'Cinderella': Lexington Senior High to bring classic fairytale to stage

Jill Doss-Raines, The Dispatch
·3 min read
Lexington Senior High school junior Evelyn Cruz has been cast to play the lead role in the school's production of 'Cinderella.' The play will be performed at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center on Feb. 24-25.
Lexington Senior High school junior Evelyn Cruz has been cast to play the lead role in the school's production of 'Cinderella.' The play will be performed at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center on Feb. 24-25.

Staging plays for her family and dragging her brothers and sisters into the act has always been part of Lexington Senior High School junior Evelyn Cruz's life.

So it's no wonder she has been cast to play the lead in the school's upcoming production of "Cinderella."

"Music defines me," she said. "It's who I am."

The 16-year-old has been involved with the chorus program in Lexington City Schools since sixth grade. She became involved with the school's musical productions in eighth grade with a role in "Spotlight on Broadway" and also played roles in the high school's production of  "High School Musical" in 2022. Theater, including school plays, was paused during her ninth-grade year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ever since I was very young, I have loved performing, arts and music," she said. "Music is very me. When I was 7 or 8, I put on a play, 'Princess and the Pauper,' for my family. It was our favorite Barbie movie. We sang and danced. My brothers and sisters played the other roles. I was the princess."

When she learned her school would perform "Cinderella," she instantly wanted to be a part of it and auditioned for the role of Cinderella or one of the step-sisters.

Colin O'Connell, who plays the King and Kimberly Perez Zetina who plays the Queen, rehearse a scene from Lexington Senior High's upcoming production of 'Cinderella' in the school's auditorium on Wednesday.
Colin O'Connell, who plays the King and Kimberly Perez Zetina who plays the Queen, rehearse a scene from Lexington Senior High's upcoming production of 'Cinderella' in the school's auditorium on Wednesday.

"We chose Evelyn because she is very talented and a leader," Casey Mancilla, the play's music director and chorus teacher. "It is evident in class and outside that she is passionate about music and musical theater. Evelyn is a joy to have in class and I knew she would give 1,000 percent in this role."

Added Meredith Worley, play director, choreographer, and dance teacher: "Evelyn has experience by being in other musicals. She's also involved in chorus so we know her abilities and talents vocally. She had a great audition and we knew she would work hard."

When she is performing, Cruz loves to channel her music idol, Taylor Swift. She's been a fan since she was 3 years old. She taught herself to play the guitar using YouTube videos and music apps. She also plays the piano.

After high school, Cruz plans to attend college to major in music.

"I love the songs in the play that Cinderella sings," she said.

Cinderella, played by Evelyn Cruz, sings 'In My Own Little Corner' during rehearsals at Lexington Senior High School on Wednesday. The play, 'Cinderella' will be performed at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center on Feb. 24 and 25.
Cinderella, played by Evelyn Cruz, sings 'In My Own Little Corner' during rehearsals at Lexington Senior High School on Wednesday. The play, 'Cinderella' will be performed at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center on Feb. 24 and 25.

However, she said it is a stretch for her to play a dainty, meek princess who is bullied by her evil stepmother and step-sisters. She's not a pushover in real life.

"But it's good for me to stretch my abilities and play this role," she said.

Cinderella will be performed at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 and 25 at the Edward C. Smith Civic Centers. The civic center is located at 217 S. Main St. in downtown Lexington. Tickets are $10 in advance from cast members and at the school. They will cost $12 at the door on the nights of the performances.

The following is the cast of "Cinderella"

Evelyn Cruz, Cinderella; Kristoef Barrett, Prince; Hannia Luna, Fairy Godmother; Colin O'Connell, King; Kimberly Perez Zetina, Queen; Mila Phonsaya, Stepmother; Violet Shaw, Joy/Stepsister; Rachelle Perea , Portia/Stepsister; Neftali Hernandez, Head Chef; Noah Clodfelter, Head Steward; Nymir Leverette, Chef/Townsperson; Ander Benitez, Chef/Townsperson; Ryu Tai, Chef/Townsperson; Jalen Arrington, Chef/Townsperson; Al’Nazir Holmes Prince, Chef/Townsperson; Zavier Poulson, Steward/Townsperson; Joseph Harris, Steward/Townsperson; Mel West, Steward/Townsperson/Minister; Josiah Alston, Steward/Townsperson; Natalie Myers, Townsperson/Guest; Guadalupe Couto, Townsperson/Guest; Cecilia Mendoza Ponce, Townsperson/Guest; Ta’Miyah Jackson, Townsperson/Guest; Lesly Espinoza Benavides, Townsperson/Guest; Anahi Rivera-Acevedo, Townsperson/Guest; Saniah Williams, Townsperson/Guest/Mouse/Horse; Melina Benitez, Townsperson/Guest/Mouse/Horse; Absady McCaskill, Townsperson/Guest; Zyanna Cartrette,Townsperson/Guest/Mouse/Horse; Victoria Ross, Townsperson/Guest/Mouse/Horse; Amisadai Diaz,Townsperson/Guest; Joey Braley,Townsperson/Guest/Mouse/Horse; Sharmaigne Miller, Townsperson/Guest.

Jill Doss-Raines is The Dispatch trending topics and personality profiles senior reporter and is always looking for tips about businesses and entertainment events, secret and new menu items and interesting people in Davidson County. Contact me at jill.doss-raines@the-dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: 'Cinderella': Lexington Senior High to bring classic fairytale to stage Feb. 24-25