Just as in the classic tale of Cinderella had until midnight out of fear to have her true self revealed- could I possibly wrap up how the amazing first show of Cinderella impacted so many, before midnight?

I’m up for a challenge – it’s 10:46 PM – let’s get down to the plain truth and do this.

First, if you miss the next two days of this Cinderella production, you will never know how much value you missed.

Seriously. Hands down one of the best first night productions I have ever seen and I might have to say, my favorite production I have seen at Woodbridge High School. I heard this sentiment repeated many times in thew audience as I made my way out – do yourself a favor, bring your small friends, older friends, and newly made friends- all of you will walk away with a little bit of amazement in your step- 10000% worth it – and not overstating that fact.

I CANNOT tell you how many lines hit into the center of the heart in times today where so many are afraid to stand up for what they believe, live in fear of what others might think, are afraid of what their peers and family will think in disagreement, afraid of being true to themselves and true to being kind, and resisting being different over what is right. All that from this production of Cinderella? I never walked away with so much from this tale before, which makes this production ever more powerful.

Also, I have to admit, being School Library Week, and seeing so many of these cast members in the library space, sometimes at their very best and laughing, sometimes are some of their low points and crying and upset – it made me so proud to see them on stage but also to know they chose a space I was in as well to work out what they had going on at that time.

I have been to several schools the last few weeks where you walk into the library space and it is as plain and sterile as a operating room, and that says alot abut how much that space was intended for who- students? No. For adults who wanted a presentable space but not really to cater to the population intended for? – but I digress. It is amazing what the youth I saw on stage brought out in this production that can be applied to our lives. Another GREAT reason you should not miss this – personal and really powerful on a variety of levels. It means even more when I have been seeing the hours put in by so many – on this production, and assuming I knew what was coming with knowing it was Cinderella production and then REALIZING how different a message I received in watching it.

Phenomenal.

10:56 – Let’s break out some personalities.

Madison- All you need to see and hear is the emotion Madison is able to put forth and you think you are watching the second week run of this production. Whether you have seen Madison before, or the first time you have seen her in a production, her voice carries the very feeling she is assigned to portray on stage- and can carry you to the fairy tale at hand or to the reality of her presence on stage – but you will understand in seconds why she is Cinderella. I have had the advantage of hearing her laugh, (some true deep stomach aching laughs) and had the advantage of simply seeing her kindness and openness. It is refreshing to see someone as if you are seeing them for the first time on stage – but that is what makes Madison so talented- I could never see/hear enough of her on stage 🙂

Johnny- I would have to say years back I would not have expected Johnny to carry the roles he has carried, but carry them and lead them he does. His strength and boldness comes out full force on stage, and in the halls, you wouldn’t expect it just in seeing him in school. Yet, when you see him off stage and then on stage – it strengthens the image of what he is capable of even more. There certainly is strength in acting as well as conducting oneself in real life, and Johnny does both quite well. Very very refreshing to see such a talent in so many ways and see him shine in the way that he can do best.

Te’Neal – What can I say? Her boldness, outgoingness, and talent poured into this character make madame be exactly who you would want her to be as in a tale such as Cinderella. Coming off of JUST having her art piece as the cover if this year’s imazine presented the night before, and having her as a part of the student lobbying delegation to legislative hall this year with Madison and Carly, one realizes to take advantage of opportunity one must be willing to put yourself out there and not thing of consequences. Te’Neal does that in all she does, and hence, Madame is brought out past the stage due to the personality she brings to this production.

Cameron- Having seen Cameron before, he certainly can be the character you love to hate, dislike, and admire at the same time. Being able to bring emotions out from the audience to the person he is on stage is not as easy, not easy at all, as it sounds. Cameron normally, on a first night, would be just hedging that character role and yet, no. No “getting there but it is the first night” feeling, he brings the reality of Sebastian’s overbearing to light immediately and it pays off in the overall feeling he adds to this production.

Emerson – I have been lucky enough to have come to know Emerson and her family and having the pleasure of knowing her better and better gradually. The one thing I realized immediately on stage is that the power of her voice and talent when she is given the characters she has been given- matches the selflessness and quiet demeanor. But she will surprise you every time. Hands down she is one of those students that you pay yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for knowing and having had the chance to cross paths. Emerson is just overall a good hearted, talented individual and you can’t help but smile when you see her in costume (be it trick or treat, a production, or some other random reason). All you need to do is see her on stage once and you’ll understand – and her lines toward the end alongside her proclamation singing? – Amazing aspect of Cinderella.

Jaleya – Ever hear her sing at the sporting events? If not, well, YOU NEED to catch that! but it is hard to miss the enthusiasm she brings to this if you watch her from ball to crowd, to overall bustling among the community of cast- you get a sense of her being an active part of the production.

Rylee- Always ready to fool you into thinking she is a linger back kind of actor, she is not. When you hear the parts she contributes to and watch how she actively becomes a part of this production, it might seem subtle at first. Yet, watch her and listen to hr and you will pick up right away she brings much talent to any role she is placed in, and enhances the production quite easily when you see the parts she accents.

Robert- Part of realizing what a great contribution Robert plays is in knowing him. In talking with him and sensing his love of all things cooking, D & D and fantasy, writing, his creativity, all this just gained from the conversations we have had in the library- but in not having the luck of knowing that aspect of him, you still glean what part he plays. Watch his intensity and earnestness in every role you see him take on, dancing, part of the crowd, a merchant, and so many more – but he owns every role and brings them to life. It is exciting to see him being a part of this production, he adds ALOT of personality at every turn.

11:32 – I’ve got this because the cast is able to give me so much to say from their performance.

Onwards!

Abby and Carly- SUPERB! Not knowing these young ladies, they define the hilarity, obnoxiousness, and character that the sisters of Cinderella shadow. Knowing them, wow. Both are such strong young ladies in ways such as theatre, singing, art and more, and I could not be more proud of them – as they brought these and so many more talents to this production. It is funny knowing these students and then seeing them on stage with their know personalities and only adding to them, which they did to such a high degree. Abigail, absolutely hysterical and great to see the humorous parts I do not get to see every day and the tenderness and kindness Carly brings to her role matches what I see and she is capable of every day.

Tanner – WOW. Just WOW. He broke out of the quiet shell you always see in the library and really became a center of personality and breaking out boldly here. Kudos to him on the highest level, it was so exciting to see him take this role and then push it to the boundaries of endearment, laughter, contemplation, and representing the move towards standing up for things many choose to ignore. He did a MAGNIFICENT job and seemed to get only stronger and bolder as the production advanced.

Olivia- Holy wow! There are so many opportunities that exist that you get to see the full potential of aa great voice and the personality she can have. Sometimes it is easy to overlook her potential as she is reserved and insular, but there are SO MANY opportunities that you get to see what Olivia is capable of. She has come SUCH A LONG WAY on stage as well as academically, personally, and seeing her find her way through all these challenges, on and off the stage- is bittersweet but is something you can celebrate with her as she helps others find their way too in this production.

I have to tell you, Serenity from the ensemble told me ahead of time I was going to love this, and I thought, Cinderella, I mean, I am sure I am going to love it for knowing the students in it more than anything. Wellllll, that is part of it but also, the themes and messages dealt out the way the cast was able to personalize so much of this production, I loved it for even more reasons. Serenity always takes on that which she might have doubts about, and she did not disappoint at all. Love her boldness and determination.

I have to tell you, I am super proud of Allison in this production. I have seen this young lady roll through the various trials and obstacles that would put most people out of a daily ability to cope and she has done this and ten times more. Her energy, optimism, and ability in this production are impossible to overlook and miss and I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD of what she brought to Cinderella and epitomizes what is possible you know what is right and are determined to see it through.

Isabel as part of the ensemble as well as just full of character, personality, and expression. This is her on a regular basis anyway and yet, she easily supports the power of this production with her amazing voice and ability no matter what her character would be. She has and does bring the energy and enthusiasm to the stage and you see it every time you watch her in the roles she takes on, on stage.

Speaking from experience, Adria is one of the strongest, most talented, and capable young ladies that Woodbridge has ever met. She is determined, and always exciting to see her involved in WHS productions. She pretty much defines the power a Raider has and it is awesome to know she is the very heart of many messages Cinderella sends out.

Brooke, from experience, is a talented and quite capable addition to Cinderella. Having been a part of the podcast interview crew from Steve Inskeep when he visited, she is quite capable of anything and is never been known to back away from a challenge. One sees her putting herself right in the middle of any task at hand and yep, she will come through with all colors as a result.

Shayla, Zaleigh, Keaton, Maya, Leonel, Gabby, Arianna, and Ethan, if you watch each one of them, are similar to lead roles in the way the conduct themselves. That is why they are part of this production. Watch them closely and you will see how the define the roles, themes, and messages Cinderella sends out- and each one of them is able to do this through their actions. This does not happen by accident!

As if these were not enough, the young cast of Cinderella is the icing on the cake. Harper, Cambree, Jeri, Myles, Brooklyn, Gabriela, Maddy, Janessa, Will, Ryan, Ashton, Teagan, Rhyann, Stevie, and Emmy, you help define the very purpose of Cinderella. Kudos to the amazing talent you brought.

So much more to say, BUT, midnight tolls. Now your turn to see what makes this stick with you beyond midnight and into 2025.

Priceless!