When the lights dimmed in the auditorium and the soft notes of the overture began to rise, it was clear that this was not going to be an ordinary school musical. Our production of Cinderella brought a timeless fairy tale to life with color, charm, and a surprising amount of heart. While the story is familiar, this year’s cast and crew worked hard to make the magic feel brand new.
The performances were from November 14th to November 16th at the Herrin Civic Center. Crowds packed the seats to watch the highly anticipated show.
From the very first scene, the audience was pulled into Cinderella’s world, a place of daydreams, chores, and hope for something better. The student who played Cinderella, Sarah Johnson (12), gave the character a gentle strength, showing not just a girl who wished for a different life, but someone who believed she truly deserved one. Sarah said, “ I loved the show. I made so many good memories from the first rehearsal to our last performance.”
The Prince, played by Holdyn Westberry (12), brought a charming sincerity to the stage. His scenes with Cinderella felt natural and sweet, especially during “Ten Minutes Ago,” one of the most memorable musical numbers of the show. The ballroom scene was a standout moment as the ensemble filled the stage with elegant choreography, waltzing, and lifts filled the stage, transforming the Herrin Civic Center into a royal palace for a few precious minutes. Holdyn stated, “Playing this role was one of my more unique roles out of all of the shows I have done in my high school career, and I made a ton of memories that I am going to take with me forever.”
The stepfamily added a hilarious spark to the show, their exaggerated personalities filling the stage with laughs. The actors playing the stepsisters, Abigail Thompson (12) and Vee Wilson (10), leaned fully into the comedy, stumbling around in over-the-top costumes and delivering sharp one-liners. Even the stepmother, also known as Madame Imogen Coop (11), brought a dramatic flair that made every scene she entered feel larger than life. Imogen Coop said that “playing the role of Madame was one of my most memorable moments in high school theater.”
But the magic of Cinderella would not be complete without, well, the magic. And our production did not disappoint. One of the biggest highlights of the night was the transformation scene. With swirling lights, clever staging, and a wave of the Fairy Godmother’s wand, Cinderella’s rags shifted into a sparkling ball gown right before the audience’s eyes. The Fairy Godmother Cain Simmons (11) delivered powerful vocals and a warm presence that made the moment feel truly enchanting. Cain stated, “This show was so magical from the cast and the people who helped with the show. I loved playing the Fairy Godmother.”
Beyond the glittering gowns and familiar songs, the heart of the production came from the teamwork behind the scenes. The student-run crew handled set changes smoothly, especially during the carriage sequence and the ballroom transition. Costuming students worked tirelessly on gowns, suits, and whimsical outfits that helped shape the world of the story. Kaytlyn Dodson (12) stated, “It was really tiring sewing all of the costumes together and shaping them for each actor, but it was all worth it in the end”.
In the end, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella reminded everyone in the audience that dreams can come true with a little courage, a little kindness, and maybe a dash of magic. As the cast took their final bow, the cheers spoke for themselves. It was a night full of fairy-tale wonder, created through weeks of dedication, creativity, and passion from the entire team.
