Ain’t Misbehavin’
The Fats Waller Musical Show
Conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz
The Joint is Jumpin’
May 20 – June 19, 2022
Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm
Director & Choreographer: Spencer John Powell
Co-Producers: Mickey Mounarath & Lenelle Wylie
Director & Choreographer: Spencer John Powell
Co-Producers: Mickey Mounarath & Lenelle Wylie
Assembled under the expert eye of acclaimed director/lyricist, Richard Maltby, Jr., Ain’t Misbehavin’ is one of the most popular, well-crafted revues of all time and winner of the 1978 Tony Award for Best Musical.
The inimitable Thomas “Fats” Waller rose to international fame during the Golden Age of the Cotton Club and that jumpin’ new beat, swing music. Although not quite a biography, Ain’t Misbehavin’ evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast struts, strums and sings the songs that he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
The intoxicating music of Fats Waller will delight and energize audiences as well as provide great insight into a vibrant time in American history and music.
“This musical re‐creation of Fats Waller, the jazz singer and pianist, is a whole cluster of marvels.” – The New York Times
“This is going to be short and sweet. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is one of the best things I’ve ever seen in the Musical Theatre” – The Boston Globe
Cast Bios:
CARJANAE is a singer/songwriter, she has put out two E.P’s. Her newest release is Control and she has put out her first music video for Control! The beats are made by her sister (specs.so.smooth). She’s created, planned and successfully had three concerts. Performed at Del Mar Fair multiple years and December Nights located in Balboa Park. She’s currently at Grossmont College working towards transferring and getting her degree in music specializing in vocal. She has new music releasing soon, follow her Instagram @Carjanae if you’d like to stay updated!
DANI is a working mother of two who is excited to jump into community theater with her first performance in Ain’t Misbehavin. She thanks Spencer Powell and the entire Visionary Family for both presenting her this opportunity and supporting her through it.
JALEN is excited to be returning to the spotlight after a few years of silence. Past favorite roles include Donkey (Shrek YAT 2018), The Cowardly Lion (The Wizard of Oz CYT 2019), and The Man in Yellow (Tuck Everlasting CYT 2020). This show will be his first time performing with CoronadoPlayhouse; so, sit back, relax, and enjoy the arts of Fats Wallers Ain’t Misbehavin’.
MICHAEL is excited to debut his acting career and looks forward to utilizing his background in music here on the Coronado Playhouse stage. He has spent the better part of the past three years honing his vocal abilities by working with the Mesa College Vocal Ensemble as the Tenor section leader and the Pacific Harmonix chamber choir in Oceanside California.
TYRAH HUNTER is elated to be back in theatre after a two-year hiatus! She is an upcoming CO’ 2022 graduate obtaining her bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies at CSUN. She is happy to be part of Ain’t Misbehavin’ with #CHP. As an alumnus from San Diego SCPA ‘17 she has been in numerous theatre productions and has also worked with The Moxie theatre and New Village Arts. Some of Tyrah’s most stately productions include Bring It On, The Wiz, The Rocky Horror Show, and many more!
SHARLA MANDERE (Dancer) is so happy to be returning to the San Diego stage after a 13 1/2-year hiatus. She was last seen in I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Scripps Ranch Theatre…in 2008. On her “break”, she made (and has been raising) two incredible humans, started a health and wellness business and has been the choreographer for Peter Pan Jr. Theater, where she choreographs a cast of 90 middle schoolers every year. She is grateful to be sharing the stage with this incredibly talented cast. Thank you to Spencer and James for their knowledge and support, and immense gratitude to her husband Sean and daughters Delia and Sorella for making the sacrifices necessary for her to be part of this production.
GABBY RECORD (Dancer) has been a musical theater performer for as long as she can remember. After pursuing dance, music, and arts directing throughout high school in Massachusetts, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music, concentrating in artistic entrepreneurship and musical theater writing. Gabby moved to San Diego last year after graduating from college and has been looking for every opportunity to peruse theater ever since. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is her first of hopefully many shows at Coronado Playhouse! Outside of the theater, Gabby enjoys teaching dance and gymnastics, cooking, hiking, and traveling with her family. She’d love to thank her boyfriend Eric, her parents, and her amazing friends for their undying support in all of her endeavors!
DEANDRE SIMMONS A native San Diegan, DeAndre is well at home on the musical theatre stage having performed in a wide variety of musicals from She Loves Me, Into the Woods, Dreamgirls, and Little Shop of Horrors, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha, Sweet Charity, Chicago, Candide, and many more. He frequently performs the music of musical theatre and the American Songbook in recitals, concerts, and cabaret. His recent cabaret of songs by Stephen Sondheim, “Just me and Stephen: the songs of Stephen Sondheim” has been highly regarded and is now in popular demand across the country. In the San Diego area, DeAndre is an alumnus of San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, San Diego Junior Theatre, and The Old Globe. He’s performed with several companies including, Lamb’s Players Theatre, The Lyceum Theatre, The Old Globe, Starlight Musical Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Sledgehammer Theatre, The Pantages, and Hollywood Bowl in LA and off-Broadway in NYC. DeAndre has worked with Barbara Cook, Ann Reinking, studied acting with Uta Hagen and Jacques D’Amboise. Future performances include dates in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, and New York.
SHANYEYAH WHITE is excited to be making her Coronado Playhouse debut in Ain’t Misbehavin! Her previous roles include Dorothy (The Wiz), Pepper (Beauty & The Beast), and Godmother (Cinderella). Shanyeyah would soon love to pursue different roles in the TV and Film world as well as continuing stage work. She would love to thank her friends and family for supporting her throughout this journey.
ED WORTHAM (Fats Waller) is very enthusiastic to join this cast on the Coronado Playhouse stage. Elsewhere: Singing baritone with San Diego Church Easter Choir (2022). Raisin in the Sun (Walter Lee Younger) monologue (Cat Theatre) (2022). ASL performed Christmas Salute (2014). 70s Motown Musical Tribute (MC as Don Cornelius) (2012).
Production Bios:
SPENCER JOHN POWELL (Director and Choreographer) has been in the Performing Arts all of his life. He retired from the professional stage and has only done rare performances here and there. His latest was as Edna in Hairspray. Powell has been teaching for over 30 years and choreographed his first major work at 19 years old. He is the Artistic Director of Visionary Dance Theatre. Powell founded Kidz Danz Kompany in 1994. He is also the owner of Mounarath-Powell Productions, focusing on producing emerging and professional artists in all art forms.
Powell is the former artistic director of Ogden Contemporary Dance Theatre. He was the co-founder and director of Tanner and Powell Dance Theatre. Powell attended Weber State University on a full-ride talent scholarship. He has studied dance and theatre in New York and Houston, TX. He has performed with such institutions as Utah Musical Theatre, Orchesis Dance Theatre, Weber State Performing Arts, Discovery Dance Theatre, Junction City Theatre, and Another Language Performing Arts Company. In addition to being an award-winning Choreographer, Powell is also an award-winning Actor.
Powell has choreographed and/or directed professional and community theatre musicals such as Next to Normal, The Wiz, Music Man, and Gypsy, and many musical revues. Powell’s students have graced the Broadway stage and have danced in major Ballet and Modern Dance Companies around the world.
As a producer, Powell has produced many productions as well as individual artists such as Blythe Barton, Jess Humphrey, Daniel Marshall, Michael Mizerany, Lavina Rich, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, Khamla Somphanh, Gina and Kyle Sorensen, Jeanne Travers, Diana Valero, KO Dance Company, La Diego Dance Company, and [the] movement initiative.
JAMES LAROSE (Assistant Director & Choreographer) After finding his home at Visionary Dance Theater in the summer of 2016, James LaRose began training under Spencer John Powell. He has had the opportunity to dance for such choreographers as Jeanne Travers, Kiona Daelyn, Emily Navarra and Trixi Agiao. He has performed for Natalie Valerdi as Puck in Opera NEO’s Production The Fairy Queen. In April 2019, he performed Son of Cain in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at The Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy for Holding Common Ground: Pathways to Cultural Exchange. The solo was choreographed by Spencer John Powell. In 2020. James was selected to participate in the Virtual LA Dance Festival. He was recently featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune which highlighted his upbringing, passions, and promotion to the new Artistic Director for Spencer Powell’s Kidz Danz Kompany. James also directs Musicals and heads the Musical Theatre summer program at visionary where he directed Matilda Jr in 2021.
LENELLE WYLIE (Co-Producer) is thrilled to be working on Ain’t Misbehavin’ with this fabulous cast and crew! She has appeared on stage at Coronado Playhouse and is excited to see this toe-tapping production hit the stage. She adores the Playhouse and truly values the experience they provide for both patrons and actors and is so grateful to have the opportunity to work with Mickey and Spencer. She hopes you enjoy the show!
MICKEY MOUNARATH (Co-Producer, Lighting Designer) Mickey is a former dancer of Ogden Contemporary Dance Theatre. He has also performed with Orchesis Dance Theatre and Another Language Performing Arts. Mickey has produced/co-produced all dance and theatre productions for Visionary Dance Theatre, Visionary School for the Performing Arts, and Visionary Musical Theatre Company. Through Mounarath-Powell Productions, Mickey has also produced/co-produced numerous productions and artists within the San Diego area. Alongside being the Business Director for Visionary, he continues his career in the computer industry. He additionally does consulting for both IT and the Performing Arts.
NINA GILBERT (Music Director) Nina’s background ranges from Kenya (Peace Corps), where she directed her students in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, to Carnegie Hall (Associate Conductor, NY Choral Society), to Boston (Education Director, Boston Lyric Opera). In San Diego since 2016, Nina has music-directed Avenue Q (New Village Arts), The Fantasticks (Point Loma Playhouse), and Dogfight, Matilda, and SpongeBob for CPH. Nina has offered NPR music commentaries and lectured on the history and science of chocolate. She serves as music director for the Congregational Church of La Jolla. Her degrees are from Princeton, Indiana, and Stanford.
REAGAN MARINELLI (Stage Manager) has dazzled the stage for over a decade with some of her favorite shows including Bye Bye Birdie (Margie), Hairspray (Sketch), and most recently, The Addams Family where she portrayed a beloved ancestor. She loves theatre and wants to be involved in any way possible. Taking on a new role as stage manager for Ain’t Misbehavin’, she’s thrilled to learn and grow from this show. This Special Education teacher of 6 years now plans to pursue theatre more seriously and eventually get a degree in musical theatre. She wants to thank Spencer Powell for believing in her since the beginning.
AZA LIMÓN gained interest in makeup and fashion while attending college. After relocating to San Diego, she developed her skills in costume makeup and cosplay. Aza started with Visionary Dance Theatre in November 2020. She is the Costume Coordinator for the dance company.
Press images are not yet available for this production.
Ticket Pricing:
SINGLE TICKETS: Thursday $24, Friday $27, Saturday $30, Sunday $27.
Active Military, Student & Senior Discounts. Great Group Rates.
Group discounts available for parties of 8 or more. (Pricing will automatically adjust when 8 or more Adult Tickets are purchased together. Group rates only apply to adult ticket pricing).
For questions, call the Box Office (619) 435-4856 or email boxoffice@coronadoplayhouse.com
Special Events:
There are no special events currently scheduled for this production.
Community Spotlight:
Community Theatre is made by, with and for the community in which it is performed. Coronado Playhouse is committed to pursuing community theatre in the truest sense of the words by giving back to the people of San Diego County and Coronado and using our public platform to help those in need.
During the run, we are proud to spotlight the San Diego Black Artist Collective.
The San Diego Black Artist Collective’s mission is to facilitate a FOUNDATION OF SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
that provides a sense of community, a safe haven, and a sanctuary for artist development.
SDBAC IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING Black Artists in San Diego IN PRODUCING work that is unapologetic, authentic, and healing to the Black experience across the diaspora.
To donate or learn more visit: www.sdbac.org
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