Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The first musical of Theatre by the Sea’s historic 85th season is Fats Waller’s musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s and 1930’s comes to life onstage as a tribute to the black musicians of that era. It was an era of growing creativity, cultural awareness and ethnic pride. This musical revue first opened in the Manhattan Theatre on February 8, 1978 and ran for 1,604 performances, winning three Tony Awards including the Best Musical. Five performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy and humorous songs that encapsulate the various moods of that time period.
The title of the show comes from Waller’s 1929 hit song “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” It was a time when Manhattan nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom were the playgrounds of high society and Lennox Avenue dives were filled with piano players pounding out the new music called swing. Director/choreographer Gerry McIntire picks the best five performers for these roles and musical director Christopher Davis teaches them the intricate harmonies of the group numbers splendidly. The opening night audience rewards their talent and expertise with a standing ovation at the close of the show.
Owner and producer Bill Hanney provides the highest standards for the evening with a topnotch Art Deco unit set, onstage band and nightclub settings. Sets are by Kyle Dixon and the gorgeous costumes were coordinated by David Cabral. We first hear the music of Waller’s own recording of the title number to welcome us to this high energy musical revue. The song fades in from a long-gone era as it is filtered in and the dancing figures become visible accompanied by a superb six member band. Christopher Davis is the seventh member of the band and plays the piano onstage dynamically all night long. The Entracte is done by the band and they win thunderous applause on a job very well done. The terrific voices of the performers soar forth across the audience. The five talented performers are Tarra Connor Jones, Helen Marla White, NaTonia Monet, Jeffrey Eugene Johnson and DeMone. Gerry gives each of his performers their moment to shine in this show. His dance numbers are subtle, erotically charged and totally constructed to fit the capabilities of his talented cast. Christopher’s group numbers of “Black and Blue” and “Spreadin Rhythm Around and especially “The Joint is Jumping” are breathtaking with their fabulous harmonic balance.
The show is a series of vignettes with the cast performing various characters in each segment. It is reminiscent of vaudeville. Tarra is a hoot as the big buxomed Betty Boop sounding gal who does the original star of this show, Nell Carter very proud. She sings the comic song “Cash for Your Trash” and gets the audience howling with laughter for a number of reasons. It transcends camp, shtick and laws in several states. She also is the musical anchor to the serious side of the show with her soaring rendition of “Mean to Me.” What a powerhouse voice! Tarra and Helen also do a fabulous job with “Find Out What They Like” where they sing sweetly one minute and then bump and grind the next. Helen with her mahogany soprano, displays her versatility by providing more comic relief with “Squeeze Me” and “When the Nylons Bloom Again.” She also does “That Ain’t Right” with Jeff and “Two Sleepy People” with Demone.the musical anchor to the show’s serious side with her soaring rendition of “Mean to Me.” Long legged NaTonia throws more sex around than should be legal with her group numbers. One of her other numbers is “Keeping Out of Mischief Now” which fits her naughty character.
The show rests comfortably on Demone’s shoulders who channels Waller’s gentler era when the priorities were getting high, getting laid and singing the blues when you are unsuccessful in these other endeavors. As sensuous as his bass/baritone voice is in “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Two Sleepy People”, Demone is most memorable in his comic numbers like “Your Feet’s Too Big”, in a raucously skanky rendition when he brings a lady onstage from the audience. Jeff returns to Theatre by the Sea in triumph after appearing as Cogsworth last season in “Beauty and the Beast.” He shines in his double entendre lyrics in “The Viper’s Drag” number where he puffs on weed. He offers to share it with a lady in the front row and pulls it away from her which lead to much laughter from the crowd. Jeff and Demone also rev up the audience with “Fat and Greasy” for a sing a long while prompting them from the stage. They also sing “The Ladies Who Sing with the Band.” The most dramatic group number is “Black and Blue” about how far race relationships needed to grow not only back then but in todays society, too. So for a marvelous way to kick off the historic 85th season of Theatre by the Sea, be sure to catch “Ain’t Misbehavin” which will have you singing and dancing in the aisles. It will definitely keep the joint jumping all season long!
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN ( 30 May to 17 June)
Theatre by the Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI
1(401)782-8587 or www.theatrebythesea.com
