those productive years was truly magical and a tribute cabaret show in 1978 garnered such sparkling reviews that a Broadway production was hastily planned, opening less than three months later. Titled Ain’t Misbehavin’, the name of a famous tune by Waller and lyricist Andy Razaf, the show was nominated for five Tony Awards that year. Nell Carter won Featured Actress in a Musical. Book writer Richard Maltby, Jr. won the Best Director of a Musical Tony and the show received the coveted Best Musical for 1978.
With original cast members Andre DeShields and Ken Page also prominent members of the original cast, the show played for a remarkable nearly four years and more than 1,600 performances at a total of three different Broadway venues, The Longacre, Plymouth and Belasco Theatres.
Given the history of the show and its very popular cast album, Ain’t Misbehavin’ has proven to be a regular staple at theaters around the country. The music is firmly rooted in joyful jazz with a touch of blues here and there promoting the Black experience in America.
Donald Jones-Bordenave, a former New Orleanian who now calls Broadway home, was selected to helm a production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, currently on the boards through June 22. A noted choreographer and Broadway actor, Jones-Bordenave is also a fantastic dancer and chose to cast himself as one of the five performers.
We are all the recipients of his artistic largesse. Jones-Bornenave has a command of the stage that is full of confidence and he handles the singing like a master.
In addition to him, Rahim Glaspy performs as the other male singer and dancer in the ensemble and also does an outstanding job in bringing Waller’s tunes back to life.
Deanielle Edinburgh Wilson, Jarrell Hamilton and Kadejan Oné are the three female singers who complete the cast and they are the heart and soul of the musical review. The songs tell the story of these ladies all desiring to love and be loved but for the sad fact they have to rely on the disloyal and untrustworthy male gender.
With their hips moving in mournful objection and their voices singing to the rafters, Fats Waller’s music has never sounded more radiant or felicitous.
Max Dovale plays piano and leads a crack group of musicians in accurately rendering these sometimes joyous musical romps that were part of yesteryear’s hit parade. The sound fills Le Petit’s auditorium with jazz and blues that are the calling cards to Waller’s music with lush orchestrations and adaptations by Luther Henderson. Jeffrey Gutcheon and William Elliott rendered additional musical arrangements.
The biggest complaint one might register regarding Ain’t Misbehavin’ is that it ends far too soon. Waller’s musical genius is underscored at every performance with song after song providing the backdrop for understanding why or how it is possbile that a 39 year-old man could have written so many incredible songs in such a tragically short period before he passed.
Tifanni Sheriff renders the authentic period costumes with bright colors that matched the bawdy music on the stage. Bethany Lee does a very nice turn with the scenic design allowing several high elements from which characters could comment from on high as well as placing the orchestra in the rear of the stage. The lighting by Diane K. Baas is also superb.
This musical will signal the end of the successful 2025-26 season for Le Petit. Next season starts with an ambitious regional premiere production of The Lehman Trilogy in October. Two other plays – Yasmina Resa’s God of Carnage and Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit will buffet against two musicals: Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls and the regional premiere of Once, the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Musical.
Ain’t Misbehaavin’: The Fats Waller Musical finishes its run at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter Street, in New Orleans. For tickets call 504-522-2081 or click here.
