The late jazz pianist, organist, and composer Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller’s music will return to the forefront. This spring, the Tony Award-winning 1978 Fats Waller revue, Ain’t Misbehavin’, will be revived by the Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT) in partnership with Fig Street Films.
Award-winning entertainers Ledisi (Grammy Awards and Soul Train Music Awards) and Chester Gregory (Joseph Jefferson Award, NAACP Theatre Award, Black Theatre Alliance Award) have been announced as the Wren T. Brown-directed production’s leads.
Beginning on May 21, the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California, will serve as the home for Ain’t Misbehavin’. Previews for Ain’t Misbehavin’ will be held on May 21 and May 22. The production officially opens on May 23 and runs until June 8.
In a statement shared with Playbill, director Wren T. Brown gushed about the upcoming production.
“I cannot be more excited than to announce the casting of the majestic Grammy Award-winning artist, Ledisi, and the electric Broadway stalwart, Chester Gregory,” said Brown. “This coming together represents a special reunion for us.”
Brown continued, “In 2009, when Ledisi first took the stage for Ebony Repertory Theatre in Soul of Rodgers, I was completely staggered by her stage presence and her singing brilliance. In 2014, when Chester Gregory, as Jackie Wilson, played before standing-room-only audiences for ERT, I was absolutely knocked out by his thrilling, full-bodied performance. After each of their performances, I knew, without question, that I wanted to work with both of them again.”
For Brown and Ledisi, that opportunity arrived in 2022 on the film Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story.
“We had so much fun,” said Brown, reflecting on the time on set.
For Brown and Chester Gregory, that time arrived in December 2025 as part of the Ebony Repertory Theatre’s holiday concert.
A Night of Joy: Chester Gregory and Friends was headlined by Gregory, with Ledisi appearing as a special guest.
“My desire to work with them was sealed [at ‘A Night of Joy’],” said Brown. “The chemistry and the artistic and personal respect they shared on our stage were magnificent and rare to see. My thinking cap went on, conversations were had, and here we are, preparing to celebrate the genius of Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller, with the Best Musical Tony Award-winning show ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’.'”
The Fats Waller Musical Show: Ain’t Misbehavin’ is directed by Wren T. Brown. Ain’t Misbehavin’ was created, conceived, and originally directed by Richard Maltby Jr. and Murray Horwitz.
The Fats Waller Musical Show: Ain’t Misbehavin’ will be presented by the Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, located at 4718 W Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. The production preview will be held on May 21, 2026, and May 22, 2026. The production will open officially on May 23, 2026, and run until June 8, 2026. Tickets range from $45.00 to $65. To purchase tickets, click here. Continue below to view the confirmed performance schedule and promotional poster for Ain’t Misbehavin’.
The Fats Waller Musical Show: Ain’t Misbehavin’ Performance Schedule
05/21/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.]
05/22/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.]05/23/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.] sold out
05/24/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [2 p.m.]
05/24/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [7:30 p.m.]
05/28/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.]
05/29/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.]
05/30/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [2 p.m.]
05/30/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [7:30 p.m.]
05/31/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [2 p.m.]
05/31/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [7:30 p.m.]
06/03/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.]
06/04/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.]
06/07/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [7:30 p.m.]
06/08/2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nate Holden Performing Arts Center [8 p.m.]
The Fats Waller Musical Show: Ain’t Misbehavin’ Performance Poster
