B A N G! Choose Wisely

Playwright Kenneth G. Craddox and his Bishop’s Kid Productions Company brought his enthralling new play Bang! Life after death. Life has choices…what do you choose? to the Logan Family Life Center for one night only on Friday eve, April 26, 2013. 

Through the narration of the play’s dead main character Maleek Grant, the audience – which included several groups of Paterson City elementary schools – witnessed his fork in the road journey when all the intervention help he received from his mother, grandmother and even a church deacon he turned away, came to a head when he was asked to chose to help his friend Rahim rob a store. The simple question was and is to all, will you choose life or death? He chose wrong.

The play’s powerful message was a stirring one even for adults. We are always faced with decisions in life and often times we chose unwisely. The intriguing cast - which included Darion Bennett as Maleek Grant, Christina Clemonts as Denise Grant, Linda Baker as Mamie Grant, Shaquille Lester as Teenage Maleek, Christopher Osbourne as Tyron Grant, Faith Clemonts as Dasia Thomas, Christian Hall as Raheem Jones, Deron Edmonds as Andrew Nathan, Jayshawn Milton as Young Maleek and Tena Craddox as Rose Johnson - captivated the audience with their witty dialogue and true portrayals. 

“What do you do with that chance? Do you do chose the way that many might say is fun?”   Craddox asked the crowd.

Along with the playwright/director, stage managers Loreese Harville, Tatanisha Gaynor and Angelica Merced helped Craddox pull off a wonderful production! 

Born in Neptune, NJ Craddox is the youngest of six children. He is a graduate of Lakewood High School in Lakewood, NJ and attended college at Jacksonville State University. In addition to writing plays, he is a director and producer for Bishop’s Kid Productions. Though writing plays has become a very important part of Kenneth’s life, he still remembers what the real blessings are and that’s his beautiful wife Tena and their two loving children Kevin Kaje and Maxine Aliyah. 

Kenneth continues to write and works closely with many theatre organizations. He has received membership to such distinguished organizations such as The Dramatist Guild of America and The Urban Playwrights United. 

The evening was well spent for all as the chairs where cleared after the play and the dance floor swelled with happily squealing dancing children. The production was hosted by Markee ‘D’ Ministries Club MD Positive Seed Clubhouse as the highlight for their quarterly event. 

The Reverend Marcus Dubman was more than excited to be able to host the production as it would not doubt stir the audience and he kicked off the evening with praise and worship accompanied by the praise dance ministry of Divinity 

Anointed Praise (DAP) and anyone who attends these events know that they’ll walk away not only entertained but encouraged and uplifted.

The mission of Markee `D` Ministries’ is to ‘establish different venues capable of reaching the community at large that is edifying and positive’. This ministry is committed to helping those in need by providing hope to the hopeless, spreading the word of nonviolence, providing job training opportunities, workshops, scholarships for youth, as well as providing food and clothing. These various venues are inviting to all ages, with an emphasis towards the challenges of today's youth. 

A native of Paterson, NJ Reverend Marcus Debnam aka Rev. Markee `D` is a writer, arranger, producer, recording artist and  founder, president, and CEO of Markee`D` Ministries, Inc which has several other venues under the ministry including the `CLUB MD Positive Seed Clubhouse`. For more information on Markee`D` Ministries, Inc., visit www.markee-d.com.

Rev. Marcus Debnam aka Rev. Markee 'D' kicks the night off

The audience sat in awe of the impending choice

Darion Bennett as Maleek Grant