Musical theater isn't usually on StLJN's beat, but it seems worth at least a mention that a production of Ain't Misbehavin' from the St. Louis Black Repertory Theater Company is now playing at the Grandel Theatre. The show, which features a five-person cast and live band performing about three dozen songs written by or associated with legendary jazz pianist, singer and songwriter Thomas "Fats" Waller (pictured), runs through February 4.Ain't Misbehavin' was originally a hit on Broadway in 1978 with a cast that included St. Louis native Ken Page, and has since enjoyed a long and profitable life in revivals, regional theater, bus-and-truck companies, community and school productions, and just about every other imaginable venue for a stage musical. It's an entertaining selection of some of Waller's most memorable material, and though it's not a "jazz musical" per se, jazz fans may enjoy it as an introduction to and/or celebration of Waller, the songwriter, singer and entertainer. I haven't seen the Black Rep's current production, though I have seen cast members Drummond Crenshaw and Anita Jackson in other contexts, and both are fine performers. Another promising sign is that the band is directed by pianist Charles Creath and includes such local jazz notables as saxophonist Willie Akins and bassist Raymond Eldridge.
The Post-Dispatch's Kevin Johnson went to the show's opening last weekend, and you can read his review of the production here. And if you'd like to see the original inspiration for Ain't Misbehavin' in action, check out the embedded video below - it's a "soundie" recorded in 1943 that features Fats Waller performing "Your Feet's Too Big," a song which is, conveniently enough, also part of the score of the musical.
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