'Ain't Misbehavin'' at Lied April 18 features 'Idol' winner Studdard

In its 30th anniversary year, "Ain't Misbehavin'," starring "American Idol's" Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis, will make its debut at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Lied Center for Performing Arts at 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 18. The outrageous comic and musical soul of 1930s Harlem lives on in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway's best.

Sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry, with moments of devastating beauty, "Ain't Misbehavin'" brings to life the work of legendary pianist and composer Fats Waller. The Tony Award-winning show's exuberance, musical wit, pure energy, 30 show-stopping numbers, and a smoking-hot band live on stage recreate Waller's magic and the unforgettable atmosphere of 1930s Harlem. Called "a struttin', stompin', high-hattin' smash" by Time Magazine and "a funny, devastating...heart-stopping show," by The New York Times, "Ain't Misbehavin'" continues to delight audiences across the country.

In addition to winning "American Idol" in 2003, Grammy nominee Studdard has released two albums: "Soulful," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and "I Need an Angel" that entered at No. 1 on the Gospel charts. He released his third album, "The Return," in 2006. Davis, audience favorite and 2003 "Idol" finalist, is also well known for her nearly four-year run on Broadway's "Rent," and is working on a debut album.

Tickets for this performance are $55, $50 and $45 and may be purchased online at www.liedcenter.org. UNL students with a valid ID, as well as youths age 18 and younger, may purchase tickets for half price. Call the Lied Ticket Office at (402) 472-4747 or (800) 432-3231 for ticket availability. Regular ticket office hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. The Lied Center is at 301 N. 12th St. on the UNL campus.

As part of the Lied Center's ongoing education programming, a pre-performance talk will be held in the Lied's Steinhart Room 30 minutes prior to curtain. The pre-talk speaker for the 2 p.m. matinee will be Bob Rook, artistic director of TADA Productions. The speaker for the 7:30 performance will be Alisa Belflower, coordinator of musical theatre studies at the UNL School of Music.

This presentation is made possible in part with support from Union Bank and Trust Co. The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported the programs of this organization through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Lied Center programming is supported by Friends of Lied and grants from Association of Performing Arts Presenters; National Endowment for the Arts; Mid-America Arts Alliance; Nebraska Arts Council; New England Foundation for the Arts; and Lincoln Arts Council. All events in the Lied Center are made possible entirely or in part by the Lied Performance Fund, established in memory of Ernst F. Lied and his parents, Ernst M. and Ida K. Lied.

For more information about "Ain't Misbehavin'," visit http://aintmisbehavinontour.com.