‘A Musical Bow to Fats Waller’
After three months in a Manhattan cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’ opened on Broadway in May 1978 and ran for nearly four years and 1,604 performances. The musical revue, a tribute to the black musicians of the 20s and 30s, was named after the Fats Waller song of the same name (1929). In a 1941 interview, Waller claimed the song was written while “lodging” in alimony prison, and that is why he was not “misbehavin’.”
The show won a Best Musical Tony Award in 1978 and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical went to the fabulous Nell Carter (1948-2003), who sings the title song here:
Finally getting to you and your blog to catch up. Your range of interests and knowledge astound me, Martha. What a great theme for the challenge. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a wonderful start to the month.
Angelica French (Sharon Moore)
A-ZPersonalityQuirksforWriters
I’m working my way backwards through your challenge–so glad I am not too far behind! I saw Nell Carter in this in ’78. She was AMAZING!
I LOVE musicals and theatre, and am looking forward to seeing which ones you cover over the course of the challenge. One of my favourite things about living in and around London for a couple of years was the easy access to the West End and all the shows it had to offer. I grew up in a small country town in central Queensland so didn’t get to see a lot of shows when I was younger. As an adult with more disposable income, I would often (a couple of times a year) fly to Brisbane or Melbourne to see a show or two. Now I live in Brisbane, I love that I only have to pay for the ticket itself and not flights and accommodation! All the best with the challenge!
Ros from Fangirl Stitches
Hi Martha, I was going to do the theme musicals in the AtoZChallenge but then just thought I would follow you and relive my memories through your challenge. I changed my theme to Hockey. My true passion as I have raised a lot of boys and they love hockey. It was either come to the table and eat or go hungry. I decided to join and I’m glad I did. We have made so many happy memories plus it’s hard to find things to share with your son’s when they become grown men.
The theater has always played a huge part in our lives. Our oldest got his piano performance degree and plays in the pit for musicals. Our other son’s are professional Ballet Dancers on Richmomd Ballet and one of them is actually choreographing his own ballet to the music of Phillip Glass. It will debut this week out in Richmond !!!! They have danced on Joffrey in Chicago, Houston Ballet, San Francisco. We couldn’t be prouder. It’s a hard life, especially the traveling companies, but they are young. We love, love, love the theater so I’ll be following your challenge. Good Luck and Blessings ❤
Scarlett, wow! Thank you for this post – I hope you enjoy the A to Z posts – some familiar, some maybe not. 💙🎶💙🎶💙
It’s a great motivator for me and I love sharing and reading other’s blogs…I’ll be reading along with your challenge and I’m pretty sure you’ll hit a musical that I have a story for. When we raised our family, it wasn’t disneyworld for summer vaca… It was broadway. I’m sure you can appreciate the expense that was for a middle class family of 6 OMG. That’s where the boys fell in love with ballet and the theater. We’ve seen Fosse in New York. I remember on our first trip there, a waiter took pity on us because we had no idea how expensive it was. He gave us the sausage for free. There definitely was some adjusting that needed to be done. My boys audition there all the time and it drive me nuts… I think maybe college would’ve been better. Who knew, it’s their dream ❤
I *love* this song. Looking forward to seeing your other posts. I’m re-teaching myself to play the piano right now, and this is the piece I’m working on. 🙂 @mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
How great is that??!! Thanks! 🎶🎶 Happy playing
Love Broadway musicals and would have loved to see this with Nell Carter. One day I will see this musical. Some great songs here. I am doing my theme about movies at http://createdbybb.blogspot.ca.
Hi! And thank you. Following your posts and really looking forward to seeing what your movies will be!
Thank you for sharing something that I didn’t know! I am going to really enjoy reading your blogs!
http://authenticallylivinglife.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-is-for-authenticity-atozchallenge.html
Thanks! Heading over to yours now.
Gosh. Ditto what the previous Denise said!!!
My two Denises! 💕💕💕
I know the song but have never seen the musical. I did not know that Nell Carter had passed. This should be a very interesting theme.
She died too young, Denise, and had a difficult younger life.
Awesome! What a great theme Martha. I have heard the title before, but never knew how it came about; musical history……so exciting. Can’t wait for more! Zulu Delta
ZD – I do love this theme. Hope you find some good clips in the coming weeks!
What memories that brings back. I didn’t know it ran so long–definitely deserved it.
Memories for me, too, Jacqui. Thanks for posting.
That’s a super fun way to start your challenge! Great song, though a little too short 🙂
Best,
Nilanjana.
Madly-in-Verse
Theme : Arabiana
Too short, Nilanjana!
I’ve seen Ain’t Misbehavin twice, it is a great show! The musical score can’t help but draw you in to the cast. See it if you have the chance!
Thanks, Karen. This piece was short, but it was the best I could find. Love Nell Carter
Great opening act! I am excited about your choice of writing for your challenge. ❤😊
Thanks, Leslie. You’ll see some old favorites, and I hope some new ones, too.
Great song. Thanks for sharing!
And thank you for posting! 🎶🎶
Oh, I miss Nell Carter. What a voice, and what a performer. What a fun way to start the challenge, Martha. Glad I found you.
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Eli@CoachDaddy
#AtoZChallenge: A is for device addiction
Glad I discovered your blog, Eli!
Same here, Martha!
It is a song I often sing in a choir, but I didn’t know the background. Sue from Sue’s Trifles
Thanks, Sue – lots more to come!
I have heard that song many times, but never knew the story behind it, thank you for enlightening me 🙂
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings – Shapeshifters and Werewolves
And thanks for stopping by! Heading over to your blog….
Ah! Love that song! 🙂
I love the Twenteis and this song really has that vibe.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
I love it, too! Wish it was longer….
I am SO going to enjoy this trip down Musical Lane! I love Broadway. Was in Brigadoon, South Pacific, and Carousel back in the day.
Calen~
Impromptu Promptlings
Thanks, Calen. I had fun putting it together. 🎶🎶🎶