In 1982, singer and actress Nell Carter was gearing up to once again appear in Ain’t Misbehavin’. This time, it was a newer, made-for-television version revisiting the lively ’30s Harlem nightclub scene. How did the Gimmie A Break star feel about returning to a body of work that skyrocketed her career? It was frightening.
“It was very scary,” Carter told Lansing State Journal‘s writer Mike Hughes in ’82. “It’s very hard to recreate something that worked before.”
The musical debuted on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre in May 1978 and traveled to two other theatres throughout its run. Carter was an original cast member, and others included Andre DeShields, Armeila McQueen, Ken Page, and more.
The show was a hit, snagging multiple award nominations. Nell Carter won a Tony, Obie, Drama Desk, and Theatre Award for her role as “Nell” since no established character names existed.
Carter’s recognition after the part would help her “move on up” in the industry. And the crazy thing is, she didn’t want the job.
“My agent told me about the show, and I really didn’t want to do another musical. He told me to sing an uptempo song, and I [sang] ‘Mean to Me,’ which is very sad. I really didn’t want the job.”
She got it anyway, and it was an opportunity that opened more doors for her than any of her previous roles. But where did Ain’t Misbehavin’ come from, and what does it even mean?
Fats Waller, a prominent jazz musician and songwriter, was one of the most influential performers during his time and struck gold with his single “Ain’t Misbehavin,” where the Broadway musical got its name. According to Songfacts, the singer, through the lyrics, promised to stay faithful to his true love. In other words, he wasn’t out there “misbehaving.”
“I don’t stay out late/ Don’t care to go/ I’m home about eight/ Just me and my radio/ Ain’t Misbehavin’/ I’m saving my love for you.”
