Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show at The Vogel

MARTIN CORDERO (Papa Otis) would like to thank the cast and production team of Ain't Misbehavin’ for putting together this amazing show. To his family and friends who continue to support him through this journey: It's great to have you come along for the ride, thank you. Most of all, Martin would like to thank the people who come out to see the performance and support the theatre 🎭 community.

JANNETTE (JSA) FISHER (Charlaine) is thrilled to be in Ain't Misbehavin’ as Charlaine! This will be her fifth production with Phoenix Productions. Past credits include: Hair (Dionne; CDC), The Color Purple (Squeak; Phoenix Productions), and Kinky Boots (Lauren; Phoenix Productions). As a client with Kreative Talent Agency, she hopes to explore and expand on her skill set and opportunities. Thank you to the cast, crew, and Phoenix Productions!

RACHAEL MARIE JENAE (Nell) is thrilled to be returning to the stage with Phoenix Productions. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas Christian University and has performed in various theatre and film projects. In addition to theatre, Rachael Marie is an R&B singer, songwriter, and recording artist. She is passionate about storytelling through both music and performance, and is grateful to share that joy with audiences. Rachael Marie would like to thank her family, friends, and creative collaborators for their constant love and support.

MARK LOVELL (Titus / Dance Captain) was born in New York City and began his dance training at Devore Dance Center, where he developed a passion for performance. He later attended Montclair State University, graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Following graduation, Mark spent the past two years performing internationally as a dancer aboard cruise ships with RWS Global, gaining experience performing for audiences around the world. He is grateful for the opportunities that continue to shape his artistic journey and would like to thank his family, friends, and mentors for their constant support.

MIKAYLA NELSON (Bessie) is very excited to be making her Count Basie Center for the Arts debut, especially with this cast! She wants to thank the cast and Phoenix Productions for a warm welcome and all of their hard work. In addition to performing, she also loves to cook and try new recipes. She recently took third place at her job’s first chili cook-off! She would also like to thank her friends & family for their continued support of her in the arts, and she hopes they enjoy the show!

JASMINE PLANTT (Armelia) is so happy to be back at Phoenix and to see so many familiar faces. Previous credits include: Ain't Misbehavin’ (Armelia; Plays in the Park), Newsies (Medda Larkin; Spotlight Players), and Once on This Island (Storyteller / Mama u/s; Phoenix Productions). She is so excited to once again bring the incomparable Armelia to life. Jasmine loves performing and truly values the arts in all forms. She's “saving all her love” for her mom, family, and friends!

JARROD SCOTT (Andre) is a world-touring vocalist, educator, director, and vocal coach who previously served as a headline entertainer for Royal Caribbean. He was recently seen locally as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, as well as in LYYPNC and Songs for a New World. His directorial credits include: Legally Blonde, The Mountaintop, The Addams Family, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Once on This Island. He’s an NJACT Perry Award winner for his direction of The Color Purple. Jarrod believes the impact and contributions of people of color in theatre are paramount. Special thanks to Natalie, and to James for providing space and continued support.

GREGINALD SPENCER (Ken) is a singer, songwriter, international entertainer & recording artist, actor, music director, mentor, and talent consultant. He is best known for his energetic personality and powerfully soulful vocals. Greginald was born and raised in the heart of South Mississippi, in the small town of Collins. He now resides in New York City, where he works as an independent entertainer and talent consultant, who performs all over the world, including the USA, Japan, France, and Germany. Greginald was the first ever winner of Apollo Live, a nationally-syndicated revival of the historic talent competition at the world famous Apollo Theater. The show aired on BET, with iconic industry greats Gladys Knight, Doug E. Fresh, and Michael Bivins as contestant mentors/judges. Greginald has since become the "Set It Off Man" of Amateur Night at The Apollo, where he kicks off the show with a twenty-minute scripted performance to warm up the crowd and contestants weekly. Greginald was previously seen in Phoenix’s production of The Color Purple (Mister).

TOM HESSMAN (Production Manager / Sound Design) is a lifelong theatergoer and spent 15 years on the media crew for Staples Players (Westport, CT) before moving to the NJ theatre scene, where Tom loves volunteering in various capacities. Tom had a brief walk-on role in Phoenix’s 2019 production of Young Frankenstein, and Phoenix hasn’t been able to get rid of him since! Favorite credits include: Kinky Boots, Bat Boy: The Musical (2025 BroadwayWorld New Jersey Award, Best Sound Design Of A Play Or Musical; NJACT Perry Award nomination, Outstanding Production of a Musical), The Prom, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Doll’s House, Green Day’s American Idiot, and Evil Dead The Musical. Tom would like to thank James, this exceptional production team, his wonderful friends, and his loving sister Kat. Tom would also like to congratulate Anthony on his directorial debut! TomHessman.com

ANTHONY VIERA (Director) is thrilled to make his directorial debut with Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Phoenix Productions, a company he has proudly called home since his first production at age 15. Recent acting credits include: Kinky Boots (Phoenix Award, Best Supporting Actor), RENT, Evil Dead The Musical, Miracle on 34th Street, Ragtime, and Once on This Island. Production credits include: Assistant Director for The Music Man, Production Manager and Assistant Director for Fiddler on the Roof, as well as Associate Production Manager for The Color Purple (NJACT Perry Award nomination, Outstanding Production of a Musical) and The Prom. Anthony is honored to help tell a story celebrating Black excellence, joy, and resilience, and is deeply grateful to the cast, crew, and production team who brought this vision to life. Special thanks to James, who filled his life with opportunity and saw in him what Anthony sometimes could not see in himself, as well as Fran, Dennis, and Jim. This, and everything I do, is for you, Nan <3.

JASÓN N. WELLS (he/him) (Choreographer) is a dancer/singer/choreographer, performer, and Montclair State MT Grad ('22). He is so excited to be part of this amazing team of Black excellence, and is excited to be making his Phoenix Productions choreographer debut!

RODERICK DEMMINGS, JR. (Music Director) is an award-winning pianist and organist who made his solo debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall at age 12. He began studying organ that same year and later earned a full scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, graduating with a degree in Organ Performance while studying with renowned organist Donald Sutherland. Demmings has performed on six continents in major concert halls and historic cathedrals, including the Vatican in Rome, St. Sulpice in Paris, and St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. In the United States, he has appeared as a soloist in major cities from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. He has served as Music Director with organizations including the Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera, and Arena Players Theatre. An advocate for justice, he founded Baltimore’s #BlackMusicMatters ensemble, which performed at the 50th anniversary commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis in 2018. Demmings is also an aviation enthusiast pursuing his Private Pilot’s license, a two-time Spartan Race champion, and an avid chess player.

JAMES GRAUSAM (Costumes / Properties / Managing Artistic Director) has directed several productions for Phoenix at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, including: Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who’s Tommy, The 30th Anniversary Gala Concert, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Songs for a New World, Smokey Joe’s Café, Spring Awakening, Elf The Musical, Putting It Together, Evil Dead The Musical, Green Day’s American Idiot, The Music Man, Bat Boy: The Musical, and Kinky Boots. He continues to direct and perform other places as time allows. As always, for Olivia.

EMILY LOVELL (Lighting Designer) has been working professionally as a lighting designer for ten years. Starting as Lighting Designer at The Strand Theater in Lakewood, she has gone from theatre to concerts (Asbury Lanes) to corporate events (Bentley Meeker) and finally back here at The Vogel where she is currently Lighting Designer and Assistant Production Manager. This will be her fifth Phoenix show as Lighting Designer (Guys and Dolls, RENT, Bat Boy: The Musical, Fiddler on the Roof). She is looking forward to another great show!

PAT MALIWAT (Production Stage Manager) graduated Magna Cum Laude in BA Theatre Arts with a major in Dramaturgy and Directing from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She was a Stage Manager in productions including: The Last Five Years (Barefoot Theatre Collaborative), Into the Woods (Theatre Group Asia), Your Mind, Girls: The First Battleground For Freedom (Barnard College, NYC), Miracle on 34th Street (Phoenix Productions), Truth: A Biofictional Choreopoem (La MaMa, NYC), and CUMULO (PATCH at the Carriage House, NYC).

ANDREW ROBINSON (Scenic Designer) is a New York-based scenic designer and is excited to be working on Ain't Misbehavin'. Last year, he started his MFA in Scenic Design at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He has worked at multiple professional theaters, including La Mama, Urban Stages, Lantern Theater, Center Theater, Act Two Playhouse, Azuka Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, and InterAct. Andrew's portfolio can be viewed at www.andrewrobinsondesigns.com, or follow him at @ar_scenicdesigns.

KYLE SANTOPADRE (Technical Director) has a BA in Theatre with a Design concentration from Rowan University. He is the Assistant Technical Director and Lighting Designer for the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Past scenic designs include: West Side Story, In the Heights, Guys & Dolls (Phoenix Productions); Noises Off (Raritan HS); Hello, Dolly! (Capital Productions). Many thanks to a wonderful production team!

TOMÁS ALFONSO TORRES (Technical Specialist) is excited to be working on his third show here with Phoenix Productions, as the in-house Technical Specialist. Having acquired a bachelor's degree in Theatre Studies from Susquehanna University and an MA in Theatre, Tomás has dedicated almost every waking moment of his adult life to the art of making art. In his spare time, you can catch him reading Hispanic literature, riding his bike around Red Bank, or spending all his money on sushi. Cheers to Amanda Gillette, Sandra Andrade, Juan Torres, and Tia Veronica for all the love and support.