‘Cinderella: Enchanted Edition’ Stars Community Cast, Showing from July 10 to 19, in SUNY Potsdam’s Performing Arts Center
Bethany Diederich ’27 (Cinderella), right, rehearses a scene from the Community Performance Series’ upcoming production of “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Enchanted Edition.” The production will open Friday, July 10, and continue its run from Thursday, July 16, through Sunday, July 19, with five total shows at SUNY Potsdam's Proscenium Theater.
Community Performance Series will present a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella: Enchanted Edition” this summer at SUNY Potsdam’s Performing Arts Center. The production will open Friday, July 10, for a debut in time for Reunion, and will continue its run from Thursday, July 16, through Sunday, July 19, with five total shows.
The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers and Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Cinderella” was the most widely-viewed program in the history of the medium. Its recreation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of “dreams-come-true,” and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, this romantic fairy tale still warms the hearts of children and adults alike. This Enchanted Edition is inspired by the 1997 teleplay.
The show features more than 70 individuals working together on stage and behind the scenes and includes a blend of SUNY Potsdam faculty, staff and students working alongside local alumni, professionals and educators.
Performances will be offered as follows:
- Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m.
- Sunday, July 19 at 2 p.m.
“Most cultures around the world share with their children a story in which dreams, when wished for hard enough, may come true. Some cultures include the idea that dreams only come true if you work for them. Although the second concept may ring more true if you are currently an adult, it is the former which provides us with a pathway back to our naive yet pleasurable childhood beliefs. This is where we have been living for the past few months as we have been exploring the magical world of ‘Cinderella: Enchanted Edition,’” said Stage Director Kimberly Busch ’93 & ’96.
Along with Busch’s stage direction, the vocal and orchestra music direction for the show is led by Andrea Ellison ’01 & ’02, with choreography by Meaghan Janovsky ’07 & ’12. The show’s lighting design is by Joshua Barkley ’21, while sound design is by Don Camnamela ’97, ’01 & ’12, and scenic design and technical direction are by Krystal Hewer ’09. Krystal Rycroft joins for the first time as properties designer and Suzanne Waters ’87 returns as costume designer.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that SUNY Potsdam provides for our community to create and enjoy the performing arts such as this. Support for the arts is vital for a strong community, and we are so fortunate to have a college that understands and is willing to invite us onto their campus. Bridging the campus community and the North Country community at large results in a stronger, healthier connection which benefits us all,” Busch said.
The cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella: Enchanted Edition” includes:
- Bethany Diederich '27 as Cinderella
- Hailey Hodge as Fairy Godmother
- Jennifer Blewett '03 as Stepmother
- Logan Canning '16 & '19 as Joy
- Katey Fuller as Grace
- Kyle Flint as Christopher
- Casey Sweeney as King Maximillian
- Krystal Hewer ’09 as Queen Constantina
- Jim Fryer as Lionel
- Reilly Kenney as the Dove (and Maiden at the Ball)
- Harper Kelso as Charles the Cat
- Faith Diederich as Young Cinderella (and White Mouse #2)
- Amelia Liberty, Eliana Frank, Estella Smith and Everly Pike play the remaining White Mice
In addition, the show’s ensemble features Allison Andre, Lydianna Soleil Burnett, Abby DeCastro, Sarah Diederich ’02 & ’25, Julia Ellison '28, Mekayla Fountaine '24, Megan Fregoe ’22, Miles Guy, Brandon Griffin, Caryn Harrington, Mady James '23, Ainsley Richardson, Audrey Snell, Avalyn Sterling, Jade Varney ’04, Colin Young, and Jonathan Zimmermann.
Setting the scene
The Performing Arts Center lobby will once again be transformed into an immersive and interactive audience pre-show experience, designed by the Community Performance Series summer intern team.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.cpspotsdam.org. Youth, senior and military discounts are available for all shows, including matinees.
CPS Box Office customer support is available from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., by calling (315) 267-2277. Walk-up tickets may be purchased in person one hour prior to each showtime, subject to availability.
The musical is timed to coincide with Reunion 2026 at SUNY Potsdam and with the annual Potsdam Summer Festival, allowing visitors and community members to add a night or an afternoon at the theatre to their celebrations.
“Cinderella: Enchanted Edition” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Concord Theatricals.
About Community Performance Series:
The Community Performance Series is a college-community partnership presenting distinctive and renowned performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
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