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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > November > 19 > Entry
11/19: It’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” with Frenchie Davis, Ruben Studdard & Trenyce
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ABOVE: Frenchie Davis with Tarn Harris, a reporter at the Atlanta Daily World.
At Fox Theatre last night, I caught opening night of the national tour of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ,” which was a popular musical revue on Broadway 30 years ago starring Nell Carter.
Since there is no plotline, this musical relies on, well, the music and the performers. And the three “Idol” alums aquit themselves well. We have to give Ruben Studdard a bit of a learning curve break since this is the first time he’s ever done anything like this. His voice, of course, is incredible. His dance steps? He isn’t going to win “Dancing With the Stars” but he doesn’t trip over himself either. His charm? Always there and then some, especially when he gives the audience that impish grin. His best work came in the second half, especially with the jokey tune “Your Feet’s Too Big.”
Trenyce from season two was excellent, showing great vocal restraint at times and solid dance steps.
But we have to reserve special kudos to Frenchie Davis. She really could have given Ruben a run for his money if she had stayed on “Idol” season two. Four years of “Rent” helped, too. She is a commanding presence on stage with her voice cutting deep inside. Her duet with Ruben on “Honeysuckle Rose” was hot, as was her sexy “Find Out What They Like.”
My colleague and theater critic Wendell Brock, who has seen a many “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” productions in the past was less impressed. Here’s his review.
Although there are some awfully good singers here, there doesn’t seem to be strong sense of ensemble — or many barn-burning breakout numbers, for that matter. So for most of opening night’s first act, actors wandered onstage and did lukewarm dance steps while every klutzy crash or bit of robust breathing was amplified by their microphones.
I stopped by the after-show cast party at the Georgian Terrace. Here are a few photos I snapped:
ABOVE: Trenyce with Ruben and his understudy Seth Diggs.
ABOVE: Me with Ruben.
Tracey Hardy, daughter of Nell Carter, with Trenyce.
There, I met Tracey Hardy, daughter of the late great Nell Carter who lives in Atlanta. She said the show brought back memories of her watching her mom as a child backstage. And she was deeply impressed with Davis. “I really believe my mom would have enjoyed that — though she probably would have wanted to jump on stage!” She also loved Ruben’s rendition of “Fat and Greasy.
Ruben with his Atlanta-based manager Cedric Evans.
Ruben greets Billie Allen Henderson, whose husband was the original music arranger for “Ain’t Misbehavin’ “
Billie Henderson, the widow of the man who was musical director and arranger for the first “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” flew in from New York to check it out and she left very happy. “It was marvelous, such a joy and pleasure,” she said. “It was fresh but also brought back the old values, the subtext with this wonderful cast.”
Richard Maltby, the director who directed the play on Broadway 30 years ago, said “Ruben is sensational. Every performance, he grows. He’s just beginning to find himself. At the first rehearsal, he said he wasn’t sure he could do this. But watching him, I know he can.” Maltby said when he saw Ruben in 2003 on “Idol,” he thought about doing a revival centered around Ruben. It just took five years to come to fruition! He also got “Idol” vocal c oach Debra Byrd to help out.
Frenchie said she just wanted “to do Nell Carter justice.” She was also happy to work with Ruben, noting “he’s not just the teddy bear you think he is.” She noted, “his dressing room is next to mine and there’s nothing but laughter coming from there.”
Comments
By Deirdre
November 19, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the review, Rodney!
I’m not surprised that Frenchie impressed you. That girl can hit the back wall with her voice. And she obviously has a good deal of experience.
I’m relieved to hear that Ruben did well. He’s such a sweetheart!
And good for Trenyce as well.
Looking forward to the pictures.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 19, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
morning blogsters, mushbloggians and lurkers! cooooooold morning brrrrr! thanks Rodney for the report. Nice to see the kids doing so well.
By abbysee
November 19, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
So glad to see that Ruben, Trenyce, and Frenchie did not disappoint. I can’t wait to see this play at the end of the month!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 19, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
morning abbysee! i’m so envious of you… i just cannot get to atlanta it seems (well after driving from athens and back every day for so many years, i just find it hard to make myself do it for fun, LOL!)
welcome welcome … haven’t we seen you once in a while in the past? your name seems familiar… at any rate, we’ll want a full review from you when you go!!!
By Deirdre
November 19, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Not to put any pressure on you, abbysee but we’ll all be looking forward to hearing your opinion of the show.
By harrietth
November 19, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
How long will the show be there? Does anyone know?
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 19, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Nov 18-23, harrietth, so not very long, unfortunately!
By harrietth
November 19, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Thanks, linny. That lets me out. Wish I could see it, though.
By Nana
November 19, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
I would love to see it, just because of Ruben. Although I will have to give credit where credit is due and say that both Frenchie and Trenyce are just as good, esp Frenchie. I liked her on Idol and still do. I hope the show gets great reviews. It would take some doings to be as good as Nell Carter was. She was simply one of a kind. Kudos to all involved.
Thanks D for letting me know who got the boot last night. I’m not suprised at all, even though I hate to see Julianne leave. She is awsome. Falling asleep watching TV is a rarity for me. You can probably count on one hand the number of times in this year that I have done it. After driving 659 miles a week to work and back for a month now, I just may do it more often.
linny has is your Dad?
By Deirdre
November 19, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
I just watched Kat McPhee, with David Foster accompanying, sing Somewhere from West Side Story on The View. She did a good job and seems to have completely conquered the screech factor with her higher notes.
By Nana
November 19, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
linny on my last post I meant to ask “How is your Dad” and not what came out. Sorry………musta had a senior moment there.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 19, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
hooray for senior moments, Nana!!!
Update: My sisters and brother in law got Dad into bed the night he fell; he woke up with his legs feeling fine (he denies they weren’t but… sigh); however he’d evidently bruised his ribs when he fell (i believe he did not fall all the way to the floor, but his back actually hit the edge of the sofa or something) … anyway, his ribs are really bruised, but otherwise he seems fine (my sis made him go to the emergency room because of the back/rib pain). He swears his legs did not give out, that he tripped over the coverlet that he had over him laying on the sofa when he tried to stand up and walk. but frankly at 80+, there’s no telling.
At any rate, he is fine for now, and all of your prayers are so much appreciated.
By Nana
November 19, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Glad that your Dad is okay. At that age, falling is pretty common. I know that first hand with dealing with my dad and all his falls. I just hope to live as long as he has so far (93 and counting). God bless our parents. Deirdre, how is you Mom?
By Nana
November 19, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Well my day at the office is winding down and I’m about ready to bolt from here. Ya’ll have a great evening, be safe, be happy, laugh alot, enjoy your loved ones and always be careful.
Catch ya later………………Bye
By Deirdre
November 19, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Sorry…I was off visiting mom. she’s having a good day…thanks for asking. Glad to hear your dad is ok, linny.
Hubby and his bro have been off hunting for the last 2 days. I’ve been watching 3 does in my front yard since they left. :-)
By harrietth
November 19, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
They must know the men with guns have left, D! LOL!
Yes, linny, so glad your dad is doing ok.
By harrietth
November 19, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Gone for the day. Hope you all have a good evening/night. Talk tomorrow.
By Nana
November 20, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this
Good Morning to all. Hope you had a very nice evening and are ready to start your day.
By Deirdre
November 20, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this
Morning!
Hugh Jackman has been named the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. While I acknowledge the innate sexiness of Mr Jackman…I still vote for George Clooney. Now, I realize that he has held the title many times but, I ask you, what has changed since the last time?
So, for a theme today, I think it’s time that we list our picks for the sexiest man alive. To our beloved men on this blog…feel free to change that to “woman” and, for kf…why don’t you pick both since I know you have an appreciation for the competition as well.
I’ll start(you knew I would)Along with George, I breathe a little heavier when I see Brad, Ben Affleck(I’m particularly found of his shoulders) Denzel has always made my heart beat a little faster, and there are more. Don’t worry, you’ll hear about them before the end of the day.
By harrietth
November 20, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Good morning everyone. D, my trouble with making a list is that I have always loved older men. Now that I am older myself, my choices have significantly dwindled. LOL! I will try to come up with some more contemporary ones. I can appreciate beauty in men of any age, but the ones I find truly sexy are not-so-young. Stay tuned. This might be fun!
By Lara
November 20, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Good morning blogsters! Sorry I missed “JOKE DAY”, but I was out of the office yesterday - a little outpatient surgery…I am ok, just uncomfortable and the stitches itch a bit…but I digress.
Thanks for the review, Rodney. Sounds like you enjoyed the show and getting to hang out afterwards. Man, Nell’s daughter looks just like her!!!
As for a list of who I think is sexy…well, there aren’t a lot of “famous men” who are really all that….Clooney doesn’t do anything for me.
Anyone here read the Twilight books? I already have my tickets to a showing of the movie tomorrow. I am taking my niece!!!
By harrietth
November 20, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Lara, I have not read the books, but, boy, are they popular with students here at the University. I saw the trailer for the movie, and it looked interesting.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 20, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Strangely enough, i’ve not even heard of the books until the movie was being made, and as much as i read, i’ve not read a one yet… although i do enjoy some of the vampire series (laurel hamilton’s for one, and … it’s been a while but i think another author is someone…Feeney, maybe, with a neat twist to the vampire line…) in addition of course to the Rice books, which for some reason i’ve never been able to get all together to read… let us know Lara how the movie is…
oh. yes. good morning blogsters!
LOL
sorry….i’m a little slow on the uptake today…
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 20, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Ewwwwwww!!! I just went and looked at the list of the “sexy” men (ajc has some pictures in a survey) … and frankly, not many of them are “sexy” to me … some of them i find downright UNsexy — not even CUTE! and tho’ i generally tend to like older men also, the “sexiest” one on that list is that zac kid. i think daniel craig is just cold looking, do not understand why ANYone thinks phelps is “sexy” … hugh jackman IS attractive but… not all THAT!!!
don’t we have any modern day Sean Connery-types? Robert Redfords?
sigh yes i KNOW it makes me look like an old fuddy-duddy…. i don’t care, most of these men just look a little grungy… but sexy, um, not to me!!!
By Nana
November 20, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
My vote for sexist man alive would have to be, umm, oh gee, let me think about it a bit when I’m not having senior blockages. I’m with harrieth on the age. Maybe I can name two, one in the younger generation and one in my generation.
Lara - Glad that you are doing okay and are back to posting today. We had no jokes yesterday so you didn’t miss any. Now, of course we missed yours.
By harrietth
November 20, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Two of the younger ones I can think of, and whom I consider to be sexy are Jake Gyllenhaal and Patrick Dempsey.
By Deirdre
November 20, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
OH!!! harrietth…I forgot about Jake Gyllenhaal! If I was only 10 years younger….I’d be old enough to be his mother! :-)
By harrietth
November 20, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Me, too, D! That’s what I meant earlier! LOL! But he was here in Columbia over the summer filming and I saw him twice—once after he was returning from a work-out(all pumped and hot and sweaty) and another time when he was leaving his hotel. We had a conference going on at the Hilton at the same time. He is definitely the real deal and cuter in person, if you can believe that! As you said, though…
By GAgirl
November 20, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hi All, Couldn’t resist chiming in on the “sexiest” man topic. I think Jackman was a good choice. Not so with several others on the list. Agree with harrietth on Jake and Patrick. Also Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp would be on my list. But the one that gets my temperature rising is Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Denny on Grey’s Anatomy). Now that guy is sexy!!!! Yummy!!!!
By harrietth
November 20, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Matthew Fox? Has anyone else noticed the resemblance between him and Jeff Francour? Or am I crazy?