Thursday at the Drury Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, I attended a performance of "Ain't Misbehavin'" - a musical review of the works of Fats Waller.

I have been a fan of this man's music for decades, so I was excited about the show, even though I knew almost nothing about it.

The musical features thirty-one songs recorded initially by Waller. Waller composed some tunes, such as the title song, "Honeysuckle Rose," and "I Can't Give You Anything but Love." He recorded others that originated from a different composer, including "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "Two Sleepy People," and "Your Feet's Too Big."

This "play" lacks a story or plot. Instead, the singers and dancers act out each song on stage, dressed in period costumes and pretending to frequent the speakeasies and jazz clubs of the 1930s.

Although not specifically identified as Fats, Lorenzo Rush Jr. was perfect in the role, with his rotund physique and bravado. James Lane was the other male singer, along with three ladies: Sharriese Hamilton, Alanna Lovely, and Alexis Roston. Each added depth to the characters while entertaining us with their excellent voices.

The music was bluesy and bawdy, with a few ballads mixed in. Backing up the singers, an excellent band led by dynamic pianist and conducter William Foster McDaniel, whose piano moved around the stage to make room for the dancers.

Fats died in 1943 at thirty-nine, but his music lives on, allowing us to behave or misbehave, as we choose.