Los Angeles News
Ledisi, Chester Gregory Will Lead California Ain't Misbehavin'
The Fats Waller revue is coming to Los Angeles via Ebony Repertory Theatre.
March 03, 2026 By Logan Culwell-Block
Los Angeles' Ebony Repertory Theatre will mount a new production of the 1978 Fats Waller revue Ain't Misbehavin', with performances set to run May 21–June 8 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. Opening will be May 23.
Leading the cast will be Grammy winner Ledisi (Selma) and Chester Gregory (Hairspray). Additional casting is to be announced.
Featuring a book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., Ain't Misbehavin' premiered on Broadway in 1978, paying tribute to jazz pianist and songwriter Fats Waller with a song list including "Honeysuckle Rose," "Your Feet's Too Big," "Black and Blue," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "The Jitterbug Waltz," and the title song.
“I cannot be more excited than to announce the casting of the majestic Grammy Award-winning artist, Ledisi, and the electric Broadway stalwart, Chester Gregory,” says ERT founder and Producing Artistic Director Wren T. Brown in a statement. “This coming together represents a special reunion for us. In 2009, when Ledisi first took the stage for Ebony Repertory Theatre in Soul of Rodgers, I was completely staggered by her stage presence and her singing brilliance. In 2014, when Chester Gregory, as Jackie Wilson, played before standing-room-only audiences for ERT, I was absolutely knocked out by his thrilling full-bodied performance. After each of their performances, I knew, without question, that I wanted to work with both of them again. In 2022, we three were hired to work together on the film, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, starring Ledisi. We had so much fun. Then, in December of 2025, during Ebony Repertory Theatre's holiday concert, A Night of Joy: Chester Gregory and Friends, with special guest Ledisi, my desire to work with them was sealed. The chemistry and the artistic and personal respect they shared on our stage was magnificent and rare to see. My thinking cap went on, conversations were had, and here we are, preparing to celebrate the genius of Thomas 'Fats' Waller, with the Best Musical Tony Award-winning show Ain't Misbehavin’."
Tickets are at EbonyRep.org.
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Ledisi, Chester Gregory Will Lead California Ain't Misbehavin'
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