CCP production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ opens April 21

In its 40th Anniversary Season, the Cumberland County Playhouse is paying tribute all year long to Tennessee, its heritage and its music. On April 21, the blues and jazz heritage of Tennessee is celebrated with the opening of Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Revue.

A tremendous hit with audiences in 1998, Ain’t Misbehavin’ portrays, in song and dance, the artistry and spirit of Thomas “Fats” Waller, a piano and songwriting giant who helped define the musical era from the Harlem Renaissance to the Big Band Era.

In his short 39 years, this largely self-taught piano genius took the bluesy side of Memphis uptown to Harlem hangouts and moved jazz to new heights. Waller is known for the humor and fun he put in his music that still excites audiences today in his stride piano style. Some of his songs and the songs he made famous include “The Joint is Jumpin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now,” “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling,” “Lounging at the Waldorf,” “Ain’t Misbehavin'” “Two Sleepy People,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

Among his friends were pianist James P. Johnson, Count Basie, to whom he gave organ lessons, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Lena Horne, Cab Calloway and more.

“You can tell our “joint will be jumpin'” every time our five fabulous triple threat performers take the stage to do Ain’t Misbehavin’ through Oct. 22,” said Jim Crabtree, playhouse producing director.

“Tony Owen’s powerful, bluesy baritone brings to life the Harlem Renaissance and the Fats Waller songs that fill the evening,” said Crabtree.

“We are delighted to bring back this beloved jazz and blues classic,” said Crabtree. “We’ve certainly had many calls for Ain’t Misbehavin’. In our 40 years the Playhouse has been enriched and influenced by the great diversity and style of Tennessee’s musical traditions, just as the music and musicians that mean Tennessee to the world have been influenced by the music of the spirituals, the work songs, the minstrels, blues, jazz and all the styles which trace their roots to Africa and the American South. No mixture of Tennessee heritage and culture can exist without an Ain’t Misbehavin’.

As Fats Waller’s friend, the great James P. Johnson, said of him, “Some little people have music in them but Fats, he was all music, and you know how big he was. He was 5 feet 10-1/2 inches and weighed 285 pounds.”

“You’ll leave this show with Fats’ music in you,” said Crabtree, “and have the finest, most memorable kind of fun.”