Jazz in the Woods

Say it isn't so; I can't believe it's over. Not only was I feeling that way when the Timber Lake Playhouse's performance of “Ain't Misbehavin'” ended on opening night but about the Playhouse season ending in general. Opening night sped by and before I knew it there was intermission. By the end of the second act, I didn't want it to end; I was enjoying myself so much.

“Ain't Misbehavin'” has no dialogue but is instead filled with the wonderful jazz music of Fats Waller. The show features 5 jazz singers reminiscent of the Cotton Club in Harlem during the 1930's. Waller was a jazz pianist who wrote jazz and entertained in the first half of the last century. Born after the turn of the twentieth century in New York, he wrote jazz favorites from 1919 to 1942 like “Honeysuckle Rose”, “Jitterbug Waltz”, and “Squeeze Me”. He died in 1943 and in 1978 his music was revived into the Broadway classic “Ain't Misbehavin'”.

Starring is TLP veteran Daniel Riley from last year’s “Ragtime” and “Full Monty”. Riley plays Waller and as always he looks like he's having as much fun singing as the audience does listening. He draws the audience in, particularly during “Fat and Greasy”. I especially enjoyed the second act rendition of "Your Feets too Big" with Sean Walton (the only other male performer, a rhythmic dancer and an animated actor). "I got a table for four: you, me and your two big feet," Riley sings.

As much as I enjoy listening to Riley, he was out performed by Karen Marie Richardson. Her voice was made for this show. With her soulful eyes and voice, "Mean to Me" was one of the best songs of the night. She has a voice like a 30’s jazz singer, similar to Billie Holiday.

Finishing off the cast was the petite Lili-Anne Brown. Last year she was assistant-director and appeared in “Ragtime”. Brown choreography of “Ain't Misbehavin'” added entertaining visuals to the wonderful music, a great addition. Also the sexy plus-size Bethany Thomas made her TLP Debut. Thomas has a full range voice and her sultry looks at the audience make her perfect for jazz and a fun performer to watch.

My favorite full "company" song came toward the end with an a cappella bluesy "Black and Blue". The harmonic range of the cast was really beautiful and they were in perfect sync. You could tell they spent a lot of rehearsals on this one song.

The full size live jazz band sat center stage behind clear glass and was sometimes curtained. Nolan Dresden conducted the 7 members. At TLP sometimes the live music drowns out the performance but the placement and the glass dimmed the sound just enough not to drown the performers. At the beginning of the second act the band does a solo of “Ain't Misbehavin'”. They captured the sound and atmosphere of the Cotton Club era.

Chuck Smith, guest director, returns for his 5th season at TLP. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for the League of Chicago Theaters recently. We hope he comes back again next year.

Tickets are on sale for next seasons, $80 per person for all six shows. "Ain't Misbehavin'" runs now through August 20.

(by Barb Benson, Guest Columnist)