Cha Cha Productions

The Producer

Charity Cassady – Producer / Casting Director

A Seattle native, Charity Cassady brings a broad range of experience to any project she works on.  Her interest in the arts was cultivated in her late teens while studying at Seattle Central College and it was at this time she decided to participate in the booming Seattle theatrical scene.  After auditioning and being cast for a small theater troop of four African American women, she co wrote and starred in Bigger then a Bread Box, a  production that was picked up by numerous theatres and universities across the nation including such cities as Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago and New York just to name a few.  Charity continued to write and became the Assistant Casting Director to the Artistic Director of the Alice Theater company during two of their seasons.  She then joined KYIZ, Seattle’s only black owned radio station in January of 2002 where she quickly developed a fan base as “Lady Cha Cha” the only female DJ personality on the station.   In the summer of 2002 Charity began her own production company, with a focus on comedic and independent film productions Cha Cha Productions became a premier source for the finest in comic entertainment. 

The Company

Cha Cha Productions

CCP is a multi faceted entertainment entity led by Charity Cassady, focusing on Independent Film Production.   Unique in that they strives to provide a large variety of quality services, Cha Cha Productions consultants and crew are considered veterans in the industry and lend their expertise to a new and innovative production model.  With “in house” departments including Writing, Casting, Accounting, Editing, Unit Coordination as well as an expert Production and Directors unit working cooperatively we are able to acquire projects and see them through to final editing in a  timely and cost effective manner.

The Projects

Projects completed thus far are as follows:

Speedy Late Night

Executive Produced by Jamie Foxx and taped at Glendale Studios this show was created, co-written and co produced by Cha Cha Productions in association with Fast Mouse Films.   Speedy Late Night is a finished prototype for what is best described as what you would get if you combined the very best parts of  “The Chris Rock Show”, “Saturday Night Live”, and “The Tonight Show”. Complete with some of the funniest comedy sketches written, the groovy old school funk sounds of the Polyester Players as the house band and the affable and witty Speedy dialoging and keeping it real with some of Entertainment and Politics most sought after personalities,   Speedy Late Night delivers a unique combination to entertain and enlighten its viewers.  Special guests included Clifton Powell (Friday after Next, Dead Presidents, and Ray) and MC Lyte (Platinum Recording Artist and Activist) as well as performances by Poet CoCo Brown and up and coming Soulstress Makeeta Birdsong. The combination of the celebrity interviews and poignant and uproarious comedy sketches makes this half-hour variety show attractive to wide range of audiences.

All Star Weekend Comedy Jam

Hosted by funny man Speedy and Guest Hosted by NBA All Star Chauncy Billups,  This star studded event was filmed live in Denver, CO and featured VH1 commentator and HBO star Shang as well as many other top comedians from BET and Def Comedy Jam. (Copyright 2005)

Speedy’s Folk’s Volumes 1, 2 & 4

A Stand Up Comedy DVD which brings to light a new era of urban comedy entertainment like no other.  Fifteen year stand up comedy veteran Speedy (Jamie Foxx Show), hosts some of the hottest urban comedic talent on the circuit in the original city of sin, Las Vegas.  With Big Les (National Security)  and Melanie Comarcho (3 Strikes)  giving the ladies all the ammunition they need to keep their men in check and Tony Roberts (Just Add Water) and Derrick Ellis (Comicview) dishing it right back offering a whole new twist on the male - female perspective and life in general.  A packed house and an eye candy set make this comedy DVD 90 minutes of unforgettable side splitting entertainment.  Volume 2 was filmed live in Los Angeles and featured Bo Bo Lamb. Kenny J, Edwin San Juan and reppin for the ladies was Tasha.  Volume 4 was shot in November of 2006 and kept the talent showcase heated with veteran Steve Brown as well as Daniel Dugar, Gerrard Guillory and hometown favorite Ralph Porter.  Look for the series this year on your local video store shelves. (Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006)

The Main Event Comedy Series

The Main Event Comedy Series, Round 1: ATL vs. LA played to a packed house of comedy patrons eager to see the Dirty South and The West Coast represent for their cities. This cutting edge comedy event featured the Contenders, from Los Angeles…Cortney Gee and Lester Barrie representing the comic heat of the West Coast VS.  Atlanta’s own Tyler and Dontee Ray, doin’ their best to rep the Dirty South.  The entire evening was hosted by BET veteran and celebrity event host, Speedy.  (Copyright 2004)

Upcoming projects slated for production in 2007 are listed as follows:

The Main Event Comedy Series Volumes 2-5

Volumes 2 – 5 include comedy contenders facing off from cities including New York, Seattle, Detroit, Cleveland, DC and more.

One Time

A feature film telling the story of Reggie Mcdaniels, a good looking L.A.P.D.  Detective living well and doing fine for himself.  With his sexy car, closet full of Armani suits and winning smile he seems to have sailed comfortably on the high road to success making him the envy of his co workers and the object of desire for any lady with the least bit of an eye for taste.  But after one too many ego driven decisions on the job and in his personal life he is about to taste the other side of success…failure. After making a decision in the field that may have cost his partner the use of his legs, Reggie finds himself facing an insurmountable level of guilt and trapped in a downward personal and professional spiral trading his beloved BMW for a borrowed bucket on wheels and his fancy detective’s digs for some white gloves and a traffic whistle.  Trying to regain his dignity and respect among his co-workers and the woman he loves, he and his long time friend and new partner, Clarence Witherspoon attempt to solve the prostitution murders that have begun to reoccur on McDaniel’s old beat by themselves.  Their journey almost kills their friendship and takes them on a colorful tour that will have he and his new partner crossing paths with political dignitaries, broke ex pro football players, militant poets, thieving drug addicts, engaging pimps and of course a gay club…just to name a few.  (Copyright 2004)

Living All Alone

The Phyllis Hyman Story:  A feature film telling the story of a gifted soul and jazz singer whose music transcended emotion and life experience.   As she shared her artistic gift with the world her own personal story was one riveted with extreme highs and devastating lows resulting in her taking her own life in New York City hours before an appearance at the legendary Apollo Theatre. This epic filmography chronicles the cherished good times and the grievous events that led to this statuesque starlet’s spiral from drug abuse to eventual death.  (Copyright 2006)