Michael Riedel writes today in the New York Post, after attending the final performance of the Andre De Shields directed Ain't Misbehavin' at the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick, NJ that the show might soon be headed back to Broadway.
In the article, Riedel talks to Richard Maltby Jr., who concieved and directed the original production back in 1988 and has just opened an international tour of the show in Paris, along with directing his own production at the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, Connecticut.
Says Maltby "The show has not been done in New York in 20 years, and it is time," he says. "I have some thoughts -- I feel I'm on the precipice, about to tell you something -- but for now, let me just say that there are some casting ideas that are going to be pretty spectacular."
Ain't Misbehavin' initially opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club's cabaret in February, 1978. The reception was such that it was developed into a full scale musical which transferred to Broadway, opening in May, 1978 at the Longacre Theatre and instantly made history. Jazz legend Thomas "Fats" Waller rose to international fame during the Golden Age of the Cotton Club, honky-tonk dives, and that jumpin' new beat, swing. Although not quite a biography, Ain't Misbehavin' evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast struts, strums and sings the songs he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley.
The outrageously prodigious comic and musical soul of 1930s Harlem Renaissance lives on in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway's best, featuring swanky numbers "Ain't Misbehavin'", "This Joint is Jumpin'", and "Spreadin' Rhythm Around".
