Theater Review – February 22, 2026

ATC’S “AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’” IS A JUBILANT MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO “FATS” WALLER

“Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” is a swinging, vibrantly alive tribute to the wonderfully jazzy Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller music he wrote between the mid ‘20’s and early ‘40’s.  His tunes were popular with the public and shine beautifully in the jazzy Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) production that explodes all over the Tempe Center’s stage.  The winningly rich ATC production is one of the company’s best musical homages and they’ve done their share of these extravaganzas over the years.

Other critics have described this 1978 musical revue as “jumpin’ and jivin’” and those words fit this stellar ATC staging perfectly.  The show won three Tony Awards including Best Musical when it premiered on Broadway.  Not only is the music performed with lusty elan by musical director Abdul Hamid Royal and his foot-stompin’ band but the five-person cast couldn’t be better as they sing out these delightful Waller tunes with marvelous gusto and dynamically throbbing spirit.  Waller wrote these tunes for such well-known New York City nightclubs as the Cotton Club and Savoy Ballroom.  He died at 39 from excessive drinking.  An early departure for an amazing talent.

There’s not much story as “Ain’t Misbehavin’” moves through Waller’s musical triumphs including the title tune, “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love,” and “Black and Blue” among the 30 featured tunes.  “Ain’t Misbehavin’” was an early jukebox musical and it set the tone for many later shows that continue this popular musical theater genre like “Jersey Boys” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

The staging and dances by Dell Howlett present the piece as a jubilant nightclub revue just as it was originally envisioned.  The clever unit set swirls, moves, and provides an ever-changing environment to showcase the delightful tunes.  The excellent staging and design elements provide the perfect look for the fine cast to sing Waller’s familiar tunes with spirited luster.

A few highlights include Anthony Murphy’s marvelously amusing “Your Feet’s Too Big” and Taylor Colleton’s “Find Out What They Like” glistens.  Willie Ferguson III sparkles with comic delight in “The Viper’s Drag.”  Aerie Williams provides a sultry “Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now” while Keirsten Hodgens provides a show-stopping “Mean to Me.”  These are high points in a continually entertaining revue.

ATC’s wonderfully energetic “Ain’t Misbehavin’” provides a glowingly vivacious “Fats” Waller tune fest.  It continues through March 8 at the Tempe Center for the Arts.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Arizona Theatre Company box office at 833-ATC-SEAT or order online at www.atc.org.

Grade: A