On the last Sunday of each month, Detroit's Music Hall Jazz Cafe recaptures the glamour of the roaring 1920s with the help of several Wayne State University students. The students, who are mostly theater and music majors in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, take center stage this summer as the lead actors and actresses in Music Hall's rendition of the Fats Waller music revue, Ain't Misbehavin' - an interactive brunch performance that encourages audience members to sing, clap and dance along with the cast.

‘Ain't Misbehavin'

According to show director Michael Barnes, who is also an associate professor of theater at Wayne State, the practical experience these students gain by headlining at Music Hall, a world-class performance venue in a large metropolitan area, cannot be overstated.

"Opportunities like these rarely present themselves in other cities," said Barnes. "Wayne State's internationally acclaimed academic programs in theater and music, as well as the university's location in the heart of Detroit's art and cultural district, definitely give our students a competitive edge when it comes to hands-on training and experience."

With the help of veteran Detroit jazz musicians Alvin Waddles and Ralph Armstrong, Ain't Misbehavin' has sold-out every show since it premiered at the Music Hall Jazz Café in December 2009.

"Detroit is a treasure trove of young, talented artists," said Vince Paul, president, Music Hall. "It's been amazing to work with these ultra-talented students and watch them grow and really hone their skills in such a unique theater setting."

Tickets are $50 and include dinner or brunch depending on the show time. The next performance of Ain't Misbehavin' is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, April 25. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.jazzcafedetroit.com/ or by calling the Music Hall box office at (313) 887-8500.

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Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.