Friday, July 23, 2010
New Harmony Theatre continues 2010 season with the Fats Waller musical show, "Ain't Misbehavin'"
Michelle Robinson
The comic and musical soul of 1930s Harlem lives on in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway's best, featuring songs like Ain't Misbehavin', Honeysuckle Rose, and Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do. The production evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast of New York-based actors struts, strums, and sings the songs Fats Waller made famous. Robinson is a 14-year veteran dancer of the Chicago company on Broadway. She is one of four performers from the original cast. Robinson started as a ballerina, training with the Dance Theatre of Harlem starting at the age of 9 into her teen years. She served four years as a soloist with the Eleo Pomare modern dance company. She danced with the Rocketts for eight years two years in the Christmas show. She also is a choreographer, a director, and an actress (Malcolm X, Cast Away, and a recurring role on the soap opera One Life to Live). She occasionally is an actor in Chicago, as an understudy for Mama Morton. Her regular role in Chicago is Liz, who offed her boyfriend for cracking his gum in "Cell Block Tango." She is a native of New York and the fourth of five children. She earned her B.F.A. in dance from the State University of New York. She debuted on Broadway in "Black and Blue." Performers in the New Harmony show are Cicily Daniels as Armelia, Joilet F. Harris as Nell, Tony Perry as Ken, Anita Welch as Charlayne, and Anthony Wills, Jr. as Andre. Phillip Hall is the musical director Robinson also provides the choreography with additional choreography by Katie Ostrowski. Scenery is designed by Tijana Bjelajac and costumes are designed by Shan Jensen, USI associate professor of theatre. Craig A. Young is designing the lighting and Sean Allan Doyle the sound. "Ain't Misbehavin'" plays at Murphy Auditorium at 419 Tavern Street in New Harmony. Tickets are $29 for adults, $27 for seniors (60 and over), and $12 for anyone 25 or younger. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from July 30 through August 15. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at 812/682-3115 or toll free at 1-877-NHT-SHOW (648-7469), or visit the theatreâ▚¬â–žÂ¢s web site at www.newharmonytheatre.com. |
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