Photo Flash: Crossroads Theatre Co's AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' Begins Rehearsals

Crossroads Theater Co presents Ain't Misbehavin', a play based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr. Music is by Thomas "Fats" Waller, direction and choreography is by André De Shields and musical directing/onstage pianist is by J. Leonard Oxley.

Tickets: $40 previews, $65 for opening night including a reception; $50 all others. Purchase online at www.CrossroadsTheatreCompany.org or call 732-545-8100.

The Ain't Misbehavin' cast will feature Tyrone Davis Jr. (André), Zurin Villanueava (Charlaine), Rheaume Crenshaw (Nell), Johmaalya Adelekan (Armelia), and Jacob Ming-Trent (Ken). Backed by a swinging live band, headed by J. Leonard Oxley as musical director and onstage pianist, the five performers will capture the era with such favorite hit songs as "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Black and Blue," "Honeysuckle Rose," "The Joint Is Jumpin'," "Squeeze Me" and "Ain't Misbehavin'." The design team includes Burke Wilmore (Lighting/set design), Deborah Caney (Costume Design) and Joshua Reid (Sound Design).

A two-time Tony Award nominee, De Shields, whose prolific career spans more than four decades, was a member of the original company of Ain't Misbehavin' which initially opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club's cabaret in February, 1978. The reception was such that it was developed into a full scale musical which transferred to Broadway, opening in May, 1978 at the Longacre Theatre and instantly made history. In addition to receiving a Drama Desk Award nomination for creating the role of "André" in the original production, De Shields won an Emmy Award for his role in the NBC Television Special production of Ain't Misbehavin' which aired nationally in June, 1982.

Founded in 1978 by Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson, Crossroads Theatre Company embraces the vision that African-American theater is intended for a broad-based, diverse audience. As a major force in the development of new ideas and the introduction of formerly marginalized writers, Crossroads produces works that enrich and diversify the representation of African American culture on the American stage. Crossroads has produced more than 40 world premieres and received the Tony Award® in 1999 for Outstanding Regional Theatre in the United States.

PHOTOS BY LIA CHANG