For the William Tennent High School theater community, presenting its production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella on March 25-26 has been two years in the making.
In March 2020, nearly everything was complete. The roles were cast, the costumes were altered and the sets were intricately designed. But on March 12 of that fateful year, the story of Ella and Prince Topher came to a screeching halt when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. As schools, entertainment venues and the world shut down, that date marked the final rehearsal of Cinderella.
Now, after much anticipation, director Julie Flack and Centennial School District’s group of talented teens have been given the green light to move forward with the show.
“I’m excited, elated that we’re back on stage. It’s been a long time coming and it was hard not being able to do it,” said Flack. “But we had to stay safe and the district was making decisions to keep the kids safe and to keep the staff safe. So finally, here we are.”
Due to the lengthy postponement of Cinderella, many of the roles, including the two leads, had to be recast because the original stars graduated.
Playing Ella is William Tennent junior Adriana Fernandez, who boasts a longtime passion for theater. Since fifth grade, she has appeared in the district’s productions of Seussical Jr., The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
In 2020, Fernandez was cast in the ensemble for Cinderella, which she said follows closely to the Disney classic, just with a few changed names, added characters and more humor. Though she was disappointed that the show didn’t go on as planned in 2020 and that the original leading lady didn’t get the opportunity to shine, she’s honored to tackle the role of the iconic princess.
“I think Ella being a clever and funny character, as well as timid and charming, it’s so much fun to see her range of emotions in the musical. It’s definitely a challenge for me as an actress trying to do it. This musical has really helped me to grow outside of my comfort zone,” said Fernandez. “And I’m very happy that we’re able to be back on stage singing and dancing again.”
Her junior classmate Ethan Delgado is portraying Prince Topher in his inaugural musical. At first, Delgado was hesitant to get involved with his school’s theater program. But he’s glad that he did.
Regarding his royal on stage persona, Delgado said, “It feels pretty funny being Topher, seeing how naïve and nice he is. He doesn’t really know what’s going on. But it is fun acting out his development throughout the play. It’s fun to be a part of something that’s not your personal character.”
Delgado, Fernandez and the rest of the cast are mourning the absence of the students who graduated before Cinderella could come to fruition. In an effort to make it up to the alums, Flack has something special planned.
“We’ve invited anyone who was in the cast from 2020 to come back to the stage with us during the finale,” she said.
So far, according to Flack, rehearsals have been going extremely well thanks to the dedication of her cast and crew. This is why, even after retiring from the district following 25 years of teaching, she remains at the helm of the theater program, which she’s led for approximately 15 years.
“We have the best students here at William Tennent,” she said. “I can’t even tell you how hard they worked, and that’s from the cast to the stage crew to the pit, just really hard working kids that make it all happen.”
On the heels of each performance, the cast will be in the lobby taking pictures with attendees. Flack encouraged little ones to come in costume.
When asked to share a few final words on Cinderella, Flack’s response was simple.
“I think that people should come out to the show because they need to. I think people are tired of being home and this pandemic has taken a toll on certainly our young people, but a toll on everyone. Come out to a show and just feel like we’re a part of what we love again,” she said. “There’s such a happiness in the show and there’s such a happiness in the cast and crew that it’s contagious.”
Performances of Cinderella at William Tennent High School, 333 Centennial Road, Warminster, take place Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 26, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at bit.ly/35MrIM8.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
