How can nine people make so much glorious, foot-stomping, heart-pumping music?
As previewed in an earlier article, the cast of Performance Network Theatre's Ain’t Misbehavin consists of two men and three women who can sing, dance and act with Broadway’s best. In fact, Darrian Ford has had multiple Broadway roles – but he seems to own this one, as the suave ladies’ man at an after-hours club in Harlem in the 1940s. He is joined by James Bowen, Jennifer Cole, Kron Moore and K Edmonds; together they generously serve up the Fats Waller music like tray after tray of Harlem Cocktails when the tab is on the house.
The singers are supported by the 'club’s' jazz quartet: R. MacKensie Lewis, the musical director and arranger for the show, plays a wicked stride piano and inspired accompaniment; Brad Faryniarz croons with a sexy sax; Chris Morelli on stand-up bass gives it brilliant bottom; and Billy Harrington, stuffed with his drum kit under the stairs, adds that solid, sometimes subtle sense of nuanced rhythm that marks club music.
This Edward Rhoze-directed show puts the audience in the heart of the after-hours club in Harlem, with a set design by Daniel C. Walker that takes us off the alley and downstairs to a little slice of jazz heaven.
All the standards are there – ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ ‘Ain't Misbehavin’ and ‘Squeeze Me,’ – plus such whimsical period pieces as ‘Viper’s Drag’ and ‘Your Feets Too Big.’ A highlight near the end of the show is the tight five-part, plaintive harmony rendered in ‘Black and Blue’ … the vocal version of high-precision formation flying.
We doubt that PNT wants to get into the speakeasy business, but we can easily imagine coming back to see this show every Saturday night.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ runs through January 1, 2012, with weekly performances on Thursdays at 7:30, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. matinees on Saturdays November 26 and December 10.
Tickets are priced at $27 - $46 and are available through the box office at 120 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48103, by phone (734-663-0681) or online. or. Box office hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-600 p.m. Discounts are available for students, seniors, members, groups and those under age 16.
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