CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC: Thomasville Entertainment Foundation closes out its 2023-24 season Tuesday with a cabaret concert version of the hit Broadway musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’

Thomasville Entertainment Foundation’s milestone 85th performance season wraps up on Tuesday with the rescheduled cabaret concert version of the hit Broadway musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’, at Thomasville Center for the Arts.

Originally scheduled for November but delayed by Hurricane Nicole, the New York-based cast finally makes it to Thomasville next week for a sold-out performance of the show that won the 1978 Tony Award for Best Musical, along with two other Tony Awards.

TEF Vice President for Box Office Ginny LeGette is managing a waiting list for the April 11 concert event and encouraged season ticket holders who cannot attend the rescheduled date to pass on their tickets to friends and family or release them back to TEF as a tax deductible, in-kind donation.

“The response to this season and this performance has been very strong, and, at this point, we are officially sold out, even utilizing seats that have a compromised or partially obstructed view,” LeGette reported. “It is possible, however, that as ticket holders release seats, we may be able to work our way through the waiting list in the day or two before the show, so we encourage those interested to call the office to inquire about last minute availability.”

“This particular performance is presented in cabaret concert style, which is how it was first performed in New York as part of the Manhattan Theatre Club’s cabaret series,” explained TEF Executive & Artistic Director Rick Ivey. “Based on the audience reaction and response, the decision was made to develop Ain’t Misbehavin’ into a full scale Broadway production.”

The production opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre and ran for more than 1,600 performances before closing in 1982. Considered a tribute to the musicians of the Harlem Renaissance, Ain’t Misbehavin’ heavily features the music of legendary composer Thomas “Fats” Waller, along with a book, or script, by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr.

“This has been another season of unanticipated and unavoidable postponements and delays, but we so appreciate the patience and understanding of our patrons, volunteers and supporters as we’ve continued to adapt and pivot,” said Ivey. “It’s always disappointing when long planned performances get disrupted, and we apologize for the inconvenience and confusion, especially to our long-term season ticket holders.”

Season subscribers who cannot locate their original tickets for the November 10 date can call the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation office at 229-226-7404 to request replacement tickets, and those who ordered single tickets for this particular performance can pick them up at the Will Call desk on Tuesday between 6:30 and 7:20 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1937, TEF is a volunteer-powered, non-profit organization celebrating 85 years of entertaining and engaging the community. In addition to its annual season of concerts and performances, TEF presents a free Family Series geared to families and children, provides educational outreach programs for students, and awards performing arts scholarships and grants to promising young artists.

Interested concertgoers can contact the TEF office at (229) 226-7404 or visit www.TEFconcerts.com for more information.