While the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’” opened in New York in the Spring of 1978 … even though at the time I lived “only 45 minutes from Broadway,” to paraphrase the words of George M. Cohan … I just recently finally attended a performance of the show.
On a recent evening, Alicia and I joined a couple of friends to experience it at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in nearby Columbia, Maryland, where we’ve been a number of times previously. This performance by all five of the cast was top-notch, as performances at Toby’s have always proven to be.
However, the evening turned out to be somewhat of a letdown for me personally … obviously, though, not for the audience as a whole, as the applause was spontaneous and frequent. As I’ve already stated, the performance was solid and the show itself was quality creatively.
My issue was how the show is billed, which misled my thinking and what I was anticipating. I was so looking forward to hearing the true Fats Waller sound, especially his unique “slide-style” piano playing, as well as many of his songs which were considered his hit performances which we played on XM Radio’s Savoy Express … and I find magnetic!
While billed as “The Fats Waller Musical Show,” it’s really a musical revue that’s a tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and 1930s who were part of the growing creativity and ethnic pride coming out of New York City’s Harlem, the home to night spots like the Cotton Club and Savoy Ballroom. (Of course, Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom was the inspiration for our choosing to name XM Radio’s 1940’s Channel the Savoy Express).
The title “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is of course a Fats tune, and many of the songs included in the show are ones written and/or performed by Fats … but not delivered in true Fats style! As noted above, what I was expecting just never appeared … especially any of that great piano playing!
Speaking of the show’s title song, here’s a great version by Fats where you hear lots of that piano playing I was psyched up for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vaQoPSBMQA
Born in Harlem in 1904, Fats began playing the piano at age six. He is known to have composed dozens of songs, with many becoming popular tunes which are considered standards today. His popularity grew through the 1930’s with the release of numerous recordings featuring his fantastic piano playing and unique singing style. As an example, here’s a tune that was a major hit for Fats in 1937, Smarty.
With the arrival of the 1940’s, his star continued to rise. Sadly, though, after becoming ill during a performance in Hollywood in December, 1943, all Fats wanted to do is “go home” to New York. However, he never made it, dying of pneumonia aboard the train as it stopped in Kansas City. He was only 39. Yet, his legacy lives on … thanks to the many recordings left behind.
Bottom line: Tens of thousands have attended the Ain’t Misbehavin’ show over these 40 years and, obviously, most have enjoyed. And, it’s earned millions for the show’s writers and producers. What more can most ask for?
