NORFOLK, VA – August 27, 2025 – The joint is jumpin’! Virginia Stage Company and Norfolk State University Theatre Company are teaming up to launch their seasons with the Tony Award-winning musical Ain’t Misbehavin’, opening September 6 at the Wells Theatre. This high-energy co-production is a celebration of Fats Waller’s unforgettable music and the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance.
From the first note to the final number, Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a joyful, toe-tapping journey through Waller’s greatest hits, including “Honeysuckle Rose,” “This Joint is Jumpin’,” and the show’s unforgettable title song. Beyond the music and humor lies a deeper story of Black artistry and cultural change, when music itself became a source of hope and progress in America.
Virginia Stage Company is also proud to continue its nationally recognized partnership with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. Since their groundbreaking co-production of The Wiz—the first collaboration of its kind between an Equity theatre and an HBCU—VSC and NSU have set a national standard for artistic excellence. Ain’t Misbehavin’ continues this tradition, uniting current NSU students with accomplished alumni, including members of that original Wiz cast, in a celebration of artistry and the transformative power of theatre education at HBCUs.
Virginia Stage Company invites audiences to grab their friends, dress to impress, and join us in the heart of downtown Norfolk for an evening of music, laughter, and history brought to life. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz fan or discovering Waller’s genius for the first time, you’ll leave humming, smiling, and maybe even dancing.
Performance Dates: September 6 thru 21
Location: The Wells Theatre, 108 E. Tazewell Street, Norfolk, VA
Tickets: Starting at $15, available at vastage.org or 757.627.1234
Virginia Stage Company is Southeastern Virginia’s leading non-profit theatre, serving an audience of over 34,000+ patrons annually, both at the Wells Theatre and throughout the community. Our mission is “to make memories together, building community through the extraordinary power of sharing a story.”
The mission of Norfolk State University Theatre Company is to serve as cultural ambassadors for Norfolk State University and diversify theatrical offerings within our region. This mission is accomplished by providing University students and the community with professional-grade theatrical experiences that are about or told through the lens of people from the African diaspora.
