HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre celebrates its 2008 Black Tie Gala weekend with two free performances of the Tony Award winning musical Ain't Misbehavin-The Fats Waller Musical Show at Miller Outdoor Theatre August 16 and 17, at 8:00pm.

This lively production conceived by director/ lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horowitz, featuring music by Thomas ``Fats'' Waller is reminiscent of the 1930s Harlem Renaissance. Crowds of people danced through Manhattan Night Clubs like the Savoy Ballroom and the Cotton Club; they hopped through Lennox Avenue jazz joints with a heightened sense of creativity, cultural awareness, and ethnic pride. The evolution of swing music carried the rhythm of the people with stride piano players and diva styled soloists singing melodies to the soul.

Theatre goers are calling the performance ``spectacular.'' ``I felt like getting up dancing with the cast,'' says one patron.

Audiences will see a phenomenal period in our history brought to life under the direction and choreography of Patdro Harris. They will feel the energy of one of the most innovative musical styles with the accompaniment of musical director Phillip Hall. ``When you have joy...it's something you can't keep to yourself,'' says Harris.

These performances have been underwritten by Miller Outdoor Theatre. Continental Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre.

 Who/What:  The Ensemble Theatre is offering another opportunity for
            Houstonians to experience its revival of Ain't Misbehavin
            which gave an explosive finale to the 2007-2008 Season.
            Sunday's performance will be preceded by a special 7:00pm
            awards presentation known as the Giorgee Awards. The
            Giorgee Awards represents The Ensemble Theatre's own Tony
            awards, named after The Ensemble Theatre founder, George
            Wayne Hawkins -- these awards go to Houston's best and
            talented performers, designers, and technicians that have
            performed and/or worked on any of the six mainstage shows
            for the previous year.

 When:      Performances:  Saturday, August 16:  8:00pm
                           Sunday, August 17:    8:00pm

 Where:     Miller Outdoor Theatre * 100 Concert Dr * Houston, TX 
            77030 * 281-373-3386
            http://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and enlighten, entertain and enrich a diverse community. In addition to being the oldest and largest professional African-American theatre in the Southwest, it also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African-American theatres that owns and operates its facility with an in-house production team.

The Ensemble Theatre produces a main stage season of six contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The theatre's Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, Artist-in-Residence experiences and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre; and the Young Performers Program offers intensive summer training for children ages seven to 17 encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts.

The Ensemble Theatre logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4566

          Ensemble Theatre
          Robert Ross
          (713) 807-4306
          rross@ensemblehouston.com