By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Ain’t Misbehavin
A nice way to spend an evening this time of year is to attend a live musical – a theatrical show that can fill a summer night with well-loved tunes.
This weekend, two area theaters — People’s Light (People’s Light 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org) and Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Wilmington, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelware.com) — are presenting musicals that are long-time family favorites.
Coincidentally, both musicals have titles that start with the first letter of the alphabet – “Ain’t Misbehavin’” in Malvern and “Annie” in Arden.
The shows have numerous other similarities.
Both shows are set in the 1930s in New York and opened on Broadway in the late 1970s – “Annie” in 1977 and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” in 1978.
Each production also garnered numerous accolades.
The Fats Waller musical won three Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards. “Annie” collected seven Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards.
“Ain’t Misbehavin’” is a musical revue with a book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr., and music by various composers and lyricists as arranged and orchestrated by Luther Henderson.
It is named after the song by Fats Waller (with Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf) – “Ain’t Misbehavin.’”
The musical is a tribute to the music of Waller (1904-1943), who composed music in a time when Manhattan nightclubs such as the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom were the playgrounds of high society and Lenox Avenue dives were filled with piano players banging out the new beat known as swing.
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.
Directed by People’s Light Resident Artist Steve H. Broadnax III, the production runs through August 16, 2026, on the Leonard C. Haas Stage.
Conceived by Richard Maltby Jr. and Murray Horwitz, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is a toe-tapping celebration of the music, spirit and style that defined the Harlem Renaissance.
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that forever changed American music, theatre and art, and Fats Waller was one of its brightest stars.
This show invites audiences into a world filled with humor, romance, swagger and incredible music. At its core, it’s about people finding ways to celebrate life despite life’s challenges and that message feels as relevant today as ever.
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning, jazz-infused score includes Waller’s famous hits like “Honeysuckle Rose” and “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”.
This playful and exuberant tribute to the iconic tunes of the era captures the essence of Manhattan’s nightlife, from the swanky Cotton Club to the lively dives of Lenox Avenue. Directed by Broadway’s Steve H. Broadnax III (A Raisin in the Sun, Bonez), “Ain’t Misbehavin’” brings the pulse of an unforgettable musical era to life.
People’s Light’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is a co-production with Arkansas Repertory Theatre, bringing together artists from two leading regional theaters to celebrate the enduring legacy of Fats Waller and the Harlem Renaissance.
The cast of the show at People’s Light features Tawanna Campbell (Nell), Marcus Allen Jordan (Ken, Associate Director), Candace Thomas (Charlaine), Chabrelle D. Williams (Armelia) and Dorse Brown (André, Choreographer).
“We’re doing this show in association with Arkansas Repertory Theatre,” said Williams, during a phone interview last week from the theater in Malvern.
“We did the first part of the run in Arkansas at the end of May. We were in Little Rock.”
Prior to the run in Little Rock, Williams was doing a show just north of Chester County – at the Theatre Horizon in Norristown.
The show? “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
The role? – Armelia.
“The director of the show in Norristown had seen me in ‘A Christmas Carol’ at People’s Light last December,” said Williams. “He asked me if I wanted to have the role of Armelia.”
Williams began her “Ain’t Misbehavin’” adventure with a run in Norristown that lasted from April 29 until May 17. Then, it was time to head south.
“After May 17, I took a few days of rest to pack and get my head together,” said Williams, who got degrees in acting at Oberlin College (undergrad) and University of Cincinnati (graduate) and then an “Artist Diploma” from Rice University.
“Tux and I hopped on the road on May 23,” said Williams. “ We did shows in Arkansas from May 24-June 28 and then left for Pennsylvania on June 29.”
Tux is Williams’ dog Tuxedo.
“That’s my puppy Tuxedo,” said Williams. “She’s an Australian Shepherd mix. She comes with me everywhere. She loves to travel.”
Williams is a Barrymore Award Winner and a versatile artist who has performed in operas, concerts, recitals, and musical theater across America.
Her journey in the arts has allowed her to perform in spaces such as the Lincoln Center Theater where she played the role of Esther Mills in the World Premiere of the opera “Intimate Apparel” and also The Mother in “Amahl and the Night Visitors” with Kentucky Opera.
This season, she has made some significant debuts which include the role of High Priestess and title cover in the opera “Aida” by Verdi at Anchorage Opera. She also works for Opera Philadelphia as their Community Arts Facilitator.
The show at People’s Light opened on July 8 and is running until August 16.
While Williams may be very familiar with “Ain’t Misbehavin’” now, such was not the case earlier in the year.
“This is my first time for “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” said Williams.
“I never even saw it before this.
“I didn’t watch the show until I got the role at Theatre Horizon. Then, I saw how good this show was.
“One of my goals as an artist is storytelling. When I first heard the show, I heard the harmonies and I heard the lyrics. It amazed me how much depth Fats Weller put into his songs.
“After that, I went back and listened to Fats Waller’s catalogue. He’s so funny. I love what he has to say with his music. He had a really good spirit that he shared with us.”
The show has no plot, per se, but it still tells a story.
“Even though there is no through line, we still take the audience on an emotional journey,” said Williams, who grew up in Philly and graduated from CAPA (High School For Creative & Performing Arts in Philadelphia).
“Audiences like it because they appreciate really amazing talent – great singers and storytellers. This cast has cultivated joy.”
Video link for “Ain’t Misbehavin’” – https://youtu.be/gJ2XwVrGEuU?si=45XT7SQffsq4PvP9.
The show will run at People’s Light now through August 16.
Ticket prices start at $35.
Now through August 30, the Candlelight Theater is presenting “Annie” – complete with bashful canine star-in-the-making Charlie as Sandy.
This show has a structure which is different than many other shows. The main character has the arc and everyone around Annie transforms.It was the Great Depression, and everyone was suffering. And then, there was this little girl with an indomitable spirit.
The original production of Annie had its world premiere on August 10, 1976, at the Goodspeed Opera House in Haddam, Connecticut, and opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977, at the Alvin Theatre (Neil Simon Theatre).
The production, featured Andrea McArdle as Annie, went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album, and seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). It closed on Broadway after playing 2,377 performances.
“Annie” was revived on Broadway in 1997 and again in 2014. It has been made into a film three times (1982, 1999, 2014) and was most recently featured as a live television production on NBC. The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever. It has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 45 years.
The beloved score for “Annie” includes “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”
The show has gone on numerous national tours and featured notable cast members such as child star Amanda Balon as Annie and television/movie/stage/rock band veteran Mackenzie Phillips as Lily St. Regis.
The major roles in Candlelight’s “Annie” are played by Anthony Vitalo (Oliver Warbucks) and Tori Healy (Miss Hannigan) and the two young standouts who are Annie – Sophie Hirwe (Red Cast) and Allyson Crane (Green Cast).
Even though it is closing in on the 50th anniversary of its Broadway debut, it still delights generations of theater audiences.
“As long as the people who come to the show enjoy it, we’ve done our jobs,” said Vitalo.
“And the comments we get from the audience members at the post-show greeting line are great.
“With a show like ‘Annie,’ it’s more heart-warming. People share their love by coming to Candlelight.”
Vitalo, who had to shave his head to play Daddy Warbucks, had no reservations. He loved the role that much.
“The role is amazing,” said Vitalo. “It’s funny. I grt to have sentimental nice moments.
“What I like most is that he isn’t all talk. He’ll certainly speak his mind. He’s earned the right.
“The biggest challenge was making sure I wasn’t acting as a cartoon. But I was equal to the challenge.”
Vitalo, who is making his Candlelight Theatre debut, has an impressive acting resume. His Off-Broadway credits include “Reach for the Stars” and “Rock and Roll Fantasy.”
Other credits include Chess (Anatoly), Memphis the Musical (Huey), The Music Man (Harold Hill), White Christmas (Bob), Evita (Che), Wedding Singer (Robbie), Legally Blonde (Emmett), Cabaret (Cliff), RENT (Benny) and the Rocky Horror Show LIVE! (Frank N. Furter). Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), The Last Five Years (Jamie), The Who’s Tommy (Narrator/Tommy), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown/Snoopy), Into The Woods (Baker), and Blood Brothers (Narrator).
“I grew up In Delaware and then went to junior and senior high in Freehold, New Jersey,” said Vitalo, who is a teacher at St. Ann’s Catholic School in Wilmington.
“I was a theater major at Rider University and then did some Off-Broadway plays in the late 1990s. In my mid-20s, I loved teaching. So, I started out teaching private vocal lessons to children.
“I worked in the casino industry for 15 years. I went back to school last year. Then the opportunity came up at St. Ann’s. I teach general music and I’m the parish music director.”
“Annie” is Vitalo’s acting debut at Candlelight but it’s not the first time he has worked on aq production at the theater.
“I’ve also worked as a music director with my wife Lauren,” said Vitalo. “We worked as a music directing team at Candlelight on ‘Sister Act.
“They have a well-oiled machine there. We got the opportunity to work with very talented folks from top to bottom.”
Now, Vitalo is engaged in another family affair in a show at Candlelight. His seven-year-old daughter Nora plays the role of Molly in the Green Cast.
“What do audiences like most — the easy answer is the kids,” said Vitalo. “They do a wonderful job.”
“Annie” runs through August 30 and features a themed meal and free parking.
Tickets are $81 for adults and $38.50 for children (ages 4-12). Tickets for show only are $43.50 (adults and children).
Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts (9 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com) will present MUTLU under the stars on July 31.
A Philadelphia native, Mutlu combines his innate Philly-soul style with elements of folk, reggae and rock. This cohesive blend of music creates a rare and retro sound that is entirely timeless.
But Mutlu is more than just a Philly boy.
Mutlu (pronounced moot’-lu) is a first-generation American whose parents moved from Türkiye (Turkey) to the United States in the 1970s.
He even shares his name with the company Mutlu which is Türkiye’s best-selling manufacturer of batteries for cars and light commercial vehicles.
“I lived in Turkey when I was in third grade,” said Mutlu, during a phone interview from his home in the Logan Square section of Philadelphia.
“I used to go to Turkey every summer. Now, it’s been 20 years since I’ve been there. I just haven’t had the chance.”
Born Mutlu Onaral, he grew up steeped in Philadelphia’s deep R&B traditions, eagerly absorbing the fundamentals of old-school soul music and incorporating it into his own musical persona.
He discovered the strength of his voice in high school while singing in a Broadway revue. He liked being on stage but didn’t anticipate pursuing it as a career.
However, while earning a marketing degree from Drexel University, he spent innumerable hours practicing guitar, writing songs, and playing open mic nights.
Now roughly two decades into a career as a professional musician, he believes that his Turkish heritage informs his perspective as an artist.
According to Mutlu, “From a writing standpoint, having that multicultural background from a young age fuels your creativity in a different way. It makes you empathize with things differently than you would have.”
His local success led to a recording deal with Manhattan/EMI Records, which released his acclaimed 2008 debut album, “Livin’ It,” which was produced by the late, great T-Bone Wolk, and featuring guest appearances by Daryl Hall, Amos Lee, G. Love and Raheem DeVaughn.
Mutlu has already made substantial headway with his high-caliber soulful sound. He has collaborated and toured extensively as a support act with legendary duo Daryl Hall & John Oates.
He also holds the distinction of having made the most guest appearances on Daryl Hall’s acclaimed, award-winning TV show “Live From Daryl’s House.”
“I toured a lot with Hall & Oates from 2009-2015 as the opening act,” said Mutlu. “I was one of the first guests at Daryl’s House.”
Mutlu has toured as a support act and longtime collaborator with noted singer/songwriter Amos Lee, and has shared stages with Adele, John Hiatt, Leon Russell, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Todd Rundgren, Shuggie Otis and many more. He also was the support act on the North American leg of Joe Jackson’s acclaimed “Rain” tour.
Mutlu’s latest release is a seven-song collection called “Good Trouble.” Mutlu co-produced the record with songwriter/producer Darius Amendolia.
Additionally, “Good Trouble” was mixed and mastered by Grammy winning producer/engineer Phil Nicolo at Studio 4 Recording in Conshohocken.
“We released ‘Good Trouble,’ in 2019 and then it got stopped in its tracks because of the pandemic,” said Mutlu. “This was supposed to be the Good Trouble Spring 2020 tour, but it never got started.
“I started a podcast with Spike Eskin about a year ago. It’s called the ‘Carl Landry Record Club.’”
On its website, the ‘Carl Landry Music Club’ is described as, “Spike Eskin and Mutlu discover great music, discover your great music, and talk to great musicians.”
Mutlu has been staying busy.
“I’ve been writing and stockpiling new material,” said Mutlu. “I’m getting close to a point where I can conceptualize an album. I just wrote one song with my partner Delia Amendolia.”
Mutlu has a family vibe going with the Amendolia clan.
“I did my last three records – ‘Good Trouble,’ ‘Hypnotize, and ‘Caffeine & Whiskey’ – in Florida with Darius Amendolia,” said Mutlu. “We recorded them at his Sweetbriar Studio in Orlando.”
In Türkiye, the word, “Mutlu,” is an adjective that means happy, delighted, blissful, contented, rejoicing, blithe and elated. It pretty much describes the feelings that his music brings to listeners.
Video link for Mutlu – https://youtu.be/yoEnsqv1ccI?si=1X-DUdMq9AvzGC9l.
The show in Bryn Mawr, which also features Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, will start at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $19.
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) will have three grungy indie rock bands from Newark, Delaware — Splitting Vision, Lowball and Idly on July 31 and “THE ELVIS JACKSON ATTRACTION: Tribute to Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson” as a “Rooftop Concert” on August 1
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) is presenting “Legally Blonde The Musical” now through August 1.
On July 31, Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) will host Hymn for Her while Bees Deluxe will be the headliner on August 1.
“Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam” will feature the Philly Blues Kings with Clarence Spady with a set from noon-1 p.m. Then, the weekly “Jamey’s Pajama Jam” will run from 1-3 p.m.
Popa Chubby, who is still in a wheelchair from back problems, is coming back again for a return date at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) on July 31.
The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, www.ardmoremusic.com) presents Splintered Sunlight: Grateful Dead Tribute on July 31.
118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com) hosts Almost There (Alt Rock Covers) on July 31.
