Ain't Misbehavin'

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Director's Statement

Ain’t Misbehavin' is a special show. It instantly transports you to a different time. it pulls you into this world that’s rambunctious, fun, and overflowing with spirit. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is silly, a little raunchy, and at times heartbreaking. 

The cast embodies the different parts of fats waller’ personality. He has such a jovial presence and through his music he puts you in a front row seat to human emotion. songs like “the joint is jumping” and “black and blue” speak to both the joys and sorrow’s of black people; our plight and our truths.

I’ve loved Ain’t Misbehavin’ since I performed in the show over a decade ago’ it has had a lasting impact on me. This is a show that changes you after you experience it. I’m so happy  this production is being told through the black lens; we are very proud to have an all black creative team.

So many things have happened in us past few years for us all; Ain’t Misbehavin’ will not only provide escape and entertainment but will speak directly to the human experience. what makes Ain’t Misbehavin’ so much fun is the immersive atmosphere; this is a show that thrives on input from the audience. to be clear we want you to talk back; we want you to chime in with ‘un huh” and “amen.” Ain’t Misbehavin’ is best enjoyed with this sense of talking back in mind. I know you’ll enjoy this journey through the music of Fats Waller.

About Face Off Theatre Company

Face Off Theatre Company is a West-Michigan ensemble-based theater founded in 2015 by six graduates of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Today, FOTC seeks to both ENGAGE and EMPOWER the communities we represent. 

culturalasticity - “communities that heal, grow, care and inspire together, wire together and bring us all higher together" - Susana Barkataki

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Dayanna Price

CHARLAYNE

Dayanna Price is excited and thrilled for her first production with Face Off Theatre Company in Ain't Misbehavin'. Since graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy with a BFA in Performing Arts, she has traveled between NYC and LA performing in various mediums of performing arts including: Infernal the Musical at The Flea Theatre, appearing in the show Twisted Fiction on Prime Video, and dancing in the grand opening of Ryan Serhant's new office promo called Touring Serhant. She is thankful for the production team of FOTC and is immensely filled with joy to be performing in her hometown once again. "Make sure to Keep out of Mischief!"- Dayanna.

Bri Edgerton

ARMELIA

Bri Edgerton is a multifaceted performer, singer, choreographer and teaching artist from Kalamazoo. Bri’s passion for the performing arts sparked from a young age and has continued to flourish. She is thrilled to return for her third production with Face Off Theatre Company, in Ain’t Misbehavin’ as Armelia McQueen. Some of her memorable roles include Ti Moune in Once on This Island and Susan in Tick Tick Boom! both at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Savannah in Freaky Friday at Kindleberger, and Nansi in Three Little Birds, a collaboration with Face Off Theatre and Farmers’Alley Theatre. In addition to perfoming, Bri can also be found behind the scenes on the production team. Most recently, she was the choreographer and co-director for Kalamazoo Central High School’s production, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Music. Bri is grateful to be a part of this amazing production and create black art. She sends a special thank you to her former choir teacher and longtime mentor, Theresa Williams-Johnson. Bri also thanks her husband Lee, family, and friends for their love and support.

Kayla Wager

NELL

Kayla Lynn is elated to have her first debut on FaceOff Theatre company’s stage, starting her very first musical with the lively Ain’t Misbehavin’. She’s an alumni from the Detroit School of Arts and is still pursuing her passions for the theater as an acting major at Western Michigan University. She’d like to thank her community of friends and black artists alike for all of their support throughout her creative journey.

Öba the Artist

KEN

Öba The Artist is a Stand-Up comedian, actor and much more from Kalamazoo, Michigan. You might’ve seen him in The Crucible, and Violet at WMU, or Young Frankenstein at Loy Norrix High School. He is very excited for his Face Off Theatre debut! (And his first musical in 8 years)

Jay Duquette

ANDRE

Jay Duquette was raised in Muskegon, Michigan. He’s been involved with music almost his whole life, being surrounded by a musical family. Jay has attended Western Michigan University for Oboe Studies, and Jazz studies.

Shea-Lin Shobowale Benson

The Harlem Ensemble

DR. SHEA-LIN SHOBOWALE-BENSON has been performing since the age of three, over the years expressing herself through singing, tap, jazz, ballet, gymnastics, acting, playwriting and more. The Sharon, Penn., native is proud to have acted in shows at her father’s church, as well as in high school and, later, college. Shea-Lin was a member of The VUU Players at her alma mater, Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., earning multiple lead roles and minoring in drama and speech; her major was psychology. While in Virginia, she was also with the Nivlaco theatre company in Norfolk. She has penned several productions: "Bittersweet Blue” was performed in Youngstown, Ohio, and Southern Pines, N.C. Her most recent work is a short play about actors of color struggling in Hollywood entitled “Is Black Enough?” It was staged virtually by Face Off Theatre Company, where Shea-Lin's been the Season Dramaturg since 2022. She made her directorial debut in 2023. She considers her husband, Rashidi, known to all as “Sho,” to be her biggest supporter and refers to her 4-year-old twins as her reaSONS. She is a practicing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Psychologist. Dr. Shea (as she has come to be known), believes there is healing power found in "The Arts".

Jéyvonā Kelley

The Harlem Ensemble

Jéyvonā Kelley is ecstatic to be making her Debut with Face Off Theater. She has recently performed In Barbecue with Kalamazoo Civic Theater, and is walking the runway in the upcoming Fall NYFW! She would like to shout out her Mom, Garner, and friends for their love, support, and encouragement.

King Ryan Singleton

Director/Scenic Designer/Costumer

“King” Ryan Singleton is a Local Community Organizer and Artist. Born and raised in Kalamazoo he has committed his life to bettering his community; As well as expanding his passion for the Visual and Performing Arts. King Ryan is the founder and Executive Director of Uplift Kalamazoo a non profit focused on bringing resources and aid to the local Black community. He has many theatre credits that span roles both on and offstage. He has contributed to many local productions over the past 15 years: Detroit 67, Ain’t Misbehavin, Godspell, The Wiz, And Jar the floor to name a few. King Ryan believes “art and community go hand in hand, I’m not sure one can exist without the other”.

Marissa Harrington

Artistic Director

Monica Washington Padula

Music/Pit Director

Monica Washington Padula (she/her) is a mother of six and a 2008 and 2010 graduate of Western Michigan University, where she received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Classical Piano Performance with the aid of the Medallion scholarship and the Thurgood Marshall fellowship. Monica is a multi-genre pianist, organist, and saxophonist, with a background in Black gospel music and other forms of African-American popular music. Since graduating from college, she has maintained a piano studio (the Washington Piano Studio), and taught as a piano teacher for scholars of the Liepemann Scholarship Program provided by Mothers of Hope, the Gilmore "Keys to Education" school piano labs and summer camps, and serves as music director, pianist, and organist for faith institutions, community choirs, and theater organizations in the Kalamazoo area. She is the current keyboardist and organist at Portage United Church of Christ in Kalamazoo, MI. In addition to a music career, Monica is a mother of six, and an antiracism and social justice advocate and activist, working with organizations such as Black Lives Matter and the Michigan Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media to resist violence, racism and psychological harm towards the Black and Native communities.She identifies ethno-politically as AfroNative, and is a displaced descendant of the historic Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River bands of Ojibwe.

Xavier Bolden

Assistant Director/Follow Spot Operator

Milan Levy

Production Manager/Sound & Projections Op

May Moe Tun

Stage Manager

Kourtney Ketterhagen

Choreographer

Born in South Haven, MI, Kourtney Mitchell Ketterhagen began her dance training at Kalamazoo's renowned Weaver Dance School. She became the first black drill team officer in the award winning Allen HS Escadrille in Allen, TX. As a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Kourtney traveled the US and abroad on USO tours including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the DMZ in Korea. From an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Ocean to a hit South American television program, Kourtney has performed in nine countries and 23 states. She was featured in MC Hammer's "Too Legit To Quit" music video and the "Phil Donahue Show" on NBC. Live performances include A Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. featuring Quincy Jones and Farm Aid with Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Tracey Chapman. After receiving an Associates of Arts in Musical Theater at Dallas College, Kourtney expanded into acting, performing on television, in national commercials and numerous industrial shows. She served on the board of Kitchen Dog Theater Company in Dallas, TX and won the Dallas Observer's Choreography award for Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical. She and her husband Luke currently reside on her family's 56 year-old organic blueberry farm in Grand Junction, where she advises and produces collateral and manages projects for individuals and organizations across the US.

Sam Snow

Lighting Designer

Dr. Shea-Lin Shobowale Benson

Dramaturg

Kayde Moore

House Manager/Sound & Projections Op

Mitchell VanderMeulen

Trombone

Jesse Lemons

Trumpet

Neal Lensenmayer

Bassist

Justin Stokes

Drums

ntroduced at a young age, Justin always wanted play music. He began playing drums in his church band around age 8. At age 17 he joined his high school drum line, where he contributes his growth as musician. Justin has taken his his musical abilities around the world but has back home to continue his growth with friends and his community.

Michael Bevene

Co-Scenic Designer

Nikia Jackson

Co-Costumer

Zaynee Miller

Follow Spot Operator

Brandon Newson

Follow Spot Operator

Murray Horwitz

Originally Conceived

Murray Horwitz - Writer, Lyricist, Director Productions: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN Associate Director, Based his original idea & featuring songs with additional lyrics [Revival, Musical, Revue] (Aug 15, 1988 - Jan 15, 1989) ANDRÉ De SHEILD'S HAARLEM NOCTURNE Book & Direction [Original, Musical, Revue] (Nov 18, 1984 - Dec 30, 1984) AIN'T MISBEHAVIN Associate Director, Based on his original idea & featuring songs with additional lyrics [Original, Musical, Revue] (May 9, 1978 - Feb 21, 1982)

Richard Maltby, Jr

Originally Conceived

BROADWAY: Conceived and directed two Tony Award winning musicals: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (1978: Tony, N.Y. Drama Critics, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards -- also Tony Award for Best Director); FOSSE (1999: Tony, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards); as well as RING OF FIRE, (2006). With composer David Shire: director/lyricist: BABY (1983, seven Tony nominations); lyricist: BIG (1996, Tony nomination: Best Score; also Dominium Theatre London 2019). With Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, co-lyricist: MISS SAIGON (Evening Standard Award, London 1990; Tony nomination: Best Score, 1991); co-lyricist: THE PIRATE QUEEN (2007). Director: THE STORY OF MY LIFE (2009). Director/co-lyricist: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SONG & DANCE (1986 Tony Award for star, Bernadette Peters.) OFF-BROADWAY: with David Shire: director/lyricist STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW (1977, Grammy nomination) and CLOSER THAN EVER, (1989, two Outer Critics Circle Awards: Best Musical, Best Score; also Off-Broadway Alliance Award, Best Musical Revival 2013; and London Jermyn Street Theatre 2014,). Director: JUST JIM DALE, (Roundabout Theatre 2014, Vaudeville Theatre, London 2015). REGIONAL: Lyricist/conceiver, TAKE FLIGHT (Menier Chocolate Factory, London 2010; McCarter Theatre 2012); book and lyrics, WATERFALL (2015, Pasadena Playhouse and Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre); Lyricist, new musical SOUSATZKA (2017, Toronto). FILM: Screenplay, MISS POTTER, (2007: Christopher Award, best screenplay.). Contributes cryptic crossword puzzles to Harpers Magazine. Son of well-known orchestra leader; Five children: Nicholas, David, Jordan, Emily and Charlotte.

Music Theatre International

Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.

Multimedia

Special Thanks

Face Off Theatre Company Board Of Directors

Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo

Stryker Corporation

Dorothy U. Dalton Foundation

Irving S. Gilmore Foundation

Lanny Potts

Farmers Alley Theatre

Public Media Network

OutFront Kalamazoo

Julie Nemitz

Cara Lieurance at WMUK

Angela Anderson with 95.5 The Touch

Texture House Sound & Visuals