LOS ANGELES, CA – Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT), in association with Fig Street Films, is pleased to announce the full cast and creative team for the production of AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’. Based on the book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr., the Tony-Award winning musical will feature choreography by Dominique Kelley (Broadway’s The Great Gatsby, Paper Mill’s After Midnight, DCPA’s Oklahoma!) and musical direction by William Foster McDaniel (Broadway’s Ain’t Misbehavin’, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Timbuktu!). As previously announced, the sizzling celebration of Fats Waller’s music will be directed by Wren T. Brown, ERT’s Founder & Producing Artistic Director, headlined by Grammy Award-winning singer Ledisi (Selma; Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story) and Chester Gregory (Broadway’s Hairspray and Motown: The Musical).
The limited engagement will run from May 21 to June 8, 2026, with the opening on May 23, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Performances will take place at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles. Tickets are now available at EbonyRep.org.
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ is a musical tribute celebrating Fats Waller, the international jazz pianist and composer whose passion for his art helped create and define American popular music and swing. The tribute features songs like “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “Black and Blue,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” “The Jitterbug Waltz,” and the title song, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
“Very little brings me more joy artistically than to explore the magnificence of the Harlem Renaissance and the music of brilliant artists like Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller,” shared Director Wren T. Brown. “This extraordinary period of intellectual, artistic, and cultural inspiration is still being robustly discussed and written about today, over 90 years after its culmination. In addition to this historic backdrop, having a cast with Ledisi, Chester Gregory, Connie Jackson, Marty Austin Lamar, and Natalie Wachen represents a director’s dream. I so look forward to ‘Getting the Joint Jumpin’ on the first day of rehearsal.”
In addition to Ledisi and Gregory, the cast of AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ includes Connie Jackson (Broadway’s Dreamgirls, Boston Court’s Cassiopea), Marty Austin Lamar (Off-Broadway’s Miss Evers’ Boys, Constellation Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors), and Natalie Wachen (HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Broadway’s Merrily We Roll Along).
In addition to Brown, Kelley, and Foster, the creative team for AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ includes scenic design by the late John Iacovelli, costume designer Wendell C. Carmichael, lighting designer Andrew Schmedake, sound designer Danny Fiandaca, props/furniture designer Kevin Williams, and production stage manager Elsbeth Collins.
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ was conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz with music by Fats Waller. The production originally opened in the Manhattan Theatre Club’s East 73rd cabaret on February 8, 1978. The musical opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on May 9, 1978. A short exclusive engagement of Ain’t Misbehavin’ was presented by Ebony Repertory Theatre in 2023 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center.
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ runs from May 21 to June 8, 2026, with the opening on May 23, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Performances are held at ERT’s home, the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles. The full performance schedule is available at EbonyRep.org. Tickets start at $35, and are available at EbonyRep.org or by phone at 323-964-9766.
BIOGRAPHIES
LEDISI is a Grammy Award-winning artist and one of the most dynamic vocalists of her generation. Classically trained, her powerhouse voice transcends genre, blending soul, R&B, gospel, and jazz with emotional depth and technical mastery. Ledisi has evolved from local stages to global acclaim, including a sold-out Carnegie Hall performance and a commanding appearance at Super Bowl LIX, where she opened the game with “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Ledisi recently released her 16th studio album, “The Crown,” a bold, genre-blurring celebration of identity, joy, and empowerment. The project marks a defining moment in her career, reinforcing her place as an artist who can’t be boxed in. Ledisi also released a tribute album in 2025 titled “For Dinah,” honoring jazz and blues legend Dinah Washington with reimagined classics that showcased her soulful artistry. The album dropped on October 3, 2025, blending Washington’s timeless material with Ledisi’s expressive voice and contemporary flair.
CHESTER GREGORY is an award-winning Broadway actor and recording artist whose career spans Broadway, national tours, regional theatre, and concert stages. Known for his powerful vocals, commanding presence, and emotional depth, he has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic performers in contemporary musical theatre.
His Broadway credits include Motown: The Musical as Berry Gordy, Sister Act as Eddie Souther, Cry Baby, Tarzan, and Hairspray. He is also widely recognized for his acclaimed portrayal of Jackie Wilson in The Jackie Wilson Story, which culminated in performances at the Apollo Theatre. His work consistently bridges musical excellence with deeply human storytelling.
Chester is a recipient of the NAACP Theatre Award, the Joseph Jefferson Award, and the Audelco Award, honors that reflect both his artistic excellence and cultural impact.
In addition to his stage career, Chester is a recording artist and creative storyteller whose work explores identity, transformation, and connection. This new musical marks the next chapter in a career defined by versatility, evolution, and a commitment to meaningful storytelling.
CONNIE JACKSON is an actress whose credits range from the Broadway revival of Michael Bennett’s Dreamgirls, to touring the world and recording with pop icon, Phil Collins, to recurring as Elaine on “NCIS.” A bucket list moment was singing with Barbra Streisand at the Grammys and MusiCares Person of the Year.
Her film roles include Aunt Ellis in Ethan Coen’s “Drive-Away Dolls,” Rene Lewis in Jay Silverman’s “Camera,” and Beth in the upcoming film “The Sheriff.”
Connie spends her spare time volunteering to photograph and give freedom rides to shelter animals. She also cooks 20 meals a month for the unhoused for the organization, Homey Made Meals. She encourages everyone to VOLUNTEER! www.conniejackson.com Instagram: @theconniejackson.
MARTY AUSTIN LAMAR is an accomplished actor, singer, writer, educator, and musician. Off Broadway Credits: Miss Evers Boys (Hofmann); Selected Regional Credits: Paradise Blue (Corn), Ain’t Misbehavin (Ken), Ragtime (Coalhouse), SPUNK (Man 2), Dreamgirls (James “Thunder” Early), Hamlet (King’s Ghost), Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope(Preacher/Ensemble), La Traviata (Barone); A Funny Thing…Forum (Miles Gloriosus), Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II; Helen Hayes Award). Musical Director Credits: WORKING, As You Like It, RENT, Merrily We Roll Along, The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson Musical, Black Nativity, Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage presents: To Serve This Present Age, Handel’s Messiah, Ain’t Misbehavin’. To God be all the glory!
NATALIE WACHEN is an award-winning actor, singer, and producer. A dynamic performer known for seamlessly transitioning between gritty television dramas and high-energy musical theater, Wachen is most recognized by TV audiences for her recurring role as Lenore White in the Emmy-winning HBO series “Boardwalk Empire.”
On the stage, Wachen has built an impressive New York resume, having starred as Mimi Marquez in the Off-Broadway revival of Rent, Mazeppa and Electra in the recent Broadway revival of Gypsy, and KT in the Tony-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along, which was subsequently released as a feature film last December.
The upcoming year marks a significant chapter for Wachen on screen as she is set to begin filming the feature film she penned in her Broadway dressing room last year.
Regionally, she has starred in productions of Ain’t Misbehavin’ multiple times, including two directed by original cast member Ken Page, one of which garnered her an Ovation Award.
WREN T. BROWN (Director), a fourth generation Angeleno, is in his fourth decade as an Actor, Producer and Director. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Wren is descended from a long line of talented performers. His family’s theatrical legacy can be found on the pages of his recently published book “The Family Business: Four Generations of One Black Family’s Artistic Odyssey.”
Films include: “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story,” “Beyond the Lights,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “Heart and Souls,” “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory,” and “Hollywood Shuffle.”
Partial list of television credits include: co-starred as Whoopi Goldberg’s brother and comic foil, on NBC’s “Whoopi.” Recurring roles: “The Orville: New Horizons” as Ambassador Rechik, and “Grey’s Anatomy.” Guest Stars: “Transparent,” “Dear White People,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Being Mary Jane,” “The Simpsons,” “Frasier,” and “Seinfeld.”
Voice-Over Narration: The History Channel’s “U.S.S. Constellation: Battling For Freedom,” “E! True Hollywood Story” on the life of Diana Ross and “Bronzeville.”
Theatre: As You Like It, On Borrowed Time, and The Gospel at Colonus.
Recent Theatre Directing: Fences, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Blues in The Night, and Ain’t Misbehavin.
Wren is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of the award winning, Ebony Repertory Theatre, Los Angeles’ first and only African American professional theatre company.
DOMINQUE KELLEY (Choreographer) is originally from Bridgeport, CT. He has been creating movement for musical theatre, tv, film, recording artists, and sports team entertainment for over two decades. At the ripe old age of 16 he co-choreographed Wild Women Blues, and has also choreographed such musical theatre staples as Oklahoma! (DCPA),Sophisticated Ladies (ZACH), and Singin’ in the Rain (ZACH). “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special,” “SYTYCD,” “Perry Mason,” Come Dance with Me,” “Flirty Dancing,” “The Masked Singer,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Bar Rescue” are a few of the television shows he has lent his artistic talents to. No stranger to stage and live performance, he has collaborated with recording artists such as Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Pink, Camila Cabello, Taylor Swift and countless others. He has been one of the main choreographers for such sports teams as the San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and various teams around the country. Dominique’s goal and endeavor are to bring movement and dance artistry to every facet of the entertainment industry.
WILLIAM FOSTER McDANIEL (Musical Director, Conductor, Pianist) is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at Capital University in his native Columbus, Ohio. He earned his Master of Music degree at Boston University and continued his studies in Paris, France as a Fulbright Scholar. Based in New York, Mr. McDaniel musical directed and conducted Broadway musicals throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In that capacity he brought three National Tours, back-to-back, to Los Angeles: Bubblin’ Brown Sugar, and Timbuktu! (starring Eartha Kitt), both at the Pantages, and the original cast of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Aquarius Theatre. Since recently relocating to L.A., Mr. McDaniel has musical directed Blues in the Night at the Ebony Repertory Theatre and at the Beverly O’Neill Theatre in Long Beach, CA. and Carmen Jones at the Ensemble Theatre Company in Santa Barbara, CA. Mr. McDaniel utilized his Pandemic “free time” to study, record and post his interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on YouTube.
THOMAS “FATS” WALLER (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) was an African American jazz pianist, organist, composer and comedic entertainer. He was born Thomas Wright Waller in New York City. Waller studied classical piano and organ before apprenticing himself to legendary Harlem stride pianist James P. Johnson. Johnson introduced Waller to the world of rent parties (a party with a piano player, designed to help pay the rent by charging the guests), and soon he developed a performing career. He was an excellent pianist, now usually considered one of the very best who ever played in the stride style-but his songwriting and his lovable, roguish stage personality (“One never knows, do one?”) overshadowed his playing.
Before his solo career, he played with many performers, from Erskine Tate to Bessie Smith, but his greatest success came with his own five- or six-piece combo, FATS WALLER AND HIS RHYTHM. Among his songs are “Squeeze Me” (1919), “Ain’t Misbehavin'” (1929), “Blue Turning Grey Over You” (1930), “Honeysuckle Rose” (1929), “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling” (1929), and “Jitterbug Waltz” (1942). He collaborated with the Tin Pan Alley lyricist Andy Razaf and had a commercially successful career which, according to some music critics, eclipsed his great musical talent. His nickname came about because he weighed nearly 300 pounds (136 kg). His weight and drinking are believed to have contributed to his death.
Waller also made a successful tour of the British Isles in the late 1930s and appeared in one of the earliest BBC Television broadcasts. He also appeared in several feature films and short subject films, most notably “Stormy Weather” in 1943. With Razaf he wrote “What Did I Do (To Be So Black and Blue)?” in 1929 which became a hit for Louis Armstrong. This song, a searing treatment of racism, black and white, calls into question the accusations of “shallow entertainment” leveled at both Armstrong and Waller.
On December 15, 1943, at age 39, Waller died aboard an eastbound train in the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri, following a west coast engagement.
RICHARD MALTBY, JR. (Original Director, Conceiver) On Broadway, he conceived and directed two Tony Award-winning musicals: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1978: Tony, N.Y. Drama Critics, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards – also Tony Award for Best Director); Fosse (1999: Tony, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards); as well as Ring of Fire, (2006). With composer David Shire: Director/Lyricist: Baby (1983, seven Tony nominations); Lyricist: Big (1996, Tony nomination: Best Score; also, Dominium Theatre London 2019). With Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, Co-Lyricist: Miss Saigon, Evening Standard Award, London 1990; Tony nomination: Best Score, 1991; Co-Lyricist: The Pirate Queen, (2007). Director: The Story of My Life (2009). Director/Co-Lyricist: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance (1986 Tony Award for star, Bernadette Peters) Off-Broadway Work includes with David Shire: Director/Lyricist Starting Here, Starting Now (1977, Grammy nomination) and Closer Than Ever, (1989, two Outer Critics Circle Awards: Best Musical, Best Score; also, Off-Broadway Alliance Award, Best Musical Revival 2013; and London Jermyn Street Theatre 2014,). Director: Just Jim Dale (Roundabout Theatre 2014, Vaudeville Theatre, London 2015).
Regional Credits include: Lyricist/conceiver, Take Flight, (Menier Chocolate Factory, London 2010; McCarter Theatre 2012); Book and Lyrics, Waterfall (2015, Pasadena Playhouse and Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre); Lyricist, new musical Sousatzka (2017, Toronto). Film credits include: Screenplay, “Miss Potter”, (2007: Christopher Award, best screenplay.).
Maltby contributes cryptic crossword puzzles to “Harper’s Magazine.” He is the son of a well-known orchestra leader; he has five children: Nicholas, David, Jordan, Emily and Charlotte.
MURRAY HORWITZ (Conceiver) began his career working with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus as a clown for three years. In 1973, after moving to New York City, Horwitz appeared in the one-man show, An Evening of Sholom Aleichem, which was directed by Richard Maltby Jr., and in which he continues to perform at The Kennedy Center, The Manhattan Theatre Club, and The New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theater. In 1978, Horwitz created Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Richard Maltby Jr. The musical is named after a Fats Waller song. Horwitz received multiple awards for co-writing Ain’t Misbehavin’, including a Tony, Obie, Emmy, Grammy, and New York Drama Critics’ Circle award.
He became the assistant director of Opera-Musical Theater at the National Endowment for the Arts in 1987. Since 1998, Horwitz has been creative consultant to the annual Mark Twain Prize ceremonies at the Kennedy Center. In 1989, he began his career at NPR, where he was instrumental in creating radio game show “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” He is also frequently a panelist on another public radio game show, “Says You!” He was also involved with “Wynton Marsalis: Making the Music” and “The NPR Basic Jazz Record Library.” Horwitz received three Peabody awards for his work at NPR.
In 2002, Horwitz became the founding director of the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was the director and chief executive officer from 2002 until 2009. He later served in fundraising positions at Washington National Opera and the Washington Performing Arts Society. In 2016, Horwitz took over as host of WAMU’s “The Big Broadcast” old-time radio show. He gave Lin-Manuel Miranda critical suggestions and bought him his first rhyming dictionary when Miranda was writing his first play, In the Heights. He is also a co-host of the podcast “Question of the Day.”
EBONY REPERTORY THEATRE (ERT) Under the direction of Founder/Producing Artistic Director Wren T. Brown and Managing Director Gayle Hooks, ERT is the resident company and operator of the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. ERT is Los Angeles’ only African American professional theatre company. Under Wren T. Brown’s producorial leadership, ERT has produced Ovation Award and NAACP Theatre Award-winning productions of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In the Sun. Most recent productions include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Five Guys Named Moe which starred Emmy Award-winner Obba Babatundé and received 10 Ovation Award nominations and Gospel at Colonus, which starred Tony Award-winner Roger Robinson and garnered 14 Ovation Award nominations. Other ERT productions include Jeff Stetson’s Fraternity, Phillip Hayes Dean’s Robeson, Sheldon Epps’s Blues in the Night, and more.
