By: T. Felder
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 05/28/26 — Ebony Repertory Theatre’s latest production of the Tony Award-winning musical revue Ain’t Misbehavin’ transforms the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center into a dazzling, jazz-soaked celebration of the Harlem Renaissance — one overflowing with rhythm, elegance, storytelling, and undeniable soul. More than a revival, the production feels like a cultural homecoming, honoring the enduring brilliance of legendary jazz composer and entertainer Fats Waller while breathing new life into his timeless catalog for a modern audience.
Directed with warmth and precision by Wren T. Brown, featuring dynamic choreography by Dominique Kelley and lush musical direction by William Foster McDaniel, the production masterfully captures the spirit of a transformative era in Black artistry and American music. From the opening number, the audience is transported into a world of smoky jazz clubs, swing-era glamour, infectious humor, and emotional vulnerability. Every detail — from the vibrant costuming to the fluid choreography and live musical arrangements — works together to create an immersive theatrical experience that is both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary.
At the center of it all is Grammy Award-winning vocalist Ledisi, whose commanding performance elevates the production far beyond a standard musical revue. Rather than simply revisiting the music of Fats Waller, Ledisi reinterprets it through her own rich artistic lens, creating a deeply emotional dialogue between past and present. Her performance is not imitation; it is evolution.
From the moment she steps onto the stage, there is a palpable shift in energy throughout the theater. Ledisi possesses the rare ability to command attention effortlessly, blending technical vocal mastery with emotional transparency in a way that feels both intimate and electrifying. Known globally for her work across R&B, soul, jazz, and gospel, she brings a level of depth and authenticity to the production that anchors the entire evening.
Her voice — rich, textured, and emotionally layered — becomes the heartbeat of the show. In lively ensemble numbers, Ledisi radiates charisma, confidence, and playful sophistication, moving seamlessly through the production’s flirtatious humor and high-energy jazz arrangements. Yet it is in the quieter, more emotionally vulnerable moments where her artistry truly shines.
Her performance of “Black and Blue” is particularly unforgettable. Stripped down and emotionally raw, Ledisi delivers the haunting classic with a sincerity that silences the room. The number, which explores themes of racial pain and identity, lands with striking relevance nearly a century after it was written. Ledisi doesn’t oversing the moment; instead, she allows the weight of the lyrics and the honesty in her delivery to speak for themselves. The result is one of the production’s most powerful and emotionally resonant scenes.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH LEDISI
Following the performance, Ledisi spoke with The Hollywood Times about what drew her to the production, her connection to the Harlem Renaissance era, and the emotional depth behind the music.
Q: What drew you to Ain’t Misbehavin’ and made you say yes to this production at this point in your career?
Ledisi: What drew me to it was the fact that I get to work with my good friend Chester Gregory and work with Wren. It was really the people supporting me and wanting me to do it that made me want to say yes. Their belief in me meant a lot. And honestly, working with your friends is really, really cool.
Q: This show celebrates the genius of Fats Waller and the Harlem Renaissance. How do you personally connect to that era and its energy?
Ledisi: It’s raw. It’s free. It’s jazz and blues together. I’m from New Orleans, so it feels like New Orleans to me. Of course, I love musical theater — I’ll always love it. The way I connect to it is through the storytelling. It’s some of the best storytelling ever.
Q: Was there a particular song in the show that resonated with you differently once you began rehearsing it?
Ledisi: Singing “Black and Blue” with my cast members really gets to me. Every time we sing it, I get choked up. I keep telling myself, “Hold your note, hold your note.” That song just grabs me every single time. Another song I really love performing solo is “Mean to Me.” I love the simplicity of it, but also the lyrics. The lyrics are beautiful.
Q: Your voice carries both technical mastery and deep emotional storytelling. How do you approach honoring legendary music while still making it unmistakably Ledisi?
Ledisi: I always think about the storytelling first. I listen to how the music was sung before me by beautiful, masterful singers and sometimes even instrumentalists. I always think about why the writer wrote the song in the first place. Then I ask myself, “How would you say this today, in your own voice?” That’s important because I want this generation to connect to it and fall in love with it. One of the biggest compliments I ever received came from my Dinah Washington shows. A young woman posted online that she never really knew much about Dinah Washington until she heard me sing her music, and that it made her want to learn more about Dinah. That’s a huge compliment to me because it means the story continues. That’s what I hope happens with this musical too — that new listeners who may have never heard of Fats Waller will want to learn more about him and his music.
The chemistry among the ensemble cast — including Chester Gregory, Connie Jackson, Marty Austin Lamar, and Natalie Wachen — further strengthens the production. Together, they create a vibrant theatrical rhythm that keeps the audience fully engaged from beginning to end. Gregory, in particular, brings both charm and commanding stage presence, complementing Ledisi beautifully throughout the production’s many musical exchanges.
Ultimately, Ain’t Misbehavin’ succeeds because it understands the enduring power of Black music as both entertainment and historical testimony. Ebony Repertory Theatre has crafted a production that celebrates joy without ignoring the emotional complexities woven into the era that inspired it.
SHOW DETAILS & TICKETS
Venue: Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles
Run Dates: May 21 – June 8, 2026
Tickets: https://www.ebonyrep.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebonyrep
