`AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' '; WALLER TRIBUTE COMES TO T.O.

Byline: Victoria Giraud Special to the Daily News

Music, music, music - sassy, snappy, toe-tappin'. That's about the best way to describe the very energetic, constantly entertaining ``Ain't Misbehavin' '' now on the boards at the Forum Theatre at the Civic Arts Plaza.

A rollicking musical revue both naughty and nice, the show is entirely based on the memorable, jazzy tunes of Thomas ``Fats'' Waller.

Harlem-born Waller, called Fats because of his 300-pound bulk, was one of the first African-American superstars in the 1920s and '30s. He was an RCA recording artist, had his own radio program and even made movies. Fats was known for his excesses in eating, drinking and womanizing, but with his incredible talent and enthusiasm managed to write 500 songs before he died at age 39 in 1943.

Five outstanding performers - Marvin Thornton, Lance Roberts, Pamela J. Ross, Victoria G. Platt and Lita Gaithers - sing, dance and strut their way through 22 of Waller's songs. Many of the songs are classic tunes that have been sung thousands of times by various singers: ``Ain't Misbehavin','' ``Honeysuckle Rose,'' ``Mean to Me,'' ``Keepin' Out of Mischief Now'' and ``This Joint Is Jumpin'.'' They are given a special spin by these accomplished singer-dancers.

Humor plays a vital part in Waller's songs, and this small cast with its very distinctive and individual personalities knows how to milk a laugh, especially with ``Your Feet's Too Big,'' ``Find Out What They Like'' and ``Fat and Greasy.'' And they know as well how to convey the serious side in ``Black and Blue,'' a poignant and haunting song about racial inequalities.

The stage set resembles a nightclub, probably in Harlem in the 1930s. A live band plays in the background: Matthew Nabours on trumpet, Alan Ferber on slide trombone, Leroy Speaks on bass, Debra Avery on clarinet, Rory Mizzela on tenor sax, Michael Packer on drums and Darryl Archibald on piano.

Out front the performers are dressed to the nines - the women in sequins, jewels and sometimes furs and the men in suits and spats. It all adds to the atmosphere, the gaiety and joy projected in this very special production, directed and choreographed by Cleo King.

It's easy to see why ``Ain't Misbehavin' '' won the Drama Critics Award and the Tony for best musical in 1978. It ran on Broadway for about four years. It's a classic, and one that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

THE FACTS

WHAT: ``Ain't Misbehavin','' conceived by Richard Maltby Jr.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Matinee on Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. performance Wednesday. Through March 1.

WHERE: Civic Arts Plaza, Forum Theatre.

COST: $22 to $28 per person.

INFORMATION: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1) ``Ain't Misbehavin' '' stars Lance Roberts, Pamela J. Ross, Victoria G. Platt, Lita Gaithers and Marvin Thornton in a rollicking presentation based on the inspired jazz of Fats Waller.

(2) Darryl Archibald, musical director and conductor of the show's six-piece band, tickles the ivories in the spirit of Waller.