Stairway to Harlem

Thursday Feb. 5

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CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this article implied that Alvin Holloway built the set. The set was constructed by Bob Nees, Holloway is the scenographer.  

At his peak in the 1920s, Fats Waller was so popular that Al Capone arranged to have him kidnapped and he was forced to perform at gunpoint for Capone’s birthday celebration. (Waller emerged safely from the party three days later, flush with cash from the well-tipping gangsters.)

Thomas “Fats” Waller was one of the early 20th century’s most prolific composers and penned of some of the era’s most popular songs. A skilled musician, his virtuosic piano playing led one contemporary to describe him as a “black Horowitz.” Waller was also an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance, when black artists and authors worked to establish a refined black culture in the aftermath of slavery.

Riverwalk Theatre evoke 1930s Harlem this weekend as they present “Ain’t Misbehavin',” a musical revue based on the life and music of Waller.

Along with the captivating music, this production will give audiences a glimpse into this historic era in black culture.

“It’s important to us (at Riverwalk Theatre) to give audiences opportunities to see different genres of music and types of cultures,” explains director Hope Rollins.

Waller’s ebullient playing style and songwriting savvy earned him popularity across racial lines.

“He provided joy to people because he was so passionate about his music,” says Rollins.

Bringing “Ain’t Misbehavin’” to the Riverwalk Theatre is something Rollins has wanted to do for a long time.

“I jotted down a vision for the show two or three years ago,” she says.

This vision, which included a set built around a grand spiral staircase, is brought to life in this production with the help of Alvin Holloway, the show’s scenographer, and Bob Nees, the set builder. The duo created a majestic staircase that dissolves into piano key walkways painted on the stage. Music notes dapple the set.

“Just looking at the set, it’s magnificent,” says Rollins. “There’s music on stage before you even hear a note.”

The music will be provided by a live, six-piece band under the capable leadership of James Geer. Geer doubles as piano player for the production, giving him the considerable task of imitating Waller’s distinctive “Harlem stride” style of piano playing.

Rollins has also beefed up the cast, expanding from the usual five cast members to eight.

“We try to engage as many talented people as possible,” says Rollins.

The expanded cast is beneficial for the actors, as the workload is divided among the larger group.

“All of the singers also dance in this production, and it can be very taxing on our performers,” explains Rollins. “These are people with days jobs, they’re not used to singing and dancing all day.”

Earlier this month, one of the lead singers fell ill and the rest of the cast was able to fill in the gaps in rehearsals.

“The other singers have been covering for him while he recovers,” says Rollins. “I’m proud of how they carried on without missing a beat.”

This celebration of music and culture comes at an appropriate time for the Riverwalk Theatre; the company was just awarded two substantial grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. A technology improvement grant of $16,250 will allow the group to upgrade its sound and lighting systems, and a $18,750 operational support grant will go towards publicity and administration costs.

For Rollins, "Ain't Misbehavin'" is a great chance for audiences to learn about a musician who broke down racial barriers.

“This is a great chance for us to unify around the music.”

—TY FORQUER

“Ain’t Misbehavin’”

7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday Feb. 7; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8; 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12; 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday Feb. 14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 $22/$19 seniors and students Riverwalk Theatre 228 Museum Drive, Lansing (517) 482-5700, www.riverwalktheatre.com


THURSDAY, FEB. 5-8 >> FUN ON THE ROCKS WINTERFEST

Grand Ledge’s Fun on the Rocks Winterfest will keep you busy all weekend with various events for the whole family. The Grand Ledge Voice singing competition kicks off the event on Thursday and features singers from age 8 to 18 competing for cash prizes. The Mad Dog Chili Cook-Off and Craft Beer Tasting is in store for Friday night, offering all-you-can-eat chili for $10 and craft beer tasting for $15, or both for $20. All proceeds go toward the Grand Ledge Masonic scholarship fund. In case you didn’t stuff yourself with chili the night before, an all-you-can-eat “flying pancake” breakfast will be served on Saturday morning at the Opera House. After breakfast, you can enter a cardboard sled race at the Boy Scout building and win prizes for the fastest sled and best decorated sled. For full event details, visit grandledgechamber.com/winter.

SUNDAY, FEB. 8 >> LANSING SPARTAN YOUTH ORGANIZATION BOWLING FUNDRAISER

Don’t be a turkey! Strike out childhood obesity by supporting the Lansing Spartan Youth Organization (LSYO) bowling fundraiser. Get two slices of pizza, pop, bowling shoe rental and unlimited bowling for $15. Proceeds will go toward LSYO’s youth fitness, nutrition and weight-loss programs. The deadline to register for the event is Friday, Feb. 6. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $15. Spare Time Entertainment Center, 3101 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 894-8429, lsyo@lsyo.org.

SUNDAY, FEB. 8 >> DARWIN DISCOVERY DAY

The eleventh annual Darwin Discovery Day crawls back to the MSU Museum for an afternoon full of scientific fun. This year’s theme is “Teeth, Horns, Claws, Thorns: Nature’s Weapons.” Have you ever wanted to touch a tarantula? The MSU Bug House will provide an eight-legged creepy crawly you can touch, if you’re brave enough. Slither around with a snake from the MSU Herpetology Club, become a junior scientist, tour the museum’s Hall of Evolution and Habitat Hall and, most fun of all, eat a piece of cake for Charles Darwin’s 206th birthday. 1-5 p.m. FREE. MSU Museum, 409 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing. museum.msu.edu.

FRIDAY, FEB. 6-7 & FEB. 13-14 >> ‘THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS” AT ALL-OF-US- EXPRESS CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The inimitable Mr. Toad and all his furry friends come to life in All-Of-Us Express Children’s Theatre’s production of Kenneth Graham’s “The Wind in the Willows.” In this loose adaptation of Graham’s seminal book, Mr. Toad has an intense passion for motorcars but lacks the skill to drive well, a combination that eventually lands him in jail. While Mr. Toad is incarcerated, the dastardly weasels appropriate his elegant mansion. The events culminate in an epic struggle to not only to save Mr. Toad’s home, but also to save Mr. Toad from himself. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. $7/$5 ages 17 and under. Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 319-6957. allofusexpress.org.

SUNDAY, FEB. 8 >> #LOVELANSING PARTY

The Green Door Bar & Grill will be filled with local art and music as JiveOne5even hosts the first ever #LoveLansing Party. You’ll be crossing your fingers hoping that you score great prizes from a silent auction featuring local products and services. Bid on cool art pieces created the day of the event by live artists while you listen to a variety of music from bands, including Scratch Pilots, Mix Pack, Lansing’s Cool District and Understanding SOUL. Topping the night off will be a fun-filled comedy show. Proceeds from the event will help keep art in Lansing Public Schools’ elementary programs. 2 p.m. $10. Green Door Blues Bar & Grill, 2005 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. greendoorlive.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11-12 >> ‘A LIFE IN THE THEATRE’ AT WHARTON

Theater PREVIEW Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre is bringing the cynical and street-edged dialogue style known as “Mamet speak” to Wharton Center with David Mamet’s “A Life in the Theatre.” The play, featuring two actors at opposite points in their career, takes you through all the ins and outs of the theater business as the two battle for the spotlight. Based on Mamet’s own experiences working in theater, the narrative provides a comedic, behind-the-scenes look into the complexities of passing the torch from one generation to the next. 7:30 p.m. Wed-Thu. $40. Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. 1-800-WHARTON, whartoncenter.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11-12 >> SHEN YUN

You’ve seen the posters on nearly every storefront and bulletin board for the past six months and now it’s finally here. The unique musical performers and classically trained dancers of the traveling Shen Yun company bring their eclectic stage show to Wharton Center. The performance boasts a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture, featuring classical Chinese dance, live music performed by an “east-meets-west” style orchestra and lavish production values. The traveling performance troupe formed in 2006 with a goal of reviving, preserving and sharing the forgotten aspects of China’s ancient culture. 7:30 p.m. Wed-Thu. Tickets starting at $50. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (877) 328-7469, shenyun.com.

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