Theater Recommendation: AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura)

ONE OF THE ALL-TIME FEEL-GOOD MUSICALS
COMES TO RUBICON

Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a sizzling celebration of Fats Waller’s music — songs that he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages around the world.  This delightful revue conceived by Murray Horwitz & Richard Maltby Jr. evokes the humor and infectious energy of this American original to provide an evening of humor, romance and thrilling song and dance.

This weekend, Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura brings the 1978 Tony Award-winning musical celebration featuring Fats Waller’s biggest hits including “Keepin’ Out of Mischief,” “This Joint is Jumpin’,” “Mean to Me” and of course the famous title song. With musical direction by William Foster McDaniel, choreography by Dominique Kelley and directed by Wren T. Brown, this scorcher of a show — which will touch your soul and get your feet tappin’ — opens tonight and runs through December 18, 2022.

This is rightfully one of the most popular musical revues of all time, and some say it was the granddaddy of all jukebox musicals. This sassy, sultry celebration features five dynamic performers in an evening of exuberant, melodic, and humorous songs that encapsulate the moods of this vibrant era.

The powerhouse cast is an impressive roster of Los Angeles and New York-based talent. YVETTE CASON (Broadway: Play On!, Dreamgirls) plays Nell, ROGELIO DOUGLAS, JR. (Broadway: The Little Mermaid, In The Heights) plays Andre, CONNIE JACKSON (Broadway: Dreamgirls) is Armelia. Newcomer to the L.A. theatre scene MARTY AUSTIN LAMAR takes on the role of Ken and ANGELA WILDFLOWER (Broadway: Motown the Musical) joins the company as Charlene. While the character names in Ain’t Misbehavin’ acknowledge the actors who originated the roles in the original show, Brown says the Rubicon cast will bring their own spirit and spin to the parts, making the show their own.