Previews: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' at The Cape Playhouse

The Cape Playhouse, the longest-running professional summer theater in the country, is set to kick off its 2023 Summer season on June 7th with the popular Fats Waller musical and Tony Award winning show, Ain't Misbehavin'.

Founded in 1927 by Raymond Moore, the Cape Playhouse was reputed by the New York Times as "the place where Broadway goes to Summer." Moore's vision was to create a smart, sophisticated summer theatre with some of the world's most noted stage and screen professionals - a dream that has since been realized tenfold. Within its 96 years in operation, the Playhouse has featured world-class talent in shows produced specifically for its stage. It has seen the likes of such legends as Julie Andrews and Ginger Roberts, and since its opening has continued to uphold a high caliber of professional theater.

Named as one of the 50 Best Small Stage Theaters in America, the Playhouse will soon present Ain't Misbehavin' as the first show of its exciting 2023 Summer repertoire.

Thomas "Fats" Waller rose to fame as part of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920's and '30's with his jumpin' new beat known as swing music. With his distinctive persona of both ebullient comic and musical genius, Fats remains one of music history’s most unforgettable forces. Ain't Misbehavin' evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original.

At the helm of the Playhouse's production is accomplished director, choreographer and actor Lacy Darryl Phillips. Lacy appeared on Broadway in such shows as Raisin, Sophisticated Ladies, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, Anything Goes, Sweet Charity, Me and Mrs. Jones, Play On and Fosse. His most recently served as Choreographer for Ain’t Misbehavin’ at California Center for the Arts and as Creative Director/Choreographer for Cherry House – The Play at the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival on NYC's Theatre Row.

“Although Ain’t Misbehavin’ is not a typical musical with a book or story, there is a through-
line of stories woven together through vignettes and scenarios which are uplifting and enlightening and thought provoking.” Phillips explained. "My wish is to invite you on this journey with us back in time with a twist. Imagine a cinematic approach, or 'film on stage' transporting you to an era when all the rules were broken for all the right reasons. The main thing to remember is that it’s all about the music!” 

The Playhouse also welcomes seasoned director, actor, and writer Hunter Foster as its Guest Artistic Director. Hunter has been involved at the Playhouse on
numerous occasions over the past twenty years. He directed such successes as My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Million Dollar Quartet, Clue, The Foreigner and Once. He has also been seen on the Playhouse stage in Boeing, Boeing, Lend Me A Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo.

Longtime friend and now mentor to Lacy on this production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ is Grammy
Award winner Ken Page, who serves as Production Consultant. Widely known as the voice of Mr. Oogie Boogie in the classic Disney/Tim Burton animated film The Nightmare Before
Christmas, Ken is an original cast member of the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Ken has worked extensively in New York as well as London’s West End, starring in Cats as the original Old Deuteronomy. Page made his Broadway debut as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in an all-black revival of Guys and Dolls; both he and the show received a Theatre World Award. 

Page is also the recipient of the Best Actor Drama Desk Award for Ain't Misbehavin' and was honored by the New York Drama League for his performances on the Broadway stage. He has also won two Grammy Awards as a principal member of the OBC recordings of Cats and Ain't Misbehavin'. His production of the show for The La Mirada Performing Arts Center in California was also awarded two Los Angeles Ovation Awards. 

The Playhouse's production marks Page's sixth time working on this historic Tony Award winning musical.

Here is a word from Ken on what makes this show so special. 

"It is my mission... to bring the joy, fun, depth of intention and the wonderful world and music of Thomas "Fats" Waller to life. It is equally important to me to continue the legacy of the original cast's narrative work, and pass it forward to today's actors" Page explains. "What an honor it will be to realize this at the much revered historic Cape Playhouse. As Fats would say, 'Here Tis'. 

Ain't Misbehavin' stars Ashanti J'Aria, Tarra Conner Jones, Ciara Elyse Harris, Anthony Wayne and Juson Williams.

With summer just around the corner, please be sure to take advantage of all that the Cape Playhouse has to offer as part of their exciting 97th season. Following Ain't Misbehavin' (June 7-17), the Playhouse presents Sense and Sensibility (June 21-July 1), Jersey Boys (July 5-22), An American in Paris (July 26-August 12), Camelot (August 16-26) and Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (August 30-September 9). To purchase single tickets or a season subscription/Flex Pass, please visit www.capelayhouse.com.

While catching a show at this Dennis icon is already a day well spent, the theater's expansive 22-acre campus houses both the Cape Cod Museum of Art and the Cape Cinema. There's truly something for everyone at the Cape Playhouse, so please take part in what will undoubtedly be a Summer season to remember!

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