Descendants
DISNEY’S THE MUSICAL
DIRECTED BY ANNIE PERUSEK
May
7, 14 & 15, 2023
Joseph & Florence
Mandel Jewish Day School
Book by Nick Blaemire
Music Adaptation by Madeline Smith Vocal and Incidental Arrangements by Madeline Smith
Orchestrations by Matthew Tishler
Music Produced by Matthew Tishler
Additional Lyrics by Nick Blaemire
Songs by Johan Alkenas, Adam Anders, Aristeidis Archontis, Antonia Armato, Howard Ashman, Par Astrom, Stephen Mark Conley, Doug Davis, Charity Daw, Andrew C. Dodd, Josh Edmondson, Pipo Fernandez, Nikki Hassman, Samuel Hollander, Ben Hosteler, Tim James Price, Hannah Jones, Jack Kugell, Craig Lashley, Andrew Lippa, Jeannie Lurie, Alan Menken, Grant Phillip Michaels, Anthony Mirabella, Shayna Mordue, Chen Neeman, Susan Paroff, Shelly M. Peiken, Joacim Persson, James K. Petrie, Adam Schlesinger, Adam Schmalholz, Tyler Shamy, Jodie Shihadeh, Nikki Ann Sorrentino, Thomas Armato Sturges, Ali Dee Theodore, Matthew Wong, David Zippel
Based on the Disney Channel Original Movies written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Pariott
MANDEL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF CLEVELAND
de l Je w i sh Communi t y Center
Man
4,
DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Message from Emma
Dear Playmakers families and friends, Welcome to Disney’s Descendants, a Playmakers premiere and the last show of our 2022-2023 Season! As you journey with us to Auradon and the Isle of Evil, we hope you will join us in thanking our wonderfully generous friends at The Joseph & Florence Mandel Jewish Day School. Mandel JDS so graciously opened their doors to us after our original venue, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, experienced a fire earlier this spring. We feel grateful as ever to be part of the supportive and resilient Cleveland Jewish community! This season, we partied at an 80s wedding, wiped away tears during “Edelweiss,” and saw dancing dressers and napkins come to life in Inside Beauty & The Beast. Now, we have the joy of bringing a Disney mega-hit from the big screen to the stage. What a way to end a whirlwind year!
The story of Descendants is one of community, togetherness, perseverance, and true friendship – all values we teach and celebrate at Playmakers. It feels right, too, that during our season “honoring the past and looking towards the future,” we’re showing a contemporary twist on some of the most classically well-known Disney tales. What strikes me most about this story is that the message at its core is the message at our core, too -- we are better and more powerful when we are team. At Playmakers and in Auradon, we learn that every voice deserves to be heard, that every individual belongs, and that there’s magic in togetherness. We are so proud of our two remarkable casts who’ve demonstrated those very ideas since their first rehearsal, and I am so thankful to Annie and our outstanding production team who’ve brought Descendants to life with patience, heart, and imagination.
We hope to see you this summer at a camp show or at our fan-favorite 24-Hour Musical (save the date: July 15) and as we unroll exciting news about next season.
Enjoy the show, Emma
The 2022-2023 Playmakers Youth Theatre season, our 25th anniversary year, is dedicated in loving memory to longtime Playmakers Costume Designer Linda Joynt (z”l). Linda made Playmakers a place where generations of children and teens felt loved, comfortable and ready to shine on stage from head to toe. We miss her deeply.
Message from Director Annie Perusek
“We’re better together, stronger side by side…” You’ll hear these words and this theme echoed throughout our presentation of Descendants. It’s been my pleasure to witness this reality throughout our production process as well! In my opinion, there is no better classroom for the art of collaboration than theatre. When producing a show, we learn how to work within the whole and discover that every person, both on and off stage, is important in bringing the story to life for our audience. Often in rehearsal, I have seen the students helping one another, encouraging each other, and using their individual creativity to raise the quality of our whole production. Our young artists have shown they understand that we truly are better together! I’m new to the Playmakers family and I’ve been so kindly welcomed and supported by our production team and students. My heartfelt thanks to our wonderful core production team: Emma, Liza, Adri, Joan, Jessie, Aviva, Marin, and Phoebe. We are certainly “stronger side by side” and your hard work and dedication is so appreciated. Special thanks to my family for making it possible for me to work on this show, your encouragement means the world to me!
Annie Perusek Director, Disney’s Descendants
Please consider helping support our matching grant through The Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Your contribution will go directly towards enhancements and improvements that will make our technical equipment as magical as the Playmakers experience and will give kids and teens the summer of a lifetime at The Francine & Benson Pilloff Family Performing Arts Camp.
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Cast of Characters MAY 4 & 7
Isle of the Lost
Mal ......................................................... Indira Dobbs
Evie ........................................................ Sofia Lazzaro
Jay .......................................................... Lielle Greler
Carlos .................................................... Moriyah Roland
Maleficent .......................................... Bianca NK Bittencourt
Grimhilde (Evil Queen) ........................................ Alexa Zitelli
Jafar .................................................... Daniel Groysman
Cruella De Vil .................................................. Atara Sher
Auradon
Ben ........................................................ Avraham Haas
King Adam/Beast ........................................... Josh Buchner
Queen Belle.
Atara Hochheiser
Fairy Godmother ........................................... Isabella Sweet
Jane .................................................. Louella “Lulu” Segal
Chad ........................................................ Lucy Hinton
Audrey ................................................... Neshama Teller
Doug ..................................................... Shira Glickman
Maurice.................................................. Claire Feldkamp
Coach ................................................... Vivian Goldstein
Snow White ..................................................... Orli Teller
Royal Page ................................... Sophie Brown, Kayla Zeffren
Royal Guard ............................................... Owen Holmes
Auradonian Choir
Eliana Cole Brown, Maggie Carr, Haley Morris, Caroline Siwick
Coronation Crowd
Aya Balkan, Oliver Crabtree, Bella Elmalich, Logan Feher, Eliana Heching, Eleanor Horn, Charlotte Myers, Emma Scher, Kayla Schwartz, Serena Schwartzben, Pearl Segal, Orly Shoag, Cindy Sun, Ayden Zukowsky
Playmakers Jr. Ensemble
Hazel Bruch, Fleur Carr, Sibby Duttweiler, Woodsie Duttweiler, Blaine Feher, Audrey Friedman, Cece Friedman, Coco Johnson, Rosie Johnson, Beatrice Myers, Nili Roland, Caroline Tomer, Daisy Segal, Danika Shaper, Ava Sopko, Ethan Spence
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cast of Characters MAY 14 & 15
Isle of the Lost
Mal ...................................................... Sasha Silverman
Evie ........................................................ Lauren Lyden
Jay ........................................................ Liora Fieldman
Carlos .................................................. Federica Salvagni
Maleficent ............................................... Sadie Schonfeld
Grimhilde (Evil Queen .................................. Kendall Silverstein
Jafar ........................................................ Josh Buchner
Cruella De Vil ................................................Astrid Burkle
Auradon
Ben ........................................................... Maya Zelin
King Adam/Beast ........................................... Lucien Apffel
Queen Belle.
Hannah Lindberg
Fairy Godmother ...................................... Brooke McCullough
Jane ........................................................ Coretta Klein
Chad .................................................... Henry Friedman
Audrey ....................................................Hannah Singer
Doug ..................................................... Sydney Karfeld
Maurice................................................... Sophia Morrow
Coach ....................................................... Talya Phillips
Snow White ............................................... Molly Weingart
Royal Page ................................... Selah Eisenberg, Zorrie Lefko
Royal Guard ............................................ Charlie Schonfeld
Auradonian Choir
Eliana Cole Brown, Kaylie Cohen, Chaya Laytin, Emily Lubow, Rutie Sanders, Margalit Shuck
Coronation Crowd
Isla Brown, Lily Bruch, Oliver Crabtree, Logan Feher, Emily Goldenberg, Anna Graves, Malcolm (Mac) Klein, Sarah Markowitz, Naomi Miller, Harper Stein
Playmakers Jr. Ensemble
Hazel Bruch, Fleur Carr, Sibby Duttweiler, Woodsie Duttweiler, Blaine Feher, Audrey Friedman, Cece Friedman, Coco Johnson, Rosie Johnson, Beatrice Myers, Nili Roland, Daisy Segal, Danika Shaper, Ava Sopko, Ethan Spence
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Musical Numbers
Act I
Better Together (Prelude 1) ........................................... Ben
Rotten To the Core (Part 1) .............. Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, Isle Ensemble
Rotten To the Core (Part 2) .................. Evie, Jay, Carlos, Isle Ensemble
Evil Like Me ............................................... Maleficent, Mal
Be Our Guest (Part 1) .................................... Auradonian Choir
Be our Guest (Part 2) ..............................Chad, Auradonian Choir
Good Is The New Bad (Preprise) ......................... Fairy Godmother
Good Is The New Bad (Part 1) ............ Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, Auradonians
Good Is The New Bad (Part 2) ..... Douge, Audrey, Chad, Evils, Auradonians
Evil Like ME (Reprise 1) ................................................ Mal
Rotten To The Core (Parents Revenge ) . Maleficent, Jafar, Grimhilde, Cruella
Goal .................. Jay, Carlos, Mal, Evie, Ben, Chad, Coach, Auradonians
Good Is The New Bad (Reprise 1) .............................. Auradonians
Ways To Be Wicked (Preprise) ......................... Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos
Did I Mention (Prelude) ............................................... Ben
Did I mention ........................... Ben, Jay, Carlos, Evie, Auradoninas
Better Together (Prelude 2) ....................................... Ben, Mal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intermission (10 Minutes)
Act II
Space Between ..................................................Mal, Evie
Chillin’ Like A Villain (Part 1) ................................ Evie, Jay, Carlos
Chillin Like A Villain (Part 2) ........................... Evie, Jay, Carlos, Ben
Good Is The New Bad (Reprise 2) .............................. Auradoninas
If Only ........................................................... Mal, Ben
Ways To Be Wicked ...... Audrey, Chad, Evils, Ben, Auradoninas, Evil Parents
Go The Distance ....................................... Auradoninas Choir
Evil Like Me (Reprise 2) ......................................... Maleficent
Better Together ................................................. Company
Break This Down ................................................ Company
Production Team
Director ................................................... Annie Perusek
Assistant Director ........................................... Eliza Kammer
Playmakers Youth Theatre Director ........................... Emma Miller
Music Director ............................................... Joan Bendix
Choreographer ..................................... Adri Powell Lawrence
Playmakers Jr. Director ....................................... Jessie Pollak
Scenic Design ................................................ David Wagar
Graphic Design ............................................ Rifka Claypool
Sound Engineer ............................................ Bobby Vaughn
Lighting ................................................. Hannah Hulewat
Stage Managers .............. Phoebe Litwak, Marin Millstone, Aviva Soclof
K-2 Assistant ................................................ Hannah Light
“Techies” ................... Abs Burkle, Oliver Goldstein, Eliana Lehmann, Emunah Lehmann, Dylan Rocker
Special Thanks
Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Janice Adell, Debbie Arnold, Romi Balkan, Perry Bataglia, Deborah Bobrow, Glenda Bogar, Jason Bricker, Jill Cappy, Larry Chiu, Kyle Cohen, Ben Crabtree, Michael Cunningham, Jill Davidson, Danielle Eisenberg, Mia Euton Goldstein, Laurie Gross-Kammer, Sheri Gross, Ron Hale, Hawken Middle School, Dave Holland, Desmond Jones, Josh Kammer, The Joseph & Florence Mandel Jewish Day School, Abby Lausin-Berkowitz, Steve Miller and Suzanne Fisher, Kelly Millstone, Andrew Newman, Jack Ovalles, Gary Patrick, Abbey Phillips, Matt Putnam, Nate Ramos, Aaron Reynolds, Jodie Ricci, Jamie Ross, Gil Rubanenko, Sara Shore, Julianna Johnston Senturi, Tami Sidhu, Lindsay Silverstein, Laura Simon, Barbara Smith, David Vegh, Jelanie Watkins, Tom West, the Mandel JCC Support Staff, and all of the supportive volunteers – a million thanks!
Mazal Tov to our Mandel JDS Stars!
Bianca Bittencourt - Maleficent
Liora Fieldman - Jay
Charlie Schonfeld - Royal Guard
Sadie Schonfeld - Maleficent
Sasha Silverman - Mal
Hannah Singer - Audrey
Maya Zelin - Ben
We are so proud of your hard work both on and off the stage! You shine!
Congratulations Atara and the entire Descendants cast! You guys did great!
AVI AND DEENA SHER
LOVE
You are Our graceful star!
We are blessed to hear your angelic voice and see you shine on stage
Live your dream & Break a leg!
YOUR VERY PROUD MOM, PAPA, NANA, AUNT DEBBY, UNCLE KC, AUNTIE CASSANDRA, AARON AND YOUR CUZZIES KENNY, CASSIDY, & KAMERON
Congratulations
Indi!
Sofia aka Evie!
We are so proud of your hard work and preparation to perform in this show. We love watching you shine on and off stage.
LOVE, BUBBE AND ZAYDE
We love you Maya Zelin!
You are a star!
LOVE, DAD, MOM, NOAH, SADIE AND ROXIE
Coretta and Mac
We are so excited to see you together on stage! Break a leg!
LOVE FROM ALL YOUR FAMILY FANS
AS ALWAYS, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU Eliana!
We love you, support you, and cheer for you in every step of your life journey! ULI!
MOM & DAD
Sofia,
We are so proud of you for all the effort you put into preparing for the show and your commitment and dedication during a very busy time. We are proud of you today and always!
We love you! Mommy, Daddy, Sammy & Victor
We are so incredibly proud of you!! You will always be our star!!
LOVE, GRANDMA PHYLLIS AND GRANDPA JOE
Hannah Singer!
Sasha
We are so proud of you as you take the stage as Mal in the production of Descendents! You shine as a performer and a beautiful person.
WE LOVE YOU! MOM, DAD, AND RAFI
CONGRATULATIONS
Molly
We are so proud of our favorite reporter.
LOVE, MOM, DAD, RYAN AND FERGIE J. CAT
Dear Molly
We love watching you shine on stage!
LOVE, GRANDMA & GRANDPA AND GRAMMY & ZAIDA
Break a leg
We Love You!
MOMMY, ABBA, MOLLY, AKIVA, GOLDIE AND BAMBA Shira!
YOU ARE AWESOME Serena! We love you! MOMMY, DADDY, JONAH, AND MAX We are so proud of our favorite reporter. Congratulations, Molly! LOVE, MOM, DAD, RYAN AND FERGIE J. CAT
Molly
We love watching you shine on stage!
Love, Grandma & Grandpa and Grammy & Zaida
The Belle of the ball!!
WE LOVE YOU, GRANDY, GRANDPA, AND UNCLE DAVE
Hannah
CONGRATULATIONS
EMMA! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND LOVE WATCHING YOU PERFORM! YOU’RE OUR STAR!
LOVE, MOMMY, DADDY, AUDREY AND JULIA
So proud of you Caroline and Haley!
LOVE WATCHING YOU SHINE TOGETHER GIRLS! XOXO
Congratulations Henry & Cece! Lielle!
ALL YOUR HARD WORK IS PAYING OFF!
POPPA AND BUBBE
The most beautiful Jay to grace the stage. Break a leg!
Love you
Mommy, Abba, Maya, Jonah and Zoe
Emma,
Maggie and fleur!
We can’t wait to see you shining bright on stage!
We are so proud of our Queen Belle!
GOOD LUCK TO HANNAH LINDBERG AND TO THE ENTIRE CAST!
ALL OUR LOVE, MOMMY AND G’PA
LOVE, MOM, DAD AND JOSH
Hannah!
We are so proud of you! Enjoy every minute of the production.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH! BEBE AND PAPA
We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see you shine on stage as Evie!
LOVE, MOM & DAD
Lauren
Chaya
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE AN AMAZING SINGER AND DANCER!
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.
Love, Dad
CONGRATULATIONS Indi!
We are so incredibly proud of you and know that you are going to do an amazing job as Mal!
We love you so much. Break a leg!
LOVE, UNCLE KC, AUNTIE CASSANDRA, KENNETH, CASSIDY & KAMERON
Break a leg, Indi!
You’re going to be the best Mal!
Keep on Shining sophia
WE LOVE WATCHING YOU PERFORM.
LOTS OF LOVE, MOM, DAD AND WYATT
~DYLAN, ELLA, & MADDIE
Margalit
We’re So Proud of You!
We know you will be a shining star.
LOVE, BUBBE AND ZAYDE
Selah!
YOU ARE AN AWESOME ROYAL PAGE. CONGRATS ON A GREAT SHOW.
LOVE MOM, DAD, SOLLY, LEVI AND SELAH
Sadie &
Congratulations
“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.”
- The Greatest Showman
You do you, no matter where that leads you.
WE LOVE YOU, MOM AND DAD
We are so very proud of you!
Love, Mommy, Daddy, Ben and Harry Emily! Charlie
Eliana Heching
“Did we mention” how proud we are of you and all your Playmakers friends?!
Our love for you is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!
Keep singing, dancing, and laughing!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!
MOMMY, DADDY, ASA AND ZEEVA
You truly are our own BEST Fairy
Godmother.
WE LOVE YOU
Margie!
Playwright.
Imagination. Joy.
And now Actress!
There she goes, Our Sunshine!
NANA, POPSIE & EMA
<3 MOMMY, DADDY, ELIANA, EZRA, AND LEV
Hannah, ISA
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Swim Team Prep Class
Wednesdays June 7 – July 26
Thursdays June 8 – July 27 6:30-7:30 pm
NEW Youth ages 6 and older looking to further develop backstroke and freestyle strokes will enjoy this summer training class in The J’s outdoor pool. Coaches will focus on the foundations of these two strokes and will explore breaststroke and butterfly. Registration opens May 15
Member $160 / Community $200
JOIN THE J IN MAY
GET ONE MONTH OF CLUB J ON US
Already a member? Here’s how you can get one month of Club J free
• Swipe 10 times in May and be entered in a drawing
• Refer a new member who joins The J
BE
REMEMBERED FOREVER
Mandel Jew ish Communi t y Center FOR INFO CONTACT TRACI E. FELDER, CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER tfelder@mandeljcc.org • 216-593-0456
Join us as the curtains rise at Mandel JCC’s largest annual family-friendly fundraising event in celebration of 25 years of Playmakers Youth Theatre.
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PURCHASE A PLAYBILL AD
August 23, 2023-June 7, 2024
Introducing a Reimagined Out-of-School Program
• Discover new interests and hobbies
• Create in a variety of mediums
• Play with friends new and old
• Learn while doing homework
• Connect with friends while disconnecting with the school day
Register early for priority access to enrichment classes. Registration opens May 18
SAVE THE DATE
AUGUST 31, 2023 • MANDEL JCC
AFTER SCHOOL • SCHOOL’S OUT • VACATION CAMP
Kids Club
Mandel Jewi sh Communi t y Center
