“Cinderella” Captivates Audiences And Sparks Big Dreams

A near-full house on closing night left adults and children — many cloaked in ballroom gowns — with eyes spread wide as Northeast High School concluded its powerful three-night run of “Cinderella.”

The play featured captivating characters, ornate set design, superlative directing, seamless choreography and stunning costumes, with a fairy godmother strutting around in blue Converse sneakers and a bright blue beehive wig.

Sophomore Corrine Hensely stole the show as Cinderella. Her humble demeanor transformed from quiet servitude to poised elegance. “My favorite song is ‘In My Own Little Corner’ because I can relate to it. Anything [Cinderella] can imagine actually happens,” Hensely explained.

The play was Hensely’s third; she had previous roles in “Seussical the Musical” and “The Wizard of Oz,” starring as Dorothy. Passionate about being a theater major, Hensely loves the impact she can have on an audience. “When I’m in my wedding dress and I look at the children’s expressions in the audience and see I evoke a lot of emotion, that’s rewarding,” Hensely said.

Lionel, the prince’s royal steward, took the cake with one of the most entertaining performances. Ricky Dorby used his natural sarcasm, wit and gestures to incite chuckles from audience members old and young alike. “A glass slipper and a pumpkin, what a night,” Dorby said while stammering offstage. While the script may not inherently move an audience to laughter, Dorby’s pacing and mannerisms always did.

Next up on the entertainment scale was a dynamic sister duo. Grace, played by Morgan Coakley, and Joy, played by Julia Alexander, together had adults and children rolling in deep-seated laughter. Then, there was the charming and young Prince Christopher, played by theater newcomer and senior Nathan Plaza. “I love seeing little kids in the audience and know I have touched their hearts,” Plaza said.

“Cinderella” marked the ninth play for senior Emily Dumsha, who was cast as the snarky, highly critical stepmother. “I know I’m making people laugh,” Dumsha said. “I love entertaining people.”

Dumsha credits her mother for supporting her acting aspirations and allowing her to flourish onstage. Dumsha’s ultimate goal is Broadway, and she’s confident that Northeast High’s theater group is helping her get there.

The play’s director and full-time Northeast music teacher, Sara DelSignore, reflected on the students’ dedication and hard work, which lasted two and a half months. “What’s most rewarding is seeing the students fall in love with the stage,” DelSignore said.

Assistant director and choreographer Jennifer Kohlhafer has also witnessed each student’s transformation. “I have never seen anything like it,” Kohlhafer said. “I see the way they come together and support each other in all areas of their lives.”

Some cast members, like senior Joshua Santana, can’t get enough of the camaraderie. “I’ve been in every style show since freshman year, from Seymour in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ to Daddy Warbucks in ‘Annie,’” indicated Santana, who played King Maximillian in the “Cinderella” adaptation.

For each play cycle, Santana dedicates roughly 10 hours a week to rehearsals with the group. Now college-bound, he hopes to major in music performance and make his dreams of landing on Broadway a reality.

Perhaps for this tight-knit group of actors, there’s merit to Cinderella’s famous line, “If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”