In the middle of this wintery mess, The Drama Group is jazzed to announce that “the joint is jumping’!” as Director, Cordaro Johnson, Music Director, Elliott Bell and Choreographer, Liza Marie bring on the musical revue AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ set in a 20’s jazz club ala Cotton Club in Harlem. Based on the catalogue of songs of the legendary jazz pianist Fats Waller.
Show times for AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ are 7:30pm beginning Friday, February 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24; ADDED Saturday matinee February 24 at 2:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm February 18 and 25.
The Drama Group has an online ticketing service - BookTix Ticketing and Livestreaming. All tickets are available by going to The Drama Group BookTix website https://dg.booktix.com/, where you will be directed to set up your account with “The Drama Group-BookTix Box Office.” Or you may always opt to call our Box Office at 708-755-3444.
SYNOPSIS – AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ is a musical revue with a book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., and music by various composers and lyricists as arranged and orchestrated by Luther Henderson. It is named after the song by Fats Waller (with Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf), “Ain’t Misbehavin.'”
The musical is a tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and 1930s who were part of the Harlem Renaissance, an era of growing creativity, cultural awareness, and ethnic pride, and takes its title from the 1929 Waller song “Ain’t Misbehavin.'” It was a time when Manhattan nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom were the playgrounds of high society and Lenox Avenue dives were filled with piano players banging out the new beat known as swing. Five performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs that encapsulate the various moods of the era and reflect Waller’s view of life as a journey meant for pleasure and play.
The Drama Group continues its Community Outreach Programs by partnering with Merit School of Music, engaging thousands of Chicagoland youth through equal access to deep, meaningful and sustained music education. They have 2,500 + students from 139+ zip codes learning music together. Each year Merit provides
$2.4 million in financial aid and direct student support. Merit students – future doctors, engineers, teachers, concert pianist and jazz trumpeters – go on to achieve their biggest dreams and share their gifts with the world.
There will be a donation box in the lobby of the Drama Group studio building evenings from Sunday, February 11 through the run of the show, Sunday, February 25. A poster with more information and a QR code to accept online donations is provided
The Drama Group is pleased to be a member of Southland Arts with 26 local arts organizations. See details at southlandarts.org.
“A Bridge to a Colorful Joyful World.”
The Drama Group acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information contact Diane Kaffka, The Drama Group Marketing & Publicity 708-738-2345, www.dramagroup.org
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
CAST
Ken - Anthony Augustine, Chicago, IL
Andre - Kentrell Dawson, Chicago, IL
Charlaine - Liane Williams, Chicago, IL
Armelia - Erline Dorcy, Chicago Heights, IL
Nell - Marquetta Jackson, Chicago, IL
Bartender / Understudy - Lauren Jackson, Hammond, IN
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director, Cordaro, Chicago, IL
Asst Director, Marylee Hoganson, Homewood, IL
Music Director, Elliott Bell, Chicago, IL
Choreographer, Liza Marie
Scenic Design, Russ Hoganson, Homewood, IL
Lighting Design, Jennifer Larkin, New Lenox, IL
Sound Director, Stephen Lopez, Chicago, IL
Sound Assistant, Stacy Norris
Costumes, Qiana McNary Licorish
Asst Costumes, Suzanne Ashlock, Homewood, IL
Make Up Design, Kyna Simpson, Park Forest, IL
Hair Design, Didi Roby
Construction Lead, Ken Hawkley, Homewood, IL
Props / Decor, Arlene Freeman, South Holland, IL
Props / Décor, Tina Zagone, Olympia Fields, IL
Artistic Scenic Paint, Jane Nix, Olympia Fields, IL
Paint crew, Barbie Whitney, Richton Park, IL
Stage Manager, Ken Hawkley, Homewood, IL
Production Manager, Rose Crockett, Chicago Heights, IL
Marketing, Diane Kaffka, Tinley Park, IL
Publicity / Marketing, Tina Zagone, Olympia Fields, IL
Audition vocal coach, Tosha Sampson
Audition vocal coach, Jeremiah Johnson
Set pieces / tables, MaryEllen Fawk, Chicago Heights, IL