PARIS – For the first time in its 25 years, the Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association is presenting a young people’s play. It’s “Cinderella and the Glass Slipper,” a full-length musical with a cast of 21, ranging from novices to seasoned performers.
With the opening on Thursday, June 21, director Robin Galley held the technical run-through. “They all looked so wonderful,” Galley said. “The costumes are gorgeous, and you forget these are kids. They are becoming the characters.”
The lead role of Cinderella will be played by Patience Moxcey of West Paris, a freshman at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. She has little experience on stage, but, she said, “I tried really hard at the auditions.”
Despite her name, it was an anxious wait for Patience until news of the casting choices came.
“When the producers called, I could hardly hear them because my mother kept repeating, ‘Did you get the part? Did you get the part?’ When I learned that I had, my heart stopped, my mother screamed and we called everyone in the family. We’re all so excited,” Patience said.
Andy Fickett of Harrison, an OHCHS junior, plays her Prince Charming. He recently had the title role in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” the first student musical presented at OHCHS in more than 20 years.
Abby Goldberg and her best friend, Molly Seigel, both seventh-graders, travel from Bethel to be in the show. Abby, who plays Mistress Haughty, performed in OHMPAA’s “The Music Man” in 2003, and she has a role in the independent film “Country Girl,” which will be released this summer.
Abby said she dragged Molly along to the audition. Molly doubted she would win a role, but she was cast as the Fairy Godmother.
A talented trio will take on the roles of the stepmother (Megan Osgood, a junior from Paris) and the two “ugly” stepsisters (juniors Kaitlyn Parsons of Norway and Ashley Dickinson of Paris).
The audience will especially enjoy the trio’s rendition of “Ladies of Fashion.”
Keziah Lee of Norway has the role of the Queen. She is 16 and will be on stage with her younger sister Moriah, age 12, in the role of Pumpkinhead, while brother Isaac, 14, will be backstage on the set crew. They are home-schooled.
Kelsie Davidson of Oxford, also home-schooled, teams up with OHCHS students Janelle Raven of Otisfield, who has performed with Lake Region and Deertrees, and Kayla Newmeyer of West Paris. Together, they form a band of singing and dancing Citizens.
Kayla, a senior, is heading off to study theater in college. She played the Pouf Girl in OHMPAA’s production of “Something’s Afoot” last fall. She also was stage manager for OHCHS’ “Charlie Brown.”
Another senior in the cast is soloist Christie DesRochers, who opens the show as the Troubadour. She has been chosen for All State chorus three times and just finished the role of Lucy in “Charlie Brown.” She, too, is heading off to college to continue her studies in musical theater.
Cody O’Connor, a junior who plays the Captain, has never been in a play before. “This is definitely a new experience for me. During the day in school, I appear quiet, but the stage releases me. It makes me feel good. It is like nothing I have ever done,” he said.
Sarah Brown of Paris, also a junior, is cast as Lady Ursula Ursula. Seventh-grader Lauren Galley of Waterford plays the apprentice to the Fairy Godmother. Another seventh-grader performing in the show is Brittany Turnbull of Oxford.
Three additional busy students have experience in other productions. Sophomore Jon Potter of Norway turned in a capable supporting role performance in OHMPAA’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” in May.
Ninth-grader Nick Frank of West Paris was in “Charlie Brown.” Laurie Riihimaki, an OHCHS student, has been in several productions, including “Step On a Crack,” a show that went to Maine’s one-act play festival.
Ten-year-old Will Kyle from Rowe School plays Cat, but he is no novice. Will has appeared in five plays, including “Annie Get Your Gun,” a 2002 school/community musical. He also has performed in a Poland Community Players’ Shakespearian production.
Will, as Cat, has a brief scene-stealing bit as he chases a little mouse across the stage. Mouse is played by 5-year-old Julie Bruce.
Galley has been artistic director of the Children’s Theatre Division of Playhouse 1960 Community Theatre in Houston. A professional dancer, she was formerly a Houston Oilers cheerleader. She teams up with Musical Director Shirli Allen-Heald, one of the founding members of OHMPAA.
Pianist is Dawson Hill, a well-known actor and musician in the Oxford Hills, who has moved back after living in Boston for a while.
Music and lyrics of “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” are by Bill Francoeur, with book by Vera Morris.
Go and do
WHAT: musical “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper”
WHO: Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association
WHEN: at 7 p.m. June 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30; at 2 p.m. June 24 and July 1
WHERE: Paris Hill Academy
TICKETS: $8 for adults, $6 for children and seniors. Tickets available at Books N Things on Main Street in Norway
CALL: 739-6200
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