Two of 'American Idol's most memorable talents – hands down – is Season Two winner Ruben Studdard and the same season's finalist Frenchie Davis.And in what is thought to be as a genius casting move, the two vocal powerhouses will share the stage for a revival tour of the classic Broadway musical 'Ain't Misbehavin.'
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Fats Waller revue is scheduled to kick off Nov. 17 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, before playing venues in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Texas and New York, among others.
Dates listed below.
Late Tony and Emmy Award winning diva Nell Carter broke into stardom with the featured female role in the 1978 production, which was helmed by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr.
Serving as a tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and 1930s -- who were part of the Harlem Renaissance -- the musical takes its title from the 1929 Fats Waller song 'Ain't Misbehavin'. Five performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs that encapsulate the various moods of the era and reflect Waller's view of life as a journey meant for pleasure and play.
Originally opening in the Manhattan Theatre Club's East 73rd Street cabaret on February 8, 1978 with featured singer Irene Cara, the show's reception was so exciting that it was decided to develop it into a full-scale production.
After fourteen previews, the Broadway production opened on May 9 at the Longacre Theatre, later moving to the Plymouth and then the Belasco before finally completing its 1604-performance run.
The original cast of 'Ain't Misbehavin'' was comprised of Carter, André DeShields, Armelia McQueen, Ken Page, Debbie Allen, Yvette Freeman, Adriane Lenox and Charlayne Woodard, who was also nominated for a Tony Award.
Davis, who will take on the role immortalized by Carter, said she's looking forward to the experience.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Ruben again and working with him,' Davis, who toured in productions of 'Dreamgirls' and starred in Broadway's 'Rent' said in a recent interview. "I'm excited about my future."
Studdard, who was dropped by his record label, is said to be following the path tracked by Page (who was last seen in the film version of 'Dreamgirls').
According to published reports, new material will be designed to compliment the former chart-topping balladeer.
"Ain't Misbehavin' 30th Anniversary Tour" Dates
Nov. 17-23 Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA
Nov. 28-30 Scranton Cultural Center Scranton, PA
Dec. 2-4 E.J. Thomas Hall Akron, OH
Dec. 5 County Events Center Saginaw, MI
Dec. 8 Embassy Theatre Ft. Wayne, IN
Dec. 9 Emens Auditorium Muncie, IL
Dec. 10 The Centre Evansville, IN
Dec. 14 Jesse Hall Columbia, MO
Jan. 3-4 2009 Van Wezel PAC Sarasota, FL
Jan. 8 Roanoke Civic Center Roanoke, VA
Jan. 9-11 Academy of Music Philadelphia, PA
Jan. 15 The Classic Center Athens, GA
Jan. 3-Feb. 1 Paramount Theatre Austin, TX
Feb. 3-9 BJCC Concert Hall Birmingham, AL
Feb. 13-15 Popejoy Hall Albuquerque, NM
Feb. 17-22 Kingsbury Hall Salt Lake City, UT
Feb. 23-26 Lincoln Center Ft. Collins, CO
March 3-4 Saroyan Theatre Fresno, CA
March 6-8 McCallum Theatre Palm Desert, CA
March 24-26 Morrison Center Boise, ID
March 28-29 Hult Center Eugene, OR
April 1-2 Pikes Peak Center Colorado Springs, CO
April 4 Lied Center for Performing Arts Lawrence, KS
April 7-8 Carson Four Rivers Center Paducah, KY
April 14 Eisenhower Theatre State College, PA
April 16 Renaissance Theatre Mansfield, OH
April 30 Strand Capitol Theatre York, PA
May 12-14 Crouse-Hinds Theatre Syracuse, NY
1. funny how EVERYBODY from AMERICAN IDOL is ending up on BROADWAY. That has always been the ultimate insult on there, with SIMON COWELL saying 'You are too Broadway, meant for Broadway, not a pop star' and so forth. Clay Aiken DID end up on Broadway (did SPAM-A-LOT) but then so did FANTASIA, DIANA DIGARMO, now RUBEN STUDDARD and FRENCHY (again, she did RENT) , Taylor Hicks may as well, and on and on.
It's NOT such a put down after all!
dipsy at 5:43AM on May 22nd 2008