2009-05-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

This Tony Award
and the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle
and Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical
and extremely rare and one-of-a-kind
art and memorabilia

can be yours!

WIN YOUR OWN TONY AWARD
prior to the 2009 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7
only 1 day left to bid

Tony nomination memorabilia

"Ain't Misbehavin'" has been playing somewhere in the world nearly every day since its original opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on May 9, 1978 after 14 previews, running for 1604 performances. It played in London at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1979. In 1988 it was revived on Broadway featuring the original cast – the late Nell Carter, Armelia McQueen, Charlayne Woodard, Andre De Shields, and Ken Page – and was nominated for another Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, running for 176 performances and 8 previews.

Outer Critics Circle Award

Drama Critics Circle Award

Drama Desk Award

"Ain't Misbehavin'" is now playing to packed audiences at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, in a re-creation of the original production once again directed by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr., and the original choreographer, Arthur Faria.

Nomination Memorabilia

June 4, 1978, the 32nd annual Tony Awards at the Shubert Theatre, a night to remember. You should have been there with all these magical stars:

Tony Award winners:
Liza Minelli, John Collum, Jessica Tandy, Kevin Kline

Tony Award nominees:
Frank Langella, Hume Cronyn, Jason Robards, Madeline Kahn, Eartha Kitt, Frances Sternhagen, Morgan Freeman, Anne Bancroft, Victor Garber, Swoosie Kurtz, Marian Seldes Imogene Coca,
Geoffrey Holder, Halston

Emcees and presenters:
Bob Hope, Lauren Bacall, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Carol Channing, Julie Harris, Robert Guillaume, Edward Asner, Helen Hayes, Linda Lavin, Jack Lemmon, Hal Linden, Roy Scheider, Dick Van Patten, Bob Fosse – and Gene Kelly, who presented the Tony for Best Musical

Tony Memorabilia

It's a magical, iconic, breakthrough show that changed Broadway forever.

After "Ain't Misbehavin,'" there was no need for out-of-town tryouts, or big stars, or classic book musicals, or three hour shows, and African-American actors could carry a hot ticket show all on their own.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" welcomed African-American middle-class audiences to Broadway for the first time, including church and high school groups. Star-struck young gospel singers could now set their sights on Broadway. And, as a result of her stardom, Nell Carter went on to forge non-traditional casting playing Miss Hannigan in "Annie" in 1997. (Next stop: acceptance of non-traditional casting in the White House?)

Opening Night Memorabilia

Extremely Rare

Engraved 5/9/78

Extremely Rare

I've seen "Ain't Misbehavin'" over 400 times, from dinner theatre to Broadway, and I've loved every show. I've seen it with stars – Melba Moore, the Pointer Sisters, Debbie Allen, Irene Cara in the original revue, and Ruben Stoddard in the 30th Anniversary Tour – and with performers in third-hand wigs and costumes and with little rehearsal who still gave it their best shot and the material carried them through the evening to a standing ovation just the same.

Art Memorabilia

Extremely Rare
Three-Sheet

Extremely Rare Window Cards

The unforgettable music of Thomas "Fats" Waller
in "Ain't Misbehavin'":

'T Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
Spreadin' Rhythm Around
I've Got My Fingers Crossed
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Two Sleepy People
It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling
Yacht Club Swing
The Joint is Jumpin'
Find Out What They Like
Keepin' out of Mischief Now
Lookin' Good But Feelin' Bad
Lounging at the Waldorf
The Ladies Who Sing with the Band

Fat and Greasy
Mean to Me
Your Feet's Too Big
That Ain't Right
Off-Time
Ain't Misbehavin'
Black and Blue
Honeysuckle Rose
Handful of Keys
Jitterbug Waltz
Squeeze Me
How Ya Baby
Cash for Your Trash
When the Nylons Bloom Again
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter

Media Memorabilia

One-of-a-kind: the "blue" typesetter's sheet used to print the original review by the New York Times critic on May 10, 1978.

Extremely rare mock-up of original ad to run in the New York Times post-opening night.

New York Times ads of all sizes.

Extremely rare, if not one-of-a-kind original sheaf of reviews delivered to Sardi's by Bill Evans, press agent. Includes: Richard Eder, New York Times; Douglas Watt, Daily News; William A. Raidy, The Star-Ledger; Clive Barnes, New York Post; Allan Wallach; Emory Lewis; transcripts of on-air reviews by Pia Lindstrom, NBC-TV; Jeffrey Lyons, WPIX TV and CBS Radio; Stewart Klein, WNEW TV; and Alvin Klein, WNYC Radio.

Original media reviews and feature articles:

New York Times:
February 20, 1978
February 24, 1978
March 24, 1978
April 16, 1978
May (pre May 9), 1978
May 7, 1978 (with Hirschfield drawing of Ken Page)
May 10, 1978 (same as blue typesetter's sheet)
May 11, 1978
May 12, 1978
May 14, 1978
May 17, 1978
May 19, 1978
May 21, 1978
May 25, 1978
June 5, 1978
July 28, 1978 (with Hirschfield drawing of Armelia McQueen)
December 31, 1978

Daily News:
February 20, 1978
May 10, 1978
May, 1978
June 5, 1978

New York Post:
February 20, 1978
May 10, 1978
May, 1978

The Village Voice:
March 6, 1978
June 26, 1978 (detailing Ronald Reagan's visit to the show)

Time Magazine, February 27, 1978
Newsweek, March 22, 1978, December 25, 1978
People Magazine, June 19, 1978 (Tony Awards)
Vogue, July 1978
The New Yorker, March 6, 1978, May 22, 1978
New York Magazine, March 13, 1978
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 10, 1978
The Nation, May 19, 1978 (with personal note from editor)
Interview (interview with Nell Carter)

Revival Media Reviews and Feature Articles:

New York Times:
August 16, 1988
August 28, 1988

Time:
August 29, 1988

New York Magazine:
August 29, 1988 (article and review)

The New Yorker:
September 5, 1988

Please note:

The above memorabilia is over thirty years old. Much of it has sustained normal yellowing with age, stains or wrinkles with usage, or minor tears at the edges. The Drama Critics Circle Award and the three black and white window cards each have some water damage at the bottom. Interested parties may request close up photos of these items by e-mail.

TERMS OF SALE:

To Broadway Musical and Ain't Misbehavin' Fans and Collectors:

Thank you so much for your interest in this Tony Award and other "Ain't Misbehavin'" memorabilia. You may be wondering why I am parting with such extraordinary mementos of times I hold very dear. You see, I have close friends my age in this country, in Spain, in Eastern Europe, and in Africa, who are experiencing some temporary but severe financial difficulties in the current economic climate. I decided to raise a substantial fund to help save their homes, keep students in college, save small businesses, provide seed money for self-employed start-ups, and to cover gaps in health insurance. I hope with all my heart that the funds raised by selling this magnificent collection will help provide a balm that heals them. "Possessions possess you, but love can set you free."

--- J. Gaynor, Producer, Ain't Misbehavin'

ANY AND ALL INQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
YourAMBTonyAward@yahoo.com

The minimum bid for this Tony Award package is $20,000. (This is the same amount successfully bid by a collector for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for "Grind" in 1985 won by the late Florence Klotz, on ebay in February of 2009.)

You may bid in any increments you like beginning with $20,000.

However, a bid of $32,000 will win the bidding preemptively.

The desired end to this "auction" is no later than Sunday, June 7, so that there is a winner to the "Ain't Misbehavin'" Best Musical Tony prior to watching the 2009 Tony Awards on CBS that evening.

However, if there is not a satisfactory bid prior to June 7, this opportunity may remain available, or it may be withdrawn at any time.

There may also be second, third, and fourth place backup winners in case of any occurrence which prevents completing the sale with the first place winner.

The Tony winner shall remain private, and can publicize their Tony win as they wish.

Sales of all Tony Awards made prior to The Tony Award Medallion Receipt Agreement in 1985 are legal and valid.

The Tony winner shall remit the full bid price to a New York City attorney who is an active member of the New York State Bar in good standing within 48 hours of being notified by seller that he or she is the Tony winner. The Tony winner's attorney shall confirm the receipt of funds by phone to seller's attorney within those 48 hours.

The Tony winner's attorney shall then remit the full bid price to my New York City attorney within 5 business days, whose particulars will be furnished to the winner at that time. The Tony winner is responsible for all expenses and costs incurred by same.

That money shall remain in escrow with my attorney until such time as it has been completely cleared by the issuing bank against any possibility of fraud. This may take anywhere from two weeks to three months depending upon your bank.

However, if the Tony winner is within six degrees of separation to his/her attorney, my attorney, or to me, then this requirement may be relaxed.

Once the funds have been established as non-fraudulent and clear of any possibility of reversal, then the Tony winner shall take possession of all of the items described herein and several bonus items. At that time, the Tony winner may examine all the items to his or her satisfaction, and, if so satisfied, sign an agreement of sale. All transport is to be arranged by the Tony winner and the seller accepts no liability once it leaves my attorney's office.

Please note: Once the seller accepts the Tony-winning offer, final sale is still conditional upon payments being made within the required time periods. Failure to do so shall constitute a breach of this agreement and the seller has the right to either terminate or continue with this agreement at her option.

Sorry, no international buyers accepted, even through third parties.

Thanks, everyone, for your interest and for being a lover of the Broadway musical --- and especially, of "Ain't Misbehavin.'"

Your AMB Tony Award