Spreadin’ rythm around
Aja Gianola-Norris has been involved with nearly 100 musical productions, directing over 60 of them, but Ain’t Misbehavin’, which opens September 9 in Sonoma, “is my bucket list show. It’s the most me.”
The musical is a revue, a tribute to the music of Fats Waller. The exuberant Waller – a stride-style, swing piano player with a wicked sense of humor – was a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance of 1920s and 1930s.
Though upbeat and fun as it revisits that nightclub and dance-hall scene, the show is an important piece of Afro-centric musical theater, says Gianola-Norris. She directs the show and is one of the five black performers. “It’s meaningful. Black culture matters, black theater matters.”
Sonoma Arts Live Musical Director Jaime Love said the company is excited to share the music and history of this era on the SAL stage. “I made a promise to myself during the lockdown and the Black Lives Matter protests across the country to do all I could to bring more diversity to SAL. When I had the good fortune to meet Aja, she suggested this show and we leapt at the opportunity.”
Waller’s music ranges from sweet to raucous, funny to raunchy. There’s feeling and energy, and great musicianship. “There’s a real diversity of joy in the African American Experience,” Gianola-Norris says.
She is joined in the cast by Serena Elize Flores, D’Artagnan Riviera, Jonathen Blue, and Philp Percy Williams. They are not so much playing characters as bringing their own voice and style to the music. Gianola-Norris says it was reassuring to cast people she was familiar with, but the show evolved during rehearsals. Some actors started out singing some tunes, but switched to others during the process.
Different songs would draw out amazing aspects and different interpretations, and a change was made. “You can’t just roll in with everything charted.”
By opening night, the troupe will have rehearsed for 12 solid weeks, five nights a week. And that’s after a day job. There was all-new choreography to be learned, and the songs, of course. Somewhere in the process, the chemistry appears and the show “blossoms,” Gianola-Norris says.
“It’s a lot of work. But we love it.”
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – A Fats Waller Musical Show. Neil Fontano, musical director. September 9-25, Thursday-Saturday evening; Sunday matinee. Rotary Stage at the Sonoma Community Center, 27 E. Napa St. $25-$42. Sonomartslive.org. 707.484.4874.
PRODUCTION PHOTOS BY MILLER OBERLIN
