Once in a while, your expectations can exceed the reality of a situation, and BoarsHead Theater’s production of “Ain’t Misbehavin‘” did just that.

It was supposed to be a representation of the Roaring ’20s, but it lacked something called energy. “Ain’t Misbehavin‘,” struggled to provide the jazzy, glamorous karma of the Harlem Renaissance days.

The Harlem Renaissance was the first time national publishers and critics seriously noticed African-American literature and arts. During those days, diversity was the most valuable aspect of the renaissance because it closely focused on African-American music, theater, art and politics.

The cast of five performed 30 original songs written by Fats Waller, such as “Lookin’ Good,” “T Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” and “Squeeze Me,” on a stage set up like the famous 1920s party spot, the Cotton Club. This club sometimes provided African-American entertainment exclusively for whites.

But most musicians during the 1920s played to mixed audiences of both Harlem residents and white New Yorkers.

The show opened with the band playing jazz tunes of the ’20s, setting the scene for swing music and jitterbug moves. The lights dimmed as if we were in Las Vegas and it was showtime.

A small, live band comprised of Jeff Kressler, piano; Rick Guetschow, bass; Jonathon Britton, drums; played soulful sounds on each instrument.

Stage props, including two glass tables with wine glasses placed around a pitcher of water, eluded to a cabaret-style party. But the spacious dance floor, where many of the cast’s group and solo acts were performed, was front and center.

From the beginning, my expectations were high because the cast had great music with which to interact. The actors also were reenacting an era that not only helped shape America culturally, but distinguished itself from all other times in our history. I expected sharp dancers and flawless singers to provide the illusions of the Cotton Club during the 1920s. Maybe the musical was ill-casted and should have used younger, more energized people.

The cast didn’t fit the bill. Something seemed to be missing, and that something was youth. I didn’t feel like the cast had the energy needed to pull off the show.

Although many of the audience members seemed to be enjoying the musical, some felt the first half started off really slowly and wasn’t very entertaining.

East Lansing resident Nikki Cooper said the musical picked up the pace after the intermission.

“I thought the cast came back after intermission and performed more upbeat,” Cooper said. “They did a great job performing the song ‘Your Feet’s Too Big.’”

After intermission, the cast did perform with more energy, but continued to lose it from song to song. Most of the vocals were good, but again, at times it was difficult understanding the lyrics being sung.

Cooper said, overall, she felt the musical was colorful and humored the audience.

The Harlem Renaissance is a special part of American history revolutionized through the African-American community that should be represented at all times by the best.

I’m not saying preparing for this show didn’t take a lot of hard work, because I’m sure it did, but the bottom line is it lacked energy.

Overall, the cast had the basic concept of “Ain’t Misbehavin‘,” but a lack of charisma and energy highlighted the fact that the cast didn’t fit the ideal image of the 1920s.