About the Show
"There are so many versions of Cinderella’s story that you lose track of what she looks like, what she’s supposed to be wearing, and if it even ends happily ever after. No matter what version you are seeing at its core, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella remains a heartfelt tale of the girl from the cinders who connects with her prince. But each version of Cinderella shows her to be a little different, whether tried and true (Original), an outsider hoping to find her way in (Enchanted Edition), or forthright and kind as she tries to change the prince into a better man (Broadway Version)."
"I fell in love with the Broadway version a few years ago. The way Ella takes control, changes the world, and gets the guy at the end is a refreshing look at this classic story. The story is poignant and timely but also timeless."
"The vision for OLTs production is to bring together a talented group of people as a community to create a magical experience for the audience. Give the young audience members the thrill of seeing a pumpkin become a golden carriage. Then make the adults in the audience think about how Ella should behave and what is right for the people in the story."
Cast
MELODY APPEL (Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to the OLT stage! She previously appeared in “Radium Girls” as Harriet Roeder. Before that, she starred as Libby Tucker in “I Ought to be in Pictures” at Nutley Little Theater. Aside from performing, Melody is proud to be a children’s theater director and teacher. She has worked at numerous theater companies in NJ and is working to become a school drama teacher. Melody holds a BA in theater from Montclair State University. Melody wants to thank the cast, crew and production team for all their hard work and dedication in bringing “Cinderella” to life.
LISBETH AQUINO (Ensemble) is beyond excited to be a part of O.L.T’s production of Cinderella. She is a senior at Lodi High School, and this is her first time participating in a Musical. She is greatful to be introduced to such a welcoming community, and would like to thank Ryan McCann, Samuel Porter, and Nell White for encouraging and supporting her.
NOVA BOEHM (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be performing in his first community theater production at OLT. He has in the past performed in two high school productions including Shrek(Ensemble) and Spamalot as the homicidal maniac Lancelot. He wants to thank Louis,Ryan, Porter and Nell who have encouraged him in auditioning and creating a present for himself on the stage. He would also like to thank his Mother for supporting him in his pursuit of the theater
VIVIAN BROCK (Marie) is excited to return to the OLT stage with such a talented company! Previous credits: Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), 1776 The Women's Congress (Abigail Adams), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife/Jack's Mother/Cinderella’s Mother/Granny/Giant), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), A Time and a Place (Sydney), Company (Susan), Godspell (Sonia/Gilmer), West Side Story (Maria). She holds a BA in music education with a concentration in voice from The College of New Jersey and teaches choir in Pompton Plains. Vivian also teaches dance for the Filipino School of NY & NJ and sings as a soloist/cantor/section leader at many community churches. She is incredibly grateful to Louis, Ryan, Dawn & Evan for giving her the opportunity to play such a magical role and to Jason, Jocelyn and Addison for their love and support! This performance is dedicated to Nin, the best godmother ever!
JAN EGGERS (Ensemble) is thrilled to once again be gracing the OLT stage! He is excited to be working with such an amazing cast. He was last seen in Big Gay Cabaret her at Old Library Theatre. Other Credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Bergen County Players. Titanic the musical, Vintage Hitchcock a Radio Play all at Old Library Theatre. Other credits include; Passion of Dracula as Dr Cedric Seward, Ferrovious in Androcles and the Lion, Ensemble in Cabaret and a few other productions from his days at Baruch College. He was also seen as Pawnee Bill in Annie get your Gun at the Hudson Guild Theatre. He is incredibly proud of his two children and always amazed by his loving wife. Thank you for your enduring love and support.
ANTHONY FINKE (Prince Topher) is 22 years old and recently graduated from Rowan University with a BA in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Musical Theatre and Design/Tech and a Minor in Dance. He's elated to be back on the OLT stage after a 2 year hiatus, as he was last seen in 2022 as 'Walt' in It Shoulda Been You. Some of his most notable roles include: Disney's Newsies (Race), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Matilda! The Musical (Michael Wormwood), Singin' in the Rain (Cosmo Brown), Mamma Mia! (Sky), and Frozen the Musical (Prince Hans). When he's not on the OLT stage, you can find him on “The Slime Stage” hanging out with some of his incredible Nickelodeon friends such as Spongebob & Friends, The Paw Patrol Pups, The TMNT and more at Nickelodeon Universe in American Dream Mall, East Rutherford! "I would like to thank my beautiful girlfriend Millie for always supporting me through life, my #1 supporter MeMa and my friends and family for helping me chase my dreams. A huge thank you to Louis, Ryan and the entire production team for allowing me to check off a dream role! Sit back, relax, make sure you got both shoes and enjoy the show!" All socials: @ant.finke
PAUL FOSTER (Sebastian) is delighted to return to OLT as Sebastian. He has been enjoying playing parts where men grapple with their fading powers. Most recently, he played a jaded Dr. Berensteiner in OLT’s production of A New Brain. As Edgar in OLT’s Titanic he struggled to contain his excitable younger wife as Edgar before going down with the ship. In Clifton’s Jesus Christ Superstar, he explored the corruption inherent in power as Caiphas. And in a Baltimore production of Mama Mia, he played Harry, the father who discovers that while striving as a competent banker, he had lost his joyful rocker core. Paul denies that these roles reflect in any way the themes of his own life and career as an academic internist, husband and father.
JOANNE GUARNACCIA (Madame) was last seen as Maria Callas in The Bergen County Players production of Master Class. Other roles:
BCP-33 Variations; Kathryn Brandt. Veronica's Room; Maureen/Veronica. Getting Away with Murder; Paula. Bell, Book and Candle; Gillian. A Midsummer Night's Dream; Titania/Hippolyta. Beehive The 60’s Musical; Various. Comic Potential; Carla. Company; Joanne. The Women; Miriam.
Players Guild of Leonia-Postcards From a Dead Dog; Nell, Follies: Phyllis. Damn Yankees; Doris. Drop Dead; Mona/Bette. Guys and Dolls; Adelaide. Love Loss and What I Wore; Gingy. The Comedy of Errors; Courtesan. High Society; Liz. Hoodwinked; Prith. As Bees in Honey Drown; Alexa. Dracula the Musical?; Von Helsing. The School for Scandal; Lady Sneerwell. Breaking Legs; Angie
Hudson Theatre Works - Shelly; Older Claire
Italian American Repertory Theater - Love Letters; Melissa. Talk Radio; Various
Joanne is an operating room nurse. Over the years she has appeared in films, industrials, videos and commercials. She is grateful to Louis, Ryan and to the wonderful cast and crew of Cinderella. 4S/4D/8G!XXXOOO
REILLY HACKER (Ensemble) is an AEA eligible NJ/NYC based actress with a Bachelor's Degree in Theater from Ramapo College of New Jersey with concentrations in Acting, Directing, and Stage Management as well as a minor in Digital Filmmaking. Some of her previous credits include Mina in Mina, Meg March in Little Women, Kathryn Schaub in Radium Girls, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Agatha in Frankenstein, Officer#2/Musician in Twelfth Night, and Greek Chorus in Antigone. She has received reviews such as “Hacker becomes a mesmerizing shapeshifter...it is a bravura performance” (BlogCritics) for her work in Mina and was also nominated for The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Irene Ryan Acting Award for her role as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and received a certificate of merit for ensemble work in Twelfth Night. Reilly would like to thank her friends, family, and mentors for their constant love and support and the team of Cinderella for making this experience a positive one. She hopes the audience enjoys this version of this classic story.
JACKI HERZOG (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be making her OLT debut in Cinderella. Some of her favorite roles include: A nicest kid in town (Hairspray), Lois Lane/Bianca Minola (Kiss Me Kate), Taylor McKessie (High School Musical), and Soupy Sue (Urinetown). Jacki received a BA in Theater Studies from Montclair State University. Jacki teaches second grade and is the Drama Club advisor for two elementary schools. She can also be found choreographing numerous shows throughout the year. She would like to thank her family for all of their support and Louis, Ryan, the production team, cast, and crew for all of the hard work that they put into this production.
LAUREN JESKE (Ensemble) is delighted to be making her OLT debut in this magical show! Previous credits include: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying! (Smitty) and All Shook Up (Mayor Matilda) during her time at Paramus High School, as well as a soloist in “Cabaret of Dreams” last summer in Pompton Lakes. Lauren just graduated and earned her BA in Theatre Studies from Montclair State University, where this past year she was the Head Dramaturg in the mainstage production of Macbeth. She is so grateful to be a part of this show and wants to thank the very talented directors, cast, and crew for all their hard work in making this production come to life. Huge thanks to all the family and friends that come see the show and support her on and off the stage, and to her parents for their constant love and support through everything. Hope you all enjoy!
AMANDA LESLIE (Lord Pinkleton) is tickled pink to be making her return to the OLT stage in Cinderella, after taking a break from playing Courtney in OLT’s rendition of Legally Blonde. Amanda is a graduate of Montclair State University, having obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2013. She currently works in medical billing during the day but can be found performing in local community theatre productions. She is also a seasoned flautist and in her spare time plays with local community bands and wind symphonies. Previous credits include Elf the Musical (Chadwick), Legally Blonde (Courtney/Ensemble), The Sound of Music (Ensemble), and RENT (Maureen). Thank you to Louis, Ryan, and the production team for this amazing opportunity to check a box on her theatre bucket list, to Reegan for helping her sound amazing, and to mom and Nelson for their endless support.
AUBREY "AJ" LEVINSON (Gabrielle/Dance Captain) is so excited to be returning to the OLT stage for the second time this season and fourth time overall! She has previously appeared as Kate in Wild Party (2019), a featured dancer in The Prom (2023), and a soloist in the “Big Gay Cabaret” (2024). AJ’s biggest passion has always been the stage, and she is so grateful to OLT for providing the opportunity to do what she loves with such a wonderful cast and crew. She is especially grateful to her husband, Jacob, who has offered enthusiastic and unwavering support, and who has spent countless lonely hours while AJ was off rehearsing. She couldn’t do it without you!
JOSHUA NIEVE-SILVA (Jean-Michel) is ecstatic to be involved in his first production with the OLT. Joshua is a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he earned a master’s in data science. Previously, he graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s in mathematics. Prior theater productions include: The Skin of Our Teeth (Mr. Antrobus), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), and Jesus Christ Superstar (King Herod). He currently teaches mathematics at Piscataway High School.
Joshua would like to take the opportunity to thank his family and friends for their continued love, support, and encouragement. He would also like to thank the cast and crew, all of whom put their hearts and souls into creating such a wonderful production!
VERONICA PAPIANNI (Ensemble) is so grateful to be part of yet another production here at OLT. Veronica is a graduate from Rutgers University and NJIT, where she received her B.A. in Theater Arts with a concentration in Performance. Some of her favorite theater credits include: Vivienne Kensington (Legally Blonde), Mrs. Mushnik (Little Shop of Horrors), Donna Sheridan (Mamma Mia), Mrs. Tottendale (The Drowsy Chaperone), Hope Caldwell (Urinetown: The Musical), and Helena in Shakespeare’s (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). She is currently an educator at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark where she teaches Acting and Musical Theater to a wide range of young emerging artists.
Veronica would like to thank her family and friends for all of their endless support and her wonderful fiancé, Lukas, for his continued encouragement throughout it all. “I love you, always and forever!”
KATIE PERLAS (Ensemble) is excited to be back at OLT! She’s used her background in classical singing to support OLT as Elle’s Mom in Legally Blonde and in other fundraisers and concerts. She’s so thankful to be performing with such a talented group of actors, musicians, and crewmembers, and she’s ever thankful for her handsome husband, found family, and precious pets.
BRONWYN POLLOCK (Ensemble) is pleased to join the cast of Cinderella as it is her last community show before she enters Hofstra University. Her stage credits range from dizzy damsels like Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, to villainous men like Captain Hook in Peter Pan, to pangender Gods such as Papa Ge from Once on this Island. Other performances include cabarets, school productions, and 976 public renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Future performances include a stint as a Finalist in the “Miss Teen New Jersey” pageant in August. She’d like to give an enthusiastic “BAL” to all her fabulous castmates and a kiss to her favorite audience member, Mihael. Enjoy the show everybody!
BRANDON SALDANA (Ensemble) is super excited to perform in “Cinderella”. This is his second time participating in a musical and this won’t be his last. Brandon is thrilled to be part of the Ensemble. Brandon would love to thank his incredibly supporting family, friends, and girlfriend. He would also like to thank Nell White, Ryan McCann, Samuel Porter, the cast and crew, and the orchestra. He would finally like to thank Lois Bernice for all the hard work he’s put into the production and the only reason he made it to rehearsals. Now don’t lose your shoes and enjoy Cinderella!
NIKKI SIMZ (Charlotte) is thrilled to join this amazing cast in her first mainstage show at OLT. Partyyy! She has been doing theater in NJ for many years and has previously appeared in Something Rotten (Ensemble), Crossing Delancy (Isabelle), Shrek (Wicked Witch), A Christmas Story, Motherhood Out Loud, and various One Act Play festivals. She is a talented painter, avid traveler, and proud cat mom. She'd like to thank her Mom for literally everything, her Dad for cheering her on from Heaven, and the Foxxies for their friendship and support. Theater is Magic. Love you! ♥️
MARIA SUMMERVILLE (Ella) is honored to put on the iconic glass slippers for this show. Previous stage credits include Legally Blonde (Vivienne Kensington), The Addams Family (Alice Beineke), She Kills Monsters (Kaliope Darkwater), Urinetown (Little Becky Two-Shoes), An Inspector Calls (Sheila Birling), and Neil Simon’s Rumors (Chris Gorman). She fell in love with the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein when playing Maria in her middle school production of The Sound of Music and has found a home and creative outlet on the stage ever since. She is an Irene Ryan Nominee and Honorable Mention Winner for the Richard Maltby Jr. Award for Musical Theatre Excellence at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. When not on stage, Maria works as a Structural Engineer, making impossible things happen every day for the infrastructure and communities throughout New Jersey. She would like to recognize the cast and crew for their dedication and talent and her incredible friends and family for always showing up to support!
Production Team
LOUIS BERNICE (Director/Choreographer/Set Designer) is delighted to be returning to OLT with Cinderella. You may have seen his other directorial efforts like Legally Blonde or “The Broadway Mashup” concert. Louis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey and is a trained dancer in jazz, contemporary, Theater/Broadway, and belly dance. You can find Louis performing daily for his fourth grade class as well as serving as the director of the Lodi High School Drama Club. Some previous directorial projects at Lodi High School include Anything Goes, In the Heights, Mame, 9 to 5 and SPAMALOT. He would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support. He sends special thanks to the cast of Cinderella for finding “it in your spirit” to share your talent and tell this story with him. Most importantly Louis would like to thank the “Elite” for always agreeing to his “crazy coo coo” ideas. “Shall we go for it!”
RYAN McCANN (Music Director) is very excited to be returning for his fourth production with Old Library Theatre! With OLT, he has music directed the Night at the Movies and Broadway Mashup concerts, as well as their Spring 2022 production of Legally Blonde. He has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. During the day, Ryan teaches Choir and Piano Classes at Lodi High School and works with the “Elite” LHS Drama team: Nell, Louis, and Sam to put on the school musical every year. Ryan would like to thank all of his friends and family for all of their constant support! He would also like to thank all the members of the cast for being so dedicated to their craft, and a special thanks to the “Elite”. Without the three of them, Ryan would never be where he is today! Ryan hopes everyone enjoys the show and to all the very talented members of the cast, crew, and pit - break all the legs!
EVAN T. CHARPENTIER (Co-Producer) directed last season’s Titanic for OLT, and later this year, will return to her Shakespeare roots to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream (December 13-15th, 2024). Evan has MD’d BatBoy, Little Miss Sunshine, All Shook Up, A New Brain, and numerous Cabarets and Concerts. You may have seen her perform in Avenue Q (Lucy), The Vagina Monologues, Dogfight (Mama), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Jeannie), Children of Eden (Mama Noah), Baby (Arlene), It Shoulda Been You (Jenny), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Little Shop (voice of Twoie) and Head Over Heels (Pamela). www.evanmakesmusic.com for more. Beijinhos, queerida.
DAWN TOUSSAS (Co-Producer) is excited to be on the Production Team for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. This is Dawn’s first time as a producer at OLT. It has been amazing to see the creativity and talented performers bring this story to life! Dawn has enjoyed working with her fellow production team members behind the scenes to make the magic on-stage possible. Dawn joined the OLT Board earlier this year and has been quickly learning “the ropes”. She joins her family, Dave, Calista and Michaela in their love of the theatre; though they are performing, she’ll enjoy the view from backstage or in the audience, LOL. Dawn wishes to thank Louis, Ryan and Evan for their patience and partnership, and wishes the cast, orchestra and crew a successful run!
SAM PORTER (Conductor/Trumpet) is a fifth year Band director at Lodi High School. He has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education as well as a separate Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Lebanon Valley College. This is his fourth production with Old Library Theater. He has had the pleasure of conducting the pit for OLT’s production of Legally Blonde, as well as playing in their Night at the Movies Concert and conducting, playing, AND singing in their Broadway Mashups Concert. Sam has played and participated in musical pit orchestras every year since his first production his freshman year of high school. He is excited to help bring the wonder and magic of Cinderella to the stage. Sam would like to thank his colleagues for always making work a little more enjoyable and his wife for her unwavering support in all of his endeavors.
NELL WHITE (Costume Designer/Ensemble) is wondering if you are reading this when you should be watching the show. If so - stop! She would prefer you watch the show and read after. Nell is delighted to be on stage with (and costuming!) these talented humans and is so grateful for Ryan, Louis, and Sam and their love and dedication to both the “community” and the “theatre” in community theatre. She has been performing with OLT for many years; she has also worked with Teaneck New Theatre, Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Bergen County Players, and more. During the day, Nell teaches math at Lodi High School where she is also the assistant director of the drama club and co-advisor of the GSA. Nell would like to thank her favorite people in the world: her three boys Gabe, Nate, and Hamish, who are her constant inspiration and joy.
ASH TORBIC (Stage Manager) is delighted to join the talented cast and crew of Cinderella for their first production at OLT. They are currently studying Entertainment Engineering at the University of Connecticut where they work on the sets and props teams for the Connecticut Repertory Theatre. They were most recently a part of the crew for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (props team) and A Doctor’s Dilemma (props team/run crew) and onstage in Heathers (ensemble). Seeing a Broadway production in their childhood has led them to pursue creative endeavors behind the stage. They would like to thank their friends and family for the constant support and OLT for this amazing opportunity. Enjoy the show!
LYSS WORTMAN (Assistant Stage Manager) is a current graduate student pursuing a degree in Education Theatre in Colleges and Communities. They are a 2020 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Wagner College, located in Staten Island, NY, where they earned their B.A. in Theatre, as well as pursued a NYS Teaching Certificate in Special Education. During their time in college, they worked as an Actor, Director, Choreographer, House Manager, and Stage Manager on student and class productions. Additionally, they were selected as the Assistant Director for the Mainstage production of “On The Town” (dir. Theresa McCarthy). Lyss was also the teaching assistant for Wagner College’s Directing Classes, under professor Michael Tennenbaum. They have written, directed, and choreographed youth shows at Camp Lou Henry Hoover, in Newton, NJ. Professionally, Lyss has been a teacher, coach, and Stage Manager at the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan, NY through Waterwell and Manhattan Youth. Lyss has appeared on stage in works and shows in New Jersey, New York, and Edinburgh, Scotland. Lyss has previously worked with Old Library Theatre of Fair Lawn, New Jersey on their productions of The Prom, Titanic the Musical, and A New Brain.
ETTIE EGGERS (Intern/Stage Crew) is a junior at Pascack Hills High School who loves all things theater! She was a member of the cast in middle school, being in both Mary Poppins Jr. as well as The Little Mermaid Jr., then in high school she did Pride and Prejudice, and Mamma Mia! In her sophomore year she was Assistant Director for her school’s productions of She Kills Monsters and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, while also being Assistant Stage Manager, and running props and stage crew as a whole, for her Middle School’s production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. She also worked with Old Library Theater in Fairlawn, NJ on their production of A New Brain as a member of stage crew. Most recently, she worked with Offbook Productions in Hackensack on their recent production of When Monica Met Hillary as stage crew. Ettie is really looking forward to working on this production of Cinderella! She hopes you enjoy the show!
HANNAH CARROLL (Intern/Stage Crew) is excited to be back for her second production at OLT! Most recently she was the Assistant Director for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at her high school. She has also appeared in her school productions of She Kills Monsters (Kaliope/Fight Captain); Mamma Mia! (Ensemble); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia); Pippin (Player); and Ghost Light (a Stage Manager, Jane). Her off-stage credits include run crew of summer 2023 productions of Peter Pan Jr. and Descendants at the JCC Summer Camp. She was also an intern and run crew at the Old Library Theater’s production of Titanic. She wants to thank OLT for giving her the opportunity to be an intern again, and teaching her so much about theater!