Entertainment & Lifestyle

Ruben Studdard

Photo courtesy of www.wasserworld.com

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The 2003 “American Idol” winner, Ruben Studdard, is coming to The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall Dec. 2-4 for three performances of “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” the Broadway musical revue featuring the music of “Fats” Waller.

Both Studdard and the musical turned 30 this year, but the singer said the show of music from the 1930s is still relevant to audiences today.

“These songs are so good, and it’s such a well-written play,” said Studdard in a telephone interview from Atlanta, where the show opened Nov. 18. The title song, “This Joint Is Jumpin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Your Feet’s Too Big” are among the tunes in the show.

Studdard also finds the talents of performers from the era to be admirable.

“The one thing that I do love about the time period is that all the musicians and actors were multi-talented,” Studdard said. “Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, he had to dance, sing and act. Nowadays we get a little comfortable with just being able to do one thing.”

Studdard himself is learning to branch out, moving from being a singer to a more well-rounded performer. He said he’s enjoying being on stage and acting as well as singing.

“I love it,” he said.

Studdard said he was approached more than a year ago to star in the touring production. The vocal director for the show was the vocal instructor for “American Idol,” and she suggested him for the part, he said.

About three months ago, the cast met to learn the music and script to record it for an upcoming release.

“We learned the play in two days, which is unheard of,” said Studdard.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” originally opened in a New York cabaret in 1978 with singer Irene Cara. Its success led to it being developed into a full-scale Broadway musical. The show ran for more than 1,600 performances and launched the career of the late Nell Carter, who won a Tony Award for her work. She also starred in the 1988 revival of the musical.

Studdard said appearing in a stage production isn’t too different from touring as a singer — except for the fact that he will be doing eight shows a week.

Joining Studdard on stage will be Frenchie Davis, who appeared on “American Idol” with him. Since then, Davis has appeared in “Rent” and the West Coast tour of “Dreamgirls.”

“Me and Frenchie have been friends since the show,” Studdard said. “It’s been good to work with her again.”

Since winning season two of the popular TV singing competition, Studdard has released two albums. “Soulful” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, selling more than 400,000 copies in one week when it was released in December 2003. A year later, the singer released “I Need an Angel,” a gospel recording.

Studdard said he keeps up with “American Idol,” thanks to his mother.

“My mom is such a huge fan of the show, it’s hard for me not to,” he said. “She keeps up with it. I watch it as much as I can.”

And while he’s indebted to the show for giving him his big break, he believes he would have hit it big eventually on his own.

“I think I would have eventually gotten to where I am, but not as soon,” he said.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” will be on stage Dec. 2-4 at 7:30 p.m. Studdard will take part in a question-and-answer session with audience members following the Dec. 3 performance.

Tickets range in price from $32.50 to $52.50 and are available at the Thomas Hall Ticket Office, www.ticketmaster.com, all TicketMaster locations or by calling (330) 945-9400.