Production brings Fats Waller’s jazz music to life

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 | 7:21 a.m.

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, with an additional performance at 2 p.m. Sundays; dark Mondays and Tuesdays

Where: Plaza Showroom

Rating (out of five stars): ****

"Ain't Misbehavin' " is a diamond in the rough, but a gem nonetheless.

The revue, featuring the music of jazz legend Fats Waller, debuted last week at the Plaza.

The production is rather large for such a small stage, forcing a curtailment of choreography that should otherwise be a highlight of the evening. With a cast of 17, the performers are cramped for space and must tone down their movements to avoid bumping into one another.

However, spatial issues aside, this production is one worth seeing - and hearing.

It's one of those shows that can be seen again and again without growing tiresome.

It opens with the classic "Ain't Misbehavin' " and closes more than 90 minutes later with a medley that includes "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "Two Sleepy People," "I've Got my Fingers Crossed," "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" and "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie."

In between are dozens of other Waller classics, including "Honeysuckle Rose," "Jitterbug Waltz" and "The Joint Is Jumpin'."

The cast includes A.J. Phillinganes in the role of Waller - a part he has performed off and on since 1987. Phillin-ganes also is the director.

Other performers include Neil Taffe, a backup singer for Gladys Knight.

Taffe is a standout in the show, making the most of such solos as "The Viper's Drag."

Lyrehc (pronounced Lyric) Jordan is almost Taffe's equal, alternating comedy with straight-forward Waller numbers.

Rounding out the leading characters are Nona Johnson and Sonya Randall, who have had years of performing experience in Las Vegas.

The talented singers bring Waller's music to life. They infuse the songs with so much enthusiasm that even newcomers to Waller and his music are infected by its rhythm.

Waller, who died of pneumonia in 1943 at age 39, was one of the most accomplished jazz pianists and composers of the first half of the 20th century.

He also was known for his humor, evidenced in such numbers as "Your Feet's Too Big" and "Fat and Greasy."

"Ain't Misbehavin' " is a collection of Waller music from around 1919 through the '30s and early '40s. There is no story line, simply one great song after another.

The set is simple: a couple of tables to represent a nightclub - or a speakeasy, which would be more appropriate for the era from which the music evolved.

The three-piece band features keyboardist Preston Hodge, bassist Scott Fonzo and drummers Derrick A and Kevin T. Paige (who alternate during the first and second acts of the show). Paige is the musical director.

Phillinganes says he decided to bring "Ain't Misbehavin' " to town to fill a void in the Las Vegas entertainment world.

"I haven't seen any popular black productions in town," he said.

"Ain't Misbehavin' " is one of the most popular of the black productions. It premiered on Broadway in 1978, leading to 1,604 performances.

The production is worthy of similar success in Las Vegas.

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