By: Grace Fitzgibbon –

The vibrant colors of girls’ dresses swirl together in the light of the stage as a rousing chorus of the beautiful melody Ten Minutes Ago reaches a musical climax inside the doors of Southeast’s Jennifer L. Dorsey-Howley Performing Arts Center. The theater department has been working tirelessly to bring the school the lively and fun Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, but the magic won’t last forever. Catch Cinderella before it disappears May 4-6 at 7:30 and May 7 at 2:00.

Senior Tressa Little will be performing as the role of stepsister Gabrielle, and says there is never a dull moment in the magical show.

“You have to leave the show laughing or smiling,” said Little. “It’s such a heartwarming show for kids and any age.”

This version of Cinderella is revamped with a modern script, with unexpected twists in character roles and a reimagined overarching theme. This includes a fresh take on Little’s quirky stepsister character.

“What I love most about her is that she’s so much like me,” said Little. “Gabrielle is definitely a wicked stepsister with Charlotte, but there’s a turning point in the plot where she realizes that she wants to stand up. She lets the things she loves, Jean-Michel and Cinderella, really motivate her to stand up and finally do what’s right.”

Little debuted on the stage last year as Jane Banks from Mary Poppins, but the experience was so worthwhile she wished she would have gotten involved sooner. With each individual cast, Little has had the chance to grow with and get to know them on a personal level. She cannot recommend getting involved enough.

“If you want to do theater, do it,” said Little. “Don’t second guess yourself and wait a year because you will regret it. Just do it.”

Since it is director Carol Svoboda’s last show directing at Southeast, Little finds the work the cast, crew, and staff has done for the musical even more moving. She hopes Cinderella is something Svoboda can be proud of.

“I hope this show makes you leave Southeast happy.”