Kalamazoo

At its heart, Kalamazoo is a reminder that it is never too late to start over, never too late to surprise yourself, and never too late to let someone bring a little more color into your life Kalamazoo spoke to me in a very personal way.

I understand what it means to wait for love and finally find it when you least expect it. I know what the phrase “opposites attract” truly feels like. My wife and I could not be more different, yet somehow together we create something stronger, warmer, and more complete than either of us could alone.

That idea became the foundation of our production design. The stage begins as an all-white world: white walls, white furniture, white architecture. At first it feels like a blank canvas, but it quickly becomes clear that nothing is truly blank. We all carry our histories with us — memories, heartbreaks, joy, and loss — even when we are trying to begin again.

As the story unfolds, color slowly begins to fill the space through light and projection. Inspired by the idea of colors mixing together to create something new, the design reflects what happens when two people allow themselves to connect. Different personalities, different histories, different perspectives — all blending together into something unexpected and beautiful. What I love most about these characters is their honesty. They know who they are. They are comfortable in their quirks, habits, and imperfections, yet they are still brave enough to try something new. Brave enough to be vulnerable. Brave enough to believe that adventure, romance, and connection are still possible.

Josh Iacovelli, Director

This show is sponsored by:

Producers for this show include: 

• Irene Darocha & Michael Picariello
• Eunice & David King
• Victor Keen & Jeanne Ruddy
• Becky Kriebel
• Leslie & Myles Martel
• Catherine Rein
• Lynn Martenstein & Jorg Pawlik
• Jeannie & Jim Testa

Click here to watch the official casting announcement video for Kalamazoo.

Marlena Lustik played Candy Starr in the original “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and played in the original Pulitzer Prize winning “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds”. She played on Broadway in “Foxy” with Bert Lahr, “Days in the Trees” with Mildred Dunnock, “Pousse Cafe”with Lilo and Theodore Bikel and in “A Seagull” at the Kennedy Center with Colleen Dewhurst, Paul Winfield, Kelly McGillis, Kevin Spacey and David Straithorn. She returned to the Kennedy Center to play with the Goodspeed Opera Company in “Lady Be Good”. She starred in the horror cult classic “Scream Bloody Murder” and the feature film called “Times Square”. Ms. Lustik appeared on television in “Rodeo Red and the Runaway”, “With All Deliberate Speed”, “Not Worth a Continental” and on “Another World”. At Cape May Stage she has played in “Lend Me a Tenor”, “Boeing Boeing”, “I Hate Hamlet”, “Dead Man’s Cell Phone”, “Steel Magnolias”, “Outside Mullinger”, “The Lion in Winter”, “Barefoot in the Park” and “Adopt a Sailor – the Holiday Edition”. She is also a director and playwright.

Roy Steinberg made his Broadway debut in the Tony nominated “Wings” opposite Tony Award winner Constance Cummings and his off-Broadway debut in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with the Jean Cocteau Repertory Company. He played opposite Academy Award winner Christopher Walken and Tony Award winner Tony Shalhoub in “Measure for Measure” directed by Academy Award nominee John Madden at Yale Repertory Theatre. He performed with Academy Award winner William Hurt in “The Rimers of Eldritch” at the International Drama Festival in Dundalk, Ireland. He has performed at our nation’s leading regional theaters like the Kennedy Center, New York’s Public Theater and Santa Fe Festival Theater. Mr. Steinberg has played the title roles in “King Lear”, “Richard III” and and “Macbeth” and a host of classical roles across our nation. He has been an Equity Guest Artist at Tufts University, Lehman College of the Performing Arts, University of Rochester, Muhlenberg College and has taught at UCLA, NYU, Berea College and New York Conservatory of Dramatic Art where he also sat on their Board of Directors. At Cape May Stage, Roy Steinberg has played in “Lend Me a Tenor”, “Red”, “Barefoot in the Park”, “The Lion in Winter” and “Adopt a Sailor – the Holiday Edition”. He is also a director and producer with four Emmy nominations for that work.

“Kalamazoo” is written by Michelle Kholos Brooks and Kelly Younger.

Michelle Kholos Brooks is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter whose work has been produced nationally and internationally. Her plays have received national playwriting awards and festival honors, and have been developed at leading regional theatres and new play conferences across the country. In addition to her theatre work, she has written for film and television, bringing a sharp ear for dialogue and a deep understanding of character to all her storytelling. With Kalamazoo, she combines warmth, wit, and emotional insight in a sophisticated romantic comedy about second chances.

Kelly Younger is a playwright and screenwriter known for smart, character-driven comedies that explore relationships with humor and heart. His work has earned festival recognition and development support from prominent theatre organizations nationwide. In addition to his stage work, he has contributed to film and television projects, showcasing his versatility as a storyteller. As co-creator of Kalamazoo, Younger blends sharp comedic timing with tenderness, crafting a story that celebrates courage, connection, and the possibility of new beginnings.

Kalamazoo Program (2026)