Quincy Music Theatre presents Cinderella

Almost forty-eight hours after Quincy Music Theatre’s previous blockbuster adaptation – The Addams Family – ended, the beginning of a new play was in the works. A play that is sure to bring much cheer to the local area.

For this Winter holiday season, the Quincy Music Theatre–located in the Leaf Theatre of Quincy’s Historical District–shall be putting on Cinderella: Youth Edition.

Based on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s interpretation of the timeless fairytale classic, this show shall be the synthesis of the long history of the many Cinderellas hitherto adapted into in a variety of formats. The famous plot of this fairytale involves the ever-persecuted Cinderella (Lynley Kendrick and Caitlin Holliday), who, unacknowledged by society, toils in labor competing with two equally vain step-sisters, Portia (Camille Ervin) and Joy (Teren Roberts).

Under the constant thumb of a resentful Stepmother (Kaylie Jackson), a fairy Godmother (Kinsley Revell) and her ensemble of White Mice (Katelyn Bishop, Haley Bruner, Kalexy Cervantes, Julia Cox, Baylee Dishong, Adrian Gordon, Cai Hewitt, Ariel Hill, Elizabeth Horrell, Anayah Ignacio, Taylor Green Malson, Isabella Norris, Jocelyn Bella Santana, Claire Schultetus Emma Wells) takes sway and pity on the stricken Cinderella as fate befalls her and so does the interested eye of interested young Prince (Kaden Revell) who seeks the approval of his parents, the King (Jessie Sanders) and Queen (Ruby Rudd). All of this, through mere chances of fate and the fall of a single slipper.

With a vast cast of various actors across backgrounds, experiences, and between the ages of 5 through 18, Cinderella: Youth Edition is directed by Jennifer Holliday, with music directed by Jessica Ogden and choreography by Amelia Brancaccio. More than fifteen technicians, designers, managers, and crew members will be supporting the cast of twenty-six in the rafters and on sound boards during the performance. After a three-day process of selecting actors for their roles, the practice and fine-tuning then became the enactment for all involved.

Ensemble actor/featured dancer Ariel Hill and ensemble actor Cai Hewitt dance, while Fairy Godmother (Kinsley Revell) can be seen in the background.

Herald (Anna Jackson) and Ensemble Actor (Cai Hewitt) are pictured during a dress rehearsal.

Stepmother (Kaylie Jackson) watches as Joy (Teren Roberts), and Portia (Camille Ervin) fi ght.

Lynley Kendrick plays Cinderella in her fi rst performance at Quincy Music Theatre.

Jennifer

Holliday -

Director

“This is my first ever performance in the directorial role,” said Jennifer Holliday. Having performed at Quincy Music Theatre beginning in 2018, in the ensemble of High School Musical, Jennifer, rapidly, learned the tricks of the trade from a posse of thespians at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, before graduating in 2021. Having done Chorus from a young age, her childhood music instructor also instilled in her a love for theatre, which ran concurrent to that of chorus. Her mentors have included Naomi Rose-Mock, Scott Leaman, Jessica Ogden, and Gerry Nielsen – all major players in the Big Bend thespian scene.

All-in-all, she has been performing in theatre for the last eight years in all manner of roles, technical and performance. Outside of role performance, her tutelage has included run crew, stage managing, and house management.

“I am completely interested in how things are pieced together, especially in how to ‘block’ – as how shows are staged together from scratch. Being able to bring to life the classic and yet timeless tale of Cinderella and mentor and teach young performers has been a dream come true. Taking on this project has been a whirlwind of emotions and has been frustrating, terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Working with a story as well-known and loved as Cinderella has been both a joy and a challenge, and I hope the audience can enjoy our take on the fairy tale.”

Also particularly inspirational to the production were the 1950 Disney animated film, the 1997 film starring Whitney Houston, and the general concept of escapism, Holliday said.

“I’d like to thank the amazing cast and crew of Cinderella who have been amazing to work with and made this show everything it is,” Holliday expresssed. “I would be lost without their unconditional support and guidance. The love and effort they’ve poured into this production has been incredibly moving, and seeing their love and passion for their crafts has been extremely motivating.”

Allison

Wotherspoon – Stage Director

For approximately eight years and all throughout high school, Allison Wotherspoon has been making a name for herself in the Tallahassee-Quincy-Monticello Community. Firstly acting in minor roles, Allison then transferred roles requiring much more managerial roles, which she excelled in through a combination of learning and logistics.

“I have been assistant manager to a play twice, and this then would be my third time as stage manager,” she shared. “It involves one of a few things: first, keeping things organized, keeping track of actors and being in constant contact with them, the prevention of any conflicts, and generally making sure all is well on stage and in the theatre.”

She, having done shows at TCC and at Lincoln High School, said this is her first time working at the Quincy Music Theatre in any capacity. Enjoying viewing the production of the play from afar, Allison essentially enables seamless the growth and development of a play from first rehearsal to opening night. The story of Cinderella, according to her, is about the overarching growth of a girl who herself believes she is average and stuck in a bad situation only for things to work out in her favor.

“It – theatre – is a good outlet, a fun experience. Everyone, I think, should do something in theatre, if only just once.”

Lynley

Kendrick - Cinderella

One of the two Cinderellas, Lynley Kendrick’s first performance at the Quincy Music Theatre was in Elf, two years ago in 2021. Her attraction to the art of theatre came from Music Lessons Express in Tallahassee; as there often is a conflation of the act of the singing, performance, and the memorization of lines and routines, the role simply, fit like a glove – or a slipper, in this case!

As many others in the cast and crew, Lynley has been performing in theatre from a young age, as a general interest since sixth grade. She performs and attends high school in Wakulla

County, whilst maintaining musical hobbies – she plays violin, cello, ukulele, piano, clarinet, in addition to doing vocals. This is her first role in a non-school setting, and her first at Quincy Music Theatre.

“Without having the time to sit and reflect during the pandemic, I do not believe I would have had the necessary confidence boost to be here today,” Lynley said.

The role of Cinderella is quite sweet, and such fun it is to have such child-like innocence, to then realize anything is possible.”

Lynley’s ultimate goals are to follow theatre as a profession, and to, within close bounds, make the leap from theatre to the Silver Screen.

But she is looking at all of her options.

Caitlyn

Holliday -

Cinderella

Opening as Cinderella, Caitlyn Holliday started theatre when she was merely nine years old. The impressions on her grew watching her older siblings – her older sister is the director – perform, and she thereafter realized she sought after theatre as something she wanted to do.

“This is my 15th show, and my 6th show at QMT. It is my first time too in a main role.

Cinderella is an interesting character. Quite frankly, I felt I would play characters with a more confrontational role in the script, but neatly I have settled in to play the role of Cinderella, who is nothing less than proper, yet timid.”

Currently a student at Florida State University School, after high school Caitlyn is looking into majoring in biochemistry at the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland. Outside of school, she performs at the other acting institutions in Tallahassee – Stage11, and MADCO. Most recently, she performed in the show of SpongeBob SquarePants.

“The process of theatre is so fun, and I am dreadfully upset it shall all be over soon. We have a talented cast here, full familiar faces, veterans and first-timers.

“We’re all excited Currently, the cast and crew remain in Tech Week. That is, the week before the opening, diligently plotting,” Quincy Music Theatre’s executive director Olga Connolly said. “Everyone is excited about opening, especially opening the night of the Christmas Parade here in Quincy. We hope to brighten up the Holiday front, - look for bright, neon Leaf!”

Performances shall take place at Quincy Music Theatre at 118 E. Washington Street. Showtimes are as follows:

Weekend 1

Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m.

Weekend 2

Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 10, 2:30 p.m.

Individual tickets for Cinderella, Youth Edition can be purchased on the theatre website (www.quincymusictheatre.com) or by calling the Box Office (850-875-9444).

Ticket Prices for Cinderella, Youth Edition are the following: Adult: $12.00 ;

Students (of all ages): $7.00.

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Quincy Music Theatre presents Cinderella

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