DIRECTORS’ NOTE
Cinderella is a fictional fairy tale, but it's based on the ancient Greek story of Rhodopis in the 6th century BCE. It is also chronicled in Ancient Chinese texts. The story evolved over time into the well-known version told by Charles Perrault in 1697. The Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella is called Aschenputtel, which translates to "The Little Ash Girl" in English. It was published in 1812 in their book Grimm's Fairy Tales. This version had a very dark twist. The story was adapted into a Disney classic movie in 1950 and then became a theatrical musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. This original production aired on color television on CBS in 1957, starring a 17-year-old, Julie Andrews. Since then, It has been revived many times on Broadway and as adapted films.
Each version has changed to appeal to the next generation of children and adults. Our production is the 2016 Broadway musical. Cinderella faces a challenging life. With the encouragement from a Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is empowered to create her own destiny. She leaves the shoe!
Our throughline for Cinderella embraces this redemptive and empowering theme. You must choose your path; empathy, kindness, and respect will prevail over cruelty. They all lived happily ever after. The first moral of the story is that beauty is a treasure, but graciousness is priceless
The cast and crew are grateful for Stuart’s commitment and support in ensuring growth in personal responsibility, collaboration, self-confidence, creative problem solving, and leadership through arts education.
We know that you will enjoy this magical experience!
CAST
Cinderella.......................................................Alexandra Durish
Marie/Fairy Godmother..............................Dana A. Thompson
Gabrielle................................................................Sophia Feng
Charlotte...............................................................Ganeev Kaur
Madame....................................................Annika Aiden-Siegel
Sebastian..................................................................Milla Kress
Jean Michel...................................................Aryianna Johnson
Pinkleton...........................................................Juliette Vergara
Topher.........................................................Alexander Bryazgin
Duchess/Lady of Ridicule..................................Tirzah Twitchell
Fox ..................................................................*Naomi Williams
Raccoon...................................................*Karina Hannawacker
Knights/Men................................................................Ellery Badros
Ava Malaki
Kayla Jones
Aria Zhou
Penny Ye
Micah Davis
Emme Crawford
Roma Patel
Stella Wang
Izzy Stoltenburg
Duke of Cheshire..................................................... Milla Naumann
Earl of Cavendish................................................... Emme Crawford
Ladies............................................................................Vivian Wang
Elaina Ryan
Lydia Ward
Ashley Batz
Angelina Che
Gwen Carbine
Sarah Xian
Micah Davis
Tirzah Twitchell
Angela Zhang
Julia McGinty
*Dance Captains
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Act 1
“Prologue”………………………………….......................Ella & Chorus
“Me, Who Am I?”..........................Topher, Sebastian, Lord Pinkleton, Knights
“In My Own Little Corner”…………………….................Ella & Topher
“Your Majesty”…………………….................Lord Pinkleton & Topher
“The Prince is Giving a Ball/Now is the Time”…….............Sebastian, Jean-Michel, Lord Pinkleton, Madame, Crowd
“Cinderella March”…………................Madame, Gabrielle, Charlotte
“In My Own Little Corner (Reprise)” …………............…..Ella & Marie
“Impossible”……………………………………............…...Ella & Marie
“It’s Possible”……………………….…....................Ella, Marie, Chorus
“Ten Minutes Ago”……….……….……….............…......Topher & Ella
“Ten Minutes Ago (Reprise)”………….............................Ella, Topher, Lord Pinkleton, Guests
Act 2
“Stepsister’s Lament”……………………...................Charlotte, Ladies
“Call To Arms”…….......................Lord Pinkleton, Topher, Duke, Earl
“He Was Tall”…………………….………............…….…….............Ella
“When You’re Driving Through The Moonlight”……...............Ella, Charlotte, Gabrielle, Madame
Act 2, Cont’d
“A Lovely Night”……………..Ella, Charlotte, Gabrielle,Madame
“A Lovely Night (Reprise)”………….…….………...Gabrielle, Ella
“Loneliness of Evening”………….………..............Madame, Ella, Topher, Jean-Michel
“The Prince is Giving a Ball (Reprise)”……….……......Sebastian, Lord Pinkleton, Madame
“There’s Music in You”……………………….……….….......Marie
“Now is the Time (Reprise)”..........Jean-Michel, Gabrielle, Marie
“Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”………Topher & Ella
“Eight O’Clock And All Is Well”……….………..Charlotte, Ladies
“Ella in Rags”………………………………………………......Marie
“The Proposal”……………….……….…..Ella, Topher, Company
“The Wedding (Finale)”….………...Ella, Topher, Lord Pinkleton, Marie, Company
PRODUCTION CREW
Director.....................................................................Jan Baldwin
Technical Director...................................................... Walt Cupit
Musical Director...................................................... Kelsey Lewis
Choreographer.................................................. Jacqueline Silva
Assistant Director.........................................................Maya Dev
Assistant Technical Director....................................Allie Burgess
Stage Manager.........................................Aurelia Lopez-Spencer
Set Design...................................................................Walt Cupit
Costume Design.......................................................Laura Felten
Lighting Design...........................................................Walt Cupit
Sound Design..........................................................Tom Seeland
Technical Intern..........................................................Ryan Lagay
Mic Board Operators...........................Sophie Bogumil, Anna Xu
Sound Effects..............................................................Nana Larbi
Running Crew................................Zoe McDonald, Emily Harlan, Amanda Guadalupe
Tickets.....................Abby McKee, Brie Starghill, Jusan Williams
PIT ENSEMBLE
Violin.............................................................................. Elise Hwang
Clarinet...........................................................................Gloria Wang
Keyboard 1...................................................................Spenser Gallo
Keyboard 2........................................................................Heidi New
Drums & Percussion.............................................. Emmanuel Solano
Bass.................................................................................. Kai Gibson
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS
Maya Dev first took the spotlight in her dual role as Interplanet Janet and an “idea” in Schoolhouse Rock Jr. Then took her last bow as Scuttle in The Little Mermaid Jr. in 8th grade… until she decided to join the dark side. Ever since, while some say Maya Dev is the assistant director, others say she is a miracle worker. You may have seen her as a random girl in all black, moving the set in Sister Act, Shrek Jr., Mamma Mia, and Matilda. Maya’s pastimes include snatching phones, shushing people aggressively, and chewing gum into the headset to give others beautiful ASMR. Her special skills include cutting paper, seeing in the dark, and tripping over things. Being a part of the Stuart Production Team has been a huge part of her life, not only in building strong relationships but amazing memories. Maya is extremely thankful for the support of her parents, Mrs. Baldwin, Mr. Cupit, Ms. Silva, and Mrs Kosek.
Alexandra Durish is enchanted to play Cinderella in this year ’ s production of Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. It feels like only “Ten Minutes Ago,” Alexandra performed as a teacher in her first musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR., in fourth grade. After discovering her love for theater, she performed in many Stuart productions as JB in Unauthorized, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Joey in Sister Act, Midge in Mamma Mia!, Ms. Honey in Matilda, and a community theater production of Bye Bye Birdie. She would like to thank her parents for always supporting and believing in her artistic passions and for reminding her that nothing is “Impossible.” She would also love to thank Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Lewis, Ms. Silva, and Mr. Cupit for always being “In [Her] Own Little Corner” and teaching her the beauty of the arts. After being at Stuart for 13 years, her last show is sure to be bittersweet, but it will nonetheless be a “Lovely Night.” Next year, Alexandra will be attending Villanova University, where she hopes to continue her love for music and perform through acapella and other productions. Alexandra is currently finishing her original album, Letters to Loss, so stay tuned for a display this Spring!
Sophia Feng is ecstatic about playing Gabrielle in Cinderella this year. She has been involved in music for most of her life, singing in local concerts and events. She has competed and won awards in numerous music competitions, being a grand prize winner in the 2024 APEX International Music Competition for Voice. In sophomore year, she played Tess, one of Sophie's best friends, in Stuart's production of Mamma Mia, and starred as Amanda Thripp and the Doctor in Matilda during junior year. She will be attending Barnard College in the fall to study neuroscience and economics on the pre-med track but hopes to continue her musical passions there. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers who have unconditionally supported her and shaped her into who she is today.
Nyla Flamer is always late to the party…but always there to work her magic and help with anything in the musical crew! She loves watching the show come to life and seeing the cast and crew put together an outstanding show.
For the past three years, Amanda Guadalupe has been a key part of the stage crew, seamlessly managing costumes, quick changes, props, and set transitions while working closely with the cast and crew to ensure every show runs smoothly. Her stage crew journey began with Mamma Mia! during her sophomore year when she transferred to Stuart. For Amanda, being a part of the stage crew isn't just about working behind the scenes it is how she has built friendships and formed lasting connections across different grades. After Mamma Mia!, she continued with Matilda, further deepening her love for the process of bringing a show to life. Passionate about the arts, Amanda finds creativity not just in performing but in every detail that makes a production come together. While dance and artistic expression have shaped her journey, working backstage has given her a new appreciation for the precision and teamwork that elevate each performance. From long rehearsals to fast-paced, quick changes and shared laughter with the cast and crew, every experience has made the creative world even more meaningful to her. Her dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm have left a lasting impact on every production she's been part of. She will deeply miss these experiences and will forever cherish the friendships and memories that will stay with her long after the final curtain call.
Emily Harlan has been part of the musical crew for the past two years, working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. As a Stuart student for 14 years, Emily was part of the ensemble in Schoolhouse Rock Jr. in fourth grade and The Little Mermaid in eighth grade. In the crew, she is especially passionate about quick changes and managing the phone jail. She loves being backstage, always ready to jump in and help wherever needed. Next year, she will be attending Villanova University and is open to continuing similar roles. She would like to thank her Stage Managers, Maya and Aurelia, for their guidance and support.
Elise Hwang is thrilled to be playing violin in the pit for Cinderella. Previously, she played the keyboard in Matilda and has been dedicated to music from a young age, starting violin at four and piano at six. She will be attending Vanderbilt University to study violin and chemistry on the pre-med track and hopes to continue performing in pit orchestras. Elise is incredibly grateful to her family, friends, teachers, and mentors for their support throughout her musical journey. She is excited to bring this production to life and looks forward to many more opportunities to share her passion for music.
Aryianna Johnson is thrilled to be playing the change-maker, Jean-Michel, in this year ’ s musical, Cinderella. You may recognize her from some of her previous roles, including Miss Scarlett in CLUE, the Red Queen in Alice@Wonderland, Bruce in Matilda, and, most recently, Samuel Ratchett in Murder on the Orient Express. She has always had a passion for the arts, whether that’s performing on stage or working behind the scenes on the eighth-grade productions. She would like to thank her mother for staying late at school during rehearsals and always being understanding of her hectic schedule. She would also like to thank Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Lewis, and Ms. Silva for helping her develop her acting, music, and dancing skills—ones she didn’t even know she had. It will be bittersweet to leave Stuart, but she is proud to say that this show will be one for the books. She has had so much fun working with this amazing cast and crew. In the future, Aryianna hopes to continue her love for acting while also studying creative writing at Emerson College.
Milla Kress is ecstatic to finish off her Stuart theater career playing the role of Sebastian in Cinderella. Her passion for theater began when she watched her first Stuart musical and only grew when she took the stage for the first time in Schoolhouse Rock in fourth grade. Her Upper School years at Stuart were spent performing in every single fall play and winter musical. Highlights of her theater career include the roles of Ms. Peacock in Clue, the Cheshire Cat in Alice at Wonderland, and most recently, Princess Natalya Dragomiroff in Murder on the Orient Express. She is excited to continue her theater passion at Smith College next year and will be seen in the audience of Stuart productions (probably sporting a My Chemical Romance t-shirt) for years to come. She would like to thank every hardworking cast and crew she has ever had the pleasure of performing with and would like to extend a special thanks to every friend and family member who has supported her throughout the years. While this may be her final performance on the Cor Unum stage, she will forever remember the joy Stuart’s theater department has brought her.
Nana Larbi has been an active force in the school's musical program since the very start of her high school days. She began the journey as a freshman, stepping into the fall play Clue, where she worked hard working hours in crew behind the scenes, pushing furniture and setting up the next scenes. Next, Nana had the unique chance of working with the 8th grade on the production of Alice in Wonderland, where she was in charge of sound effects. Her most famous contribution?? The much-loved "BOING"-- the most favored sound effect of the show, which left the audience smiling every time it rang out in the theater. Nana’s passion for the theater continued to flourish, and she is now a crew member for Cinderella, running sound effects for the Musical. Her devotion to being a crew member and priceless skill of setting off memorable sounds have greatly shaped her high school journey. Looking forward, Nana hopes to stay active with the stage crew in college as a volunteer and keep her presence behind the curtain a part of her future.
It's "Impossible"— who knew Dana Thompson would be making her first Stuart Upper School musical debut as the Marie/Fairy Godmother in Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella? (trust me, she didn't know either). You may recognize her from her other roles during the fall play as Mrs. Helen Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express, Bonnie and Nichole in Theater and War, and The Caterpillar in Alice@Wonderland. Theater has always been a part of Dana's life from day one, from playing Mamma Bird in her elementary school play to Beatrice in Romeo and Juliet. Dana also has spent the past three years as a stage manager on the dark side, but then she left the dark side and is now stepping into the spotlight. Dana spends her free time playing the drums, reading romance novels, watching her favorite TV shows, and singing the Wicked soundtrack in the shower. Additionally, Dana is forever grateful for her parents' support and constant dedication to her theatrical pursuits. Many thanks go out to Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Lewis, Ms. Silva, Mr. Cupit, and Mrs. Kosek for making her believe anything is "Possible" and her fellow cast mates and crew.
Hear ye, hear ye! Juliette Vergara is debuting as a lead this year with Lord Pinkleton. You may recognize her from her other performative roles, beginning with the narrator in her elementary school's show, “The Marriage of Q and U.” At Stuart, she played Sister Gregory, Pool Player #2, and Taxi Driver in Sister Act. The following year, she reprised her role in the ensemble in Mamma Mia as Older Woman Attending Wedding. You may have noticed her dancing on the balcony in "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme." Since then, she has also gifted audience's ears with her skills as a bongo player, pianist, and maracas expert, and most recently has proven to be a truly skilled violinist in Coffeehouse. Most notably, Juliette dazzles audiences as a magician and has done so for the past 3 years. Coincidentally, she is available for hire. Please email positivelyjuliette@gmail.com, or ask Juliette the Dazzling for a business card. Above all, she would like to thank her family for supporting her since she was young and enduring countless concerts. Special thanks to her mom and dad for driving her to and from rehearsal every day, even when the schedule changed at the last minute. Additionally, Juliette feels eternally grateful for Ms. Campana and Miriam Pellicer, who encourage her to fight for the spotlight. Much love goes out to Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Lewis, Ms. Silva, the cast, and the crew. Juliette hopes to continue her acting career in some capacity in the future. Hollywood? But in all seriousness, thank you to all. And if you happen to need a magic queen, call Juliette the Dazzling!
PRINCE SPOTLIGHT: Alexander Bryazgin makes his official debut as Prince Topher in Cinderella! Coming all the way from High School South in search of new experiences, he decided to audition after being recommended by a friend. Alex is excited to show off his talents and improve his acting skills and hopes to participate next year as well. An avid lover of sports and art, Alex believes he has what it takes to conquer the role of the Prince. He’d like to thank Jan Baldwin, Isabela Stoltenberg, Allie Burges, and finally, his parents for their patience with all the transportation needs.
SPECIAL THANK YOU
Many grateful thanks to the following members of the Stuart family, without whom this production would have not been possible
Julia Wall
Parents and Guardians
Arts Angels
Marissa Muoio
Kristen Zosche
US Faculty
Melinda La Nasa
Laura Felten
Hilary Morris
Tracey Dev
Allie Burgess
Ryan Lagay
Town and Country Players
Kadance Robinson
Nyla Flamer
Kate Crandall
The cast would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs.Laura Felten for her tireless work on every costume in Cinderella. We are grateful to her for sharing her creativity, talent and love with our theater department for so many years. We love you!
FUTURE EVENTS
The Middle School Players Cabaret
March 6, 2025
April 11, 2025
All School Art Show & Spring Concert
April 16, 2025
Fourth Grade Musical: Disney’s Frozen KIDS
May 2 and 3, 2025
Upper School Prize Day
June 6, 2025
Commencement
June 7, 2025 Cabaret
Summer Middle School Performing Arts Camp, “Into the Woods”
June 17-28, 2025
DON’T MISS!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
THURSDAY MARCH 6 AT 6:00 PM
STUART LITTLE THEATER TICKETS ARE $5
Get ready for a spectacular night of entertainment at our Middle School Players Cabaret! Featuring an exciting mix of songs, dance numbers, and scenes from the musical theater cannon performed by our talented students, this showcase is sure to delight audiences of all ages.