Twinderella the Musical
A cast of 50 area students will take the stage March 18, 19 and 20 in a unique musical twist of the Cinderella story, this one featuring her long lost twin brother, Bob.
“Twinderella, The Musical” features Cinderella and Bob played by Megan Barnes and Alex Pickell who have been separated since they were young. Just as Cinderella has an evil stepmother, played by Alison Harvey, and stepsisters, played by Lexi Galliers and Julia Kirk, Bob has a cruel stepfather, played by Owen Needham, and stepbrothers, played by Nolan Nohr and Ryan Smith. As the heroine dreams of going to the ball, Bob dreams of attending the all-important, all-kingdom baseball game. Of course, essential to the tale are the Fairy Godmother and the Godfather played by Abby Miller and Lucas Stewart. Assisting them are the Enchanted Gerbils played by Faith Miller, Alison Turner, Lily Weber and Alex Stewart, and the Mobsters played by Brynn Niedziewicki, Mae Blansit and Emily Fagan.
Cinderella and Bob each meet that “special someone” at their respective events, and in turn lose a shoe. Prince Percy and Princess Petunia, played by Carson Perz and Sarah Forrester, must search the kingdom to find the rightful owners of the dance slipper and the baseball cleat. Lydia Kaniewski, and Linzy Monks serve as the narrators who, along with the Jesters, played by Abrar Ahmed and Dane Pickell, help lead the audience through the story.
The show is filled with other memorable characters including the King and Queen, played by William Odisher and Aja Cornwell, as well as Hayden Shimizu, Jeffrey Harvey, Bridgette Meyers and Anna Turner as their Royal Court. There is also Old Matilda played by Miya Rose, Lou the UPS Guy played by Blaine Haylett, the Sportscasters played by Mikayla Everline and Emily McIndoe, and Clock played by Abigail Needham. Also in the cast Makenna Squires, Jaden Swartz, Micah Lee, Shelby Taber, Sam Forrister, Audrey Waltke, Madison Hardy and Kaitlyn Noble are the Kids, and Corrin Cook, Rebecca Rinehart, Maddison Earl, Shawn Coleman, Paige Kirkpatrick, Anna Vorce, Madison Wilson are the Townspeople
The musical is directed by Julia Littley and produced by Tirsha Odisher. Music directors are Waive Wardwell and Nancy Mahle. According to Littley, “The kids have been having fun bringing this classic alive, and with a hilarious new twist! Working as a team has been challenging and rewarding this time around. It has been fun watching them grow together as friends, and as a group. That is the most rewarding part of putting on a show– watching the students make magic on the stage, and doing it together!”
The rest of the production team includes Laura Odom, costumes; Cindy James, make-up; Sherry Fagen, photography; Leon Kriser, sets; and Stacey Guertler, props, as well as numerous other parent volunteers. “Twinderella the Musical” is the latest production from Tibbits Young Audiences and features students in grades fourth through eighth from Coldwater, Quincy, Bronson, Athens, and Union City.
Kiwanis club of Coldwater serves as sponsor for the Tibbits Young Audiences productions. TYA presents programming for Branch County youth throughout the year, including two productions with students and programs for area schools.
“Twinderella, The Musical” is written by Charlie Lovett, music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur, and is produced in special arrangement by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.
Performances are at 7 pm on Friday, March 18 and 19 and at 2 pm Sunday, March 20. Tickets are $5 at the door, from cast members, or at the Tibbits office, 93 West Chicago St., Coldwater. Tickets are $6 online at www.Tibbits.org or by credit card. Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 S. Hanchett St., Coldwater. For more information call 517-278-6029.
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