Cast brings audiences back to Harlem’s heyday in ‘Ain’t Misbehavin”

Given the fact that my second cousin, Richard Maltby Jr., directed it on Broadway and won a Tony for it, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” Wednesday at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The revue, based on Thomas “Fats” Waller songs, is part of this year’s Super Summer Theatre series and wraps up its three-week run with a show tonight and Saturday.

The lively production takes audiences back to the 1930s and ’40s, when Harlem was one of the nightlife capitals of the world, everyone dressed to the nines for a night on the town and Fats Waller’s songs provided a soundtrack for the era. Conceived by Maltby and Murray Horwitz, this toe-tappin’ revue won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1978, with Maltby picking up a Tony as best director.

From left, cast members Dominique Stewart, Rachale Marie and Buffie Lucas perform during a July 5 rehearsal for “Ain’t Misbehavin’ “ at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. (Duane Prokop/View)

At Spring Mountain Ranch park, just off state Highway 159 six miles beyond the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area loop road, a talented cast of five performers backed by a live orchestra uses Waller’s songs to remind audiences that the art of making relationships between men and women survive and thrive remains every bit as elusive today as it did three-quarters of a century ago.

Highlights of the show include soulful versions of “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Black and Blue,” as well as rollicking renditions of “Lounging at the Waldorf” and “Your Feets Too Big.” Another featured number is the show’s title song in which a handsome, well-dressed man intones the words, “Ain’t misbehavin’, I’m saving all my love for you,” but it seems entirely plausible to the listener that he might not be telling his girl the whole truth.

Attending a musical under the stars at Spring Mountain Ranch is a perfect way to get some relief from the suffocating midsummer heat and hectic pace of the Las Vegas Valley. You’ll find it’s about 10 degrees cooler out at Spring Mountain Ranch as you spread out a blanket on the meadow and prepare for the show to start when the sun falls over the horizon shortly after 8 p.m.

Gates to the park open at 5 p.m., and patrons are allowed to claim spots on the lawn as early at 6 p.m. It’s OK to bring folding or patio chairs and picnic baskets, but leave high-back chaise lounge chairs at home along with all pets. Tickets are $15 at the gate. Children 5 or younger are admitted free. Parking is free and easy.

If you can’t get out to the park to see the finale of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” this weekend, mark your calendar for Aug. 11-28, when Super Summer Theatre presents “Damn Yankees” at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Ticket prices are the same. To reserve seats, call 895-2787 or 256-5441, or visit supersummertheatre.com.