AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' Gets Extemded Through 8/9 At Olney Theatre Center

National Players' summer musical, Ain't Misbehavin', keeps on swingin' at Olney. The award-winning revue has been extended toAugust 9. Ain't Misbehavin' plays the Historic Stage now through August 9. Tickets are $26, with discounts available to groups and students. Callthe Box Office at 301.924.3400 or visit olneytheatre.org for tickets.

Sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry, Ain't Misbehavin' brings to life thework of legendary pianist and composer Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller. The show's exuberance, musical wit, pure energy, and 30 show-stopping numbers recreate Waller's magic and the unforgettable atmosphere of1930s Harlem.Called "a struttin', stompin', high-hattin' smash" by Time Magazine, and "afunny, devastating...heart-stopping show" by The New York Times, Ain't Misbehavin' is still considered one of Broadway's most well-craftedrevues.

It features such hits as "Honeysuckle Rose," "This Joint IsJumpin'," "Black and Blue," and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love."Ain't Misbehavin' originally opened in the Manhattan Theatre Club's East73 rd Street Cabaret on February 8, 1978, with featured singer Irene Cara.

The show was an instant hit among theatergoers, and was quickly developed into a full-scale Broadway production. After 14 previews, the production opened on May 9, 1978, at the Longacre Theatre, later movingto the Plymouth Theatre and then to the Belasco Theatre before finallycompleting its 1604-performance run.

The show launched the career of the late Nell Carter, and won the 1978 Tony® Awards for Best Musical and Best Performance by a Featured Actress for Ms. Carter. In 1988, Ain'tMisbehavin' was revived on Broadway with Ms. Carter as its star. Spearheading this production are Director Devron T. Young, Choreographer Yvette W. Shipley-Perkins, and Musical Director Aaron Broderick. This is the third summer musical for National Players, and marks the first time analumnus is directing. Devron, a member of National Players Tour 49, is making his directorial debutat Olney, where he performed in Eubie!.

Other Olney credits include Jacques Brel is Alive and Welland Living in Paris, Peter Pan, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Yvette hasworked with numerous choreographers, including Eleo Pomare, Rod Rodgers, Blondell Cummings, and Lourdes Bastos. A teacher and choreographer for Arena Players' Youtheatre, she has also choreographed mainstage productions of God's Trombone, Once on This Island, Blues in the Night, and Eyes. Aaron's most recent work at Olney was as musical director for Big River.

He has also been the musical director for Ruthless, Working, Johnny Guitar (area premiere), Violet, 1940's RadioHour, Life After High School, and The Lucky Stiff for Shadow Block Theatre Company Forum, amongothers.The ensemble for Ain't Misbehavin' consists of Curtis Bannister (André De Shields role), Kelli Blackwell (Armelia McQueen role), Jesaira Glover (Nell Carter role), Leanto E. Jones (Ken Pagerole), and Shaunté Corrina Tabb (Charlaine Woodard role). All are making their Olney TheatreCenter debuts.

Curtis Bannister is currently a graduate student at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. In 2007, hemade his professional New York debut as John in Miss Saigon, and covered the role of André in Ain't Misbehavin' at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Other musical theater credits include CoalhouseWalker, Jr. in Ragtime: The Musical; Linus in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown; Curtis inDreamgirls; Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game; and Smokey in Damn Yankees.Kelli Blackwell has performed in the National Tour of Chicago the Musical as Mama Morton. Herregional credits include Dreamgirls (Effie), Once on this Island (Asaka), Nunsense (Sister Hubert), and Bare (Sister Chantelle.)Stepping into the role made famous by Nell Carter is Jesaira Glover. She has performed mostrecently in Sophisticated Ladies (Phyllis Hyman), Grease (Miss Lynch, Teen Angel), and Dreamgirls(Joanne).

Leanto E. Jones is performing in his third production of Ain't Misbehavin'. His credits includeJoseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Aida, The Life, Ragtime, Dreamgirls, The Odd Couple, and Purlie, among others.A native Washingtonian, Shaunté Corrina Tabb was last seen on stages across China in a tour ofAida. She has also performed as Lorraine in All Shook Up, Brenda in Smokey Joe's Café, Lorrell inDreamgirls, and Ti Moune in Once on This Island, for which she was recognized as one of the best inBaltimore theater.The creative team for Ain't Misbehavin' is made up of Hannah Crowell (Scenic Designer), JeanneBland and Pei Lee (Costume Designers), Brian Engel (Lighting Designer), Brendon Vierra (SoundDesigner), and Becky Reed (Stage Manager).

Now - August 9, 2009 Wed. - Sat. at 7:30 pm (except August 5); Sun. at 6:30 pm (except August 9); matinees on Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 pm.

TICKETS: $26; discounts available for groups and students

BOX OFFICE: 301.924.3400; olneytheatre.org

LOCATION: Olney Theatre Center 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Maryland 20832Located just north of Washington, DC, the theater sits 1¼ mile from the intersection of Olney-Sandy Spring Road (Route 108) andGeorgia Avenue (Route 97). Parking is free

 

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