Tony Award-winning musical performer Melba Moore will bring her famous four octave voice to the intimate Prince Music Theater when their Holiday production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ takes to the stage on December 4th. Rounding out the headliners will be Broadway performers Eugene Fleming and Ken Prymus. The unique combination of these three performers brings an insight and thrill to a show that will light Philadelphia with the vocal power and punch it richly deserves. The smooth-toned, jazz-soaked musical that showcases the music of legendary American composer and piano player Thomas “Fats” Waller lit upon the Broadway scene in 1978 and quickly made stars of its performers, including the late Nell Carter. Conceived by Broadway director Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horowitz the show brought the Harlem Renaissance to Broadway with such hits as “T Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” and the sexy, double entendre ballad “Honeysuckle Rose.”

Thomas “Fats” Waller was born and raised in New York City’s Greenwich Village at a time when classical music was fusing with more heated modern rhythms to create tunes that enveloped a soulful elegance and a witty comic edge. This resulted in the “stride piano” style that Waller would take to new levels of complexity. His training began at the Abyssinian Baptist Church where he learned organ and piano which influenced his style and brought a greater depth of syncopation to his music. His untimely death in 1943 at the age of 39 left many unfinished works. His hundreds of recordings brought him great fame and took him on tours of the United States and Europe.

Melba Moore made her Broadway debut as Dionne in the original 1968 production of HAIR. She went on to replace Diane Keaton in the role of Sheila and became the first African-American performer on Broadway to replace a white performer. In 1970, she created the role of Lutiebelle in Purlie which would bring Ms. Moore a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She would recreate the role for television opposite Robert Guillaume, in 1981. She has continued to influence theatre and music earning Grammy nominations for her original music compositions and recordings. She has also performed as Fantine in the Broadway musical Les Miserables and recently played Matron Mama Morton in the National Tour of Chicago at Philadelphia’s Merriam Theatre.

Eugene Fleming will bring his talents to the production after having appeared on Broadway in shows that include the original production of A Chorus Line, the blues review Black and Blue, and most recently Never Gonna Dance. Ken Prymus, who appeared in the original and revival Broadway casts of Ain’t Misbehavin’, will bring his experience with the show to the Prince. Joining them, direct from Broadway’s Tarzan, will be Andrea Dora. Returning to the Prince is Philadelphia native Gabrielle Hurtt (PMT- Hair), and making her Prince debut will be Chanta Layton (Arden- Caroline, or Change)

Ain’t Misbehavin’ will be directed by Prince Music Theater’s Associate Artistic Director, Richard M. Parison, Jr. (last season’s Annie Get Your Gun, with Andrea McArdle, and the sold-out run of the “make love, not war” musical HAIR). The two-time Barrymore Award nominee also directed the Prince’s award winning production of Dreamgirls for its 2005-06 season.

Choreographing the production will be frequent Prince collaborator Mercedes Ellington. Last season she returned to choreograph PMT’s Annie Get Your Gun. Ms. Ellington also brings a deep personal connection to the piece. In 1923, her paternal grandfather, the legendary Edward “Duke” Ellington, was encouraged to move to New York from Washington, DC by none other than Thomas “Fats” Waller. “Duke” would go on to bring a new sound to the Cotton Club scene of the roaring 20’s, changing the face of American music in his own right.

Rounding out the artistic team will be the Prince’s Resident Music Supervisor Eric Barnes (PMT’s Annie Get Your Gun) who is fresh off the national tour of Chicago as Associate Conductor, Scenic Designer Todd Edward Ivins, Lighting Designer Shelley Hicklin, Sound Designer Nick Kourtides and Costume Designer Mark Mariani.

Ain’t Misbehavin’ begins December 4th and will run through December 31st. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Special performances will be added during the week between Christmas and New Years. Tickets are $35 for preview performances (Dec. 4th-Dec.7th), $40 for weekday evenings and all matinees, and $55 for Saturday evenings. New Years Eve will see the Prince come alive with the pop of Champagne with exclusive packages that begin at $75. Tickets may be purchased now through UpStages by calling 215 569 9700 or visiting the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street or via our website, www.princemusictheater.org. The show is an exciting holiday group event with special group discounts available by contacting Marcia Pendelton on 215 972 1006.

Members of the press are invited to attend the opening night performance on December 8th, 2007 at 8pm. Additional information, interview requests and press tickets can be arranged by contacting J Nathan Bazzel, Public Relations Manager at jbazzel@princemusictheater.org or 215 972 1014.