People looking to melt those winter blues may want to warm things up by attending a red-hot performance of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
The razzle-dazzle musical is being produced by the Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company to celebrate Black History Month.
It will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Westmont Hilltop Middle School auditorium, 827 Diamond Blvd., Johnstown.
A talented cast is ready to unleash the pulsating rhythms of this high-spirited classic.
“Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” is a rollicking, finger-snapping show that is considered to be one of Broadway’s most well-crafted revues.
“Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” launched the career of the late Nell Carter, who won a 1978 Tony Award for best musical and best performance by a featured actress.
For musical director Jeffrey Webb, it is a show that he has wanted to revisit since he first sang in the show in high school.
“That was 20 years ago at Schenley High School in Pittsburgh,” said Webb of Johnstown, a music professor at Pitt-Johnstown who also will sing the role of Ken Page.
When Webb presented the idea of a show with an all African-American cast to get the backing of the Shakespeare company’s board of directors, he stressed his passion for the music.
“This music begs to be shared with people because it’s so full of life and poignancy,” Webb said.
The musical, with its array of hit songs and dance numbers, will transport the audience back to the 1920s and ’30s Harlem via a melodious time machine.
“The set is minimal, and there is no dialogue in the show – the entire production is done in music,” Webb said.
“Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” has many moods, all springing from the show’s five quirky and all-too-human characters.
The cast includes Katrina Bodenschatz, a freshman at Penn State, portraying the tough-as-nails Armelia; Venus Hall of Johnstown as the sassy Nell; Adia G. Dobbins of Johnstown as the hyperactive party girl Charlaine; Tony Malvoisin of Johnstown as the dapper André; and Webb as the ladies’ man Ken.
A seven-piece band comprised of local musicians will be onstage during the entire performance.
“It took us a while to put this musical puzzle together,” Webb said. “We had a difficult time finding the right five people to do this and began with open auditions back in October.”
He considers the cast first-class and ready to bring to life such classic popular hits as “Honeysuckle Rose,” “This Joint Is Jumpin’,” “Your Feet’s Too Big” and the title song, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
The musical flaunts the vibrancy of the nightlife in Harlem.
“This is a cabaret-style show and is as true to the Broadway show as we could get,” Webb said.
“The same can be said of costuming, which for me includes a pin-stripped suit, wing-tipped shoes, and either a fedora or a bowler hat.”
Other electrifyingly songs include “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling,” “Cash For Your Trash,” “Find Out What They Like” and “Mean to Me.”
The show will be directed by Doug Meagher.
A classic
What: “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
Where: Westmont Hilltop Middle School auditorium, 827 Diamond Blvd., Johnstown.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets: Mr. Muffler, 1022 Scalp Ave.; Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 111 Roosevelt Blvd., or at the door.
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students.
Information: 539-9500.
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