“I am also interested in looking at this collection of Waller’s works as one would a finely curated art exhibit,” Page said. In his revival of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Page stated that he is “interested in the celebration of Blackness as well as examining the hard truth: the fetishization of Blackness. Like the court jester, Waller packs the voice and celebration of Black people, as protest, within the intricacies of his music.” Waller ‘the Clown Prince of Jazz.’ Beyond the racist implication of calling a Black man a ‘clown,’ the ‘clown’ is often the one person who can give the King the hard truth, through riddles, without being beheaded. “A 1978 New York Times article called Mr. “Fats Waller was not only a musical genius-he also deployed humor to covertly speak truth to power structures,” said Page, an Emmy-nominated director and choreographer. Recipient of a 2022 “Critic’s Pick” in The New York Times, this exciting new vision of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is directed and choreographed by Jeffrey L. Longstanding supporter of Westport Country Playhouse and the arts throughout Southern Connecticut, Bank of America, is the Corporate Production Partner of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Westport, CT - Westport Country Playhouse will kick off its 93 rd season with the sassy and sultry musical celebration, “Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical,” winner of the 1978 Tony Award® for Best Musical, from April 11 through April 29. The five-member cast features a contestant from “X Factor” and “The Voice” and two finalists from “American Idol.”
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