Milwaukee Rep Stages 'Ain't Misbehavin' The Fats Waller Musical Show'

The production features a talented cast performing the music of legendary jazz composer Fats Waller.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Milwaukee Repertory Theater is staging a production of "Ain't Misbehavin' The Fats Waller Musical Show," a celebration of the music of legendary jazz composer and pianist Fats Waller. The show features a talented cast of performers bringing Waller's iconic songs to life through energetic song and dance numbers.

Why it matters

Fats Waller was a pioneering figure in the Harlem Renaissance and his music helped define the jazz sound of the 1920s and 1930s. This production allows Milwaukee audiences to experience Waller's timeless compositions performed live on stage.

The details

The Milwaukee Rep's production of "Ain't Misbehavin'" features a cast of six performers - Jarran V. Muse, Rae Davenport, Katherine Alexis Thomas, Brad Raymond, Amahri Edwards-Jones, and William Foster McDaniel. The show includes classic Waller tunes like "Honeysuckle Rose," "This Joint is Jumpin'," and the title track "Ain't Misbehavin'" performed through a mix of song, dance, and comedy.

  • The Milwaukee Repertory Theater production of "Ain't Misbehavin' The Fats Waller Musical Show" opened on March 1, 2026.
  • The show is scheduled to run through April 15, 2026.

The players

Milwaukee Repertory Theater

A regional theater company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that produces a variety of plays, musicals, and other live performances for local audiences.

Fats Waller

An influential American jazz composer, pianist, and singer who was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s, known for his innovative stride piano style and hit songs like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose."

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What they’re saying

“Fats Waller's music is the perfect blend of infectious rhythm, clever lyrics, and sheer joy. This production really captures the spirit of his work.”

— Jarran V. Muse, Cast Member (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

What’s next

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater plans to take the production of "Ain't Misbehavin' The Fats Waller Musical Show" on tour to other regional theaters across the Midwest later in 2026.

The takeaway

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater's staging of "Ain't Misbehavin' The Fats Waller Musical Show" allows audiences to experience the infectious, joyful music of a true jazz legend, keeping Fats Waller's legacy alive for a new generation of theater-goers.