Theatre Albany to bring Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ to the stage

ALBANY – To say Vickie Knuckles has “grown to love musical theater” is oversimplification of facts in evidence.

Knuckles, a Byne Christian School educator who has taken on her second director’s role with Theatre Albany, helming this and next weekend’s productions of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Cinderella,” is, as you read this, in the midst of preparing three productions that will be presented to the public.

After “Cinderella’s” six-show run is completed, Knuckles will direct Byne’s “Annie” in March, and her Albany Area Homeschool Theater Co. will present “Newsies” in April.

“What can I say … I love this,” Knuckles, who is directing her second musical for Theatre Albany, said during Monday night’s dress rehearsal for Friday’s opening night. “I’ve always loved music – singing, playing piano – and my dad was a music leader, but God put a change in my heart and I gradually grew to love music theater.”

With “Cinderella’s” 45-student cast of fifth- through 12th-grade students from the area – including students from Lee County High, Lamar Reese Elementary and Merry Acres Middle School in Albany, Terrell Academy, Albany private schools Sherwood Christian, Byne Christian and Deerfield-Windsor School, as well as homeschooled students – providing the challenge for the timeless story, Knuckles said she’s been fortunate enough to “just do my job.”

“First of all, you can’t know how grateful I am to have the volunteers who have done so much to help with this production,” she said. “Because they’re here, I’ve been given the opportunity to bring my vision to life.

“When I was asked about interest in production work for Theatre Albany, I said I was definitely interested in getting on board and I gave them a list of plays I was interested in doing. This is one of them. For me, this production brings back such sweet memories.”

Knuckles said a staff of volunteers including Musical Director Andrew Bode, Choreographer Zan Twiggs, Costume Designer Amanda Morrow, Stage Manager Shannon Wiederkehr, Set Dresser Megan Lisenby, lights by Butler Stoudenmire and Bode, sound by Mike Hayes, Prop Master Erin Andrews and a host of others has allowed her to focus on the details that are vital to a play’s success.

“I’m just spoiled; I have so much volunteer help,” Knuckles said. “We’re also fortunate to have so many young actors who are true thespians. These are kids who are veterans, who’ve been in productions with their schools, their churches and with Theatre Albany.

“When you have actors who are serious about their roles – even these young actors – they’re the ones who know where they’re supposed to be and know their lines. This kind of activity is something they can take with them for the rest of their lives.”

Among the lead actors in “Cinderella” are Olivia Brown as the title character, Ariana Cavalcanto as Cinderella’s Godmother, Iva Evans as the evil Stepmother, Seraphina Curtin and Madelyn Owens as stepsisters Portia and Joy, respectively, Preston Rooks as Herald, Abby Schmidt as the Queen, Jonah Walsh as the King and Luke Twiggs as the Prince.

Other actors in the play include Vayda Andrews, Isabella Barfield, Emily Bradford, Vayda Campbell, Jordan Cleare, Martha Dettore, Katelyn Dooley, Brooks Dowdy, Sebastian Escavar, Ayla Estill, Evans Fuller, Brooke Gordon, Emma Harrell, Blake Jackson, Jordyn Jackson, Ella James, Caroline Kimsey, Sarah Knight, Ava Kosar, Noah Lorber, Alexis Meaux, Bella Melvin, Dean Morrow, Jackson Morrow, Bella Sharpe, Thomas Sharpe, Oakley Sheffirle-Hayes, Eddie Sims, Haley Taylor, August Turner, Kyler Weekley and Emilee Young.

Playing mice will be Nora Morrow, Emma Harris, Jaycee Taylor and Meg Davis.

Showtimes for the Feb. 13-15 and 20-22 productions are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, 14, 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Feb. 15 and 22.