Arts & Entertainment

Encore 2024 Gala

Celebrate Mardi Gras in November at International City Theatre’s Encore 2024 on Nov. 14.

Wear your Mardi Gras mask (or pick one up there) and play Mardi Gras Bingo at ICT’s annual black tie fund raising extravaganza. The evening will include a gourmet dinner and a live auction. Senator Lena Gonzalez, A. Stephanie Loftin, Esq. and Wendy Chang, director of the Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, will each be presented with ICT’s James Ackerman Crystal Arts and Humanitarian Award in honor of their significant contributions to arts, culture and education in Long Beach.

Special awards for outstanding contributions to theater will be presented to playwrights Wendy Graf (Closely Related Keys, Exit Wounds) and Luke Yankee (Marilyn, Mom & Me).

Co-chairing the event are Harbor Commissioner Sharon Weissman and Jack Cunningham, district director for Congressman Robert Garcia. Presenting sponsors include The Ackerman Family/Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund and the Port of Long Beach. Other sponsors are Reba Birmingham, the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau/ASM Global and the Temple Family Charitable Foundation.

All proceeds from the event will benefit International City Theatre’s productions and education programs, including a free Saturday Family Theatre Series, Senior Outreach, Summer Youth Conservatory, Performing Arts & Classroom Teaching (PACT), Student to Stage and Internship Program.

Encore 2024: Mardi Gras in November takes place in the Pacific Ballroom of the Long Beach Arena. Tickets range from $220 to $250.00, of which a portion is tax-deductible. For reservations, call (562) 436-4610 or go to www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

Ain’t Misbehavin’

Musical Theatre West (MTW) recently kicked off an unforgettable opening weekend for “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” as the red carpet opening night drew standing ovations and rave reviews. The five-member cast delivered show-stopping performances filled with raunchy fun, keeping the audience clapping, singing along and tapping their feet from start to finish.

Directed and choreographed by Paul David Bryant, with musical direction by William Foster McDaniel, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” transported audiences back to the jazz clubs of 1920s and 1930s New York. Featuring some of Waller’s most beloved hits, including “Honeysuckle Rose” and “The Joint is Jumpin’,” the show offered a vibrant glimpse into the exuberant world of the Harlem Renaissance, blending joy, struggle and complexity through its captivating music.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with how “Ain’t Misbehavin’” has been received. The energy, the humor and the talent on that stage are truly remarkable,” shared Paul Garman, executive director of Musical Theatre West. “It’s a perfect way to close out our 2024 season and we’re excited to see how the rest of the run will continue to inspire and entertain.”

The stage was transformed into a lively cabaret, complete with the orchestra band on stage and William Foster McDaniel at a newly restored 1889 Steinway upright piano, effortlessly interacting with the cast throughout the entire show. The vocal talents of the cast shone throughout the weekend, with standout performances from Amber Liekhus, whose powerful vocal chops had the audience in awe, and Eric B. Anthony, whose big personality and captivating stage presence stole the spotlight.

The entire cast delivered an energetic and dynamic performance, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Marty Austin Lamar kept audiences singing along, Fredericka Meek’s voice melted hearts, while Chante Carmel brought down the house with her vocal and dance skills.

From powerful solo performances to soulful duets and electrifying group numbers, every song had the audience captivated and left them wanting more, showcasing the pure musical talent at the heart of the show.

Beyond its music and spectacle, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is a tribute to the legacy of the Black artists who shaped the Harlem Renaissance. Every note sung and played on stage honors their contributions to the world of music and culture, while extending their legacy to future generations. The show’s energy was amplified by its raunchy, sensual fun, as the cast embraced the spirit of the jazz era, effortlessly blending humor with sultry, playful performances that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.

The cast, many of whom are seasoned performers in the Los Angeles theatre scene, brings passion and dedication to each performance, ensuring the show resonates with both longtime fans of Waller’s music and new audiences alike. The combination of their musical prowess and chemistry delivers a show that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Musical Theatre West’s production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” will premiere at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on select dates through Nov. 3. Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at (562) 856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to show time, with a valid student ID.

More information, a full line-up of performances and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.