Tags Posts tagged with "Samantha Foti"

Samantha Foti

Photo by Ellen Williams

By Heidi Sutton

The slipper fits! Photo by Jessie Eppelheimer

For many, Disney’s “Cinderella” will always have a special place in their hearts. Released in 1950, it was Walt’s 12th animated feature film and rumored to be his favorite.

Now, under the direction of Matt Kunkel, the timeless, “rags to riches” fairy tale takes on new life in “Cinderella KIDS” at the Engeman Theater in Northport through Oct. 29. Performed by a cast of nine teens, each one more talented than the next, the show features the original story and wonderful songs, much to the delight of the little princesses in the audience, with a comedic twist.

Now, 67 years later Cinderella (Kira Williams) is still at the mercy of her stepmother (Ava Dell’aquila) and stepsisters Anastasia (Katherine Gallo) and Drizella (Lexie Spelman), who seem to take much pleasure in making her miserable. When a messenger from the castle drops by and announces that all unmarried girls are invited to the Royal Ball, the stepmother tells Cinderella she can go if she finishes her chores. Her mouse friends, Gus and Jaq (Melissa Aliotta and Samantha Foti), make her a beautiful gown from items the stepsisters have discarded. When the stepsisters see how beautiful Cinderella looks, they throw a tantrum and destroy the gown.

The three meanies, Drizella, the stepmother and Anastasia. Photo by Ellen Williams

When all seems hopeless, Cinderella’s fairy godmother (Maeve Barth-Dwyer) appears and with a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, concocts a beautiful blue gown, glass slippers and a fancy coach and sends the young girl off to the ball. There she meets the handsome prince (Theron Viljoen), they fall in love and dance the night away, that is, until the stroke of midnight. Will Cinderella’s dreams come true? Will she marry her Prince? Will her stepmother and stepsisters finally get their comeuppance?

From the very beginning, the narrator (Danny Feldman) makes it is clear that the audience will be a part of the story. When Cinderella is given a four-foot-long list of chores, the stepsisters ask the audience what else they should make her do. “Bake a muffin!” yells one child. “Scrub the toilet!” offers another. Tough crowd.

When the fairy godmother tries to help Cinderella get to the ball, she asks the children, “What can we use for a coach?” “A pumpkin!” is the immediate response. When Cinderella disappears at the stroke of midnight, the prince and his herald frantically run through the theater searching for her with the help of the children who eventually find the glass slipper. Later on, Cinderella walks through the aisles singing “So This Is Love,” as the young theatergoers sit mesmerized. The interactive concept is genius and works to a T. Even the youngest guests won’t have time to grow restless and that is the greatest wish of all.

So this is love. Photo by Ellen Williams

The beautiful costumes by Jess Costagliola and the delightful choreography by Emma Gassett complete the experience. Disney’s “Cinderella” may be timeless but Disney’s “Cinderella KIDS” is a real fall treat and the perfect show to introduce young children to live theater. I guarantee they’ll love you for it.

Stay after for a meet and greet and autographs with the cast in the lobby. An autograph page is conveniently located toward the back of the program. Running time is one hour with one 15-minute intermission. Booster seats are available and costumes are encouraged. The theater also hosts birthday parties (Happy Birthday, Chloe!).

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport will present Disney’s “Cinderella KIDS” through Oct. 29. All seats are $15. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Photo by Courtney Braun

By Heidi Sutton

Christian Arma as Gerald and Samantha Foti as Piggie. Photo by Courtney Braun

If you are a parent or grandparent of young children, then you are most likely familiar with the young reader books by award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems. There’s the “Knuffle Bunny” and “Pigeon” series (“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” is a personal favorite) and his latest “Cat the Cat” series, among others.

Willems devoted most of his time, however, to writing the “Elephant and Piggie” series, 25 books in total. From the first, “My Friend Is Sad,” to the last, “The Thank You Book,” Gerald the elephant and his “bestus” friend, a pig named Piggie, learn common etiquette rules for friendship.

Now through Aug. 20, young visitors to the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts can enjoy the musical Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” which pays homage to the popular book series with script and lyrics by Willems and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma.

Photos by Courtney Braun
Above, left, the Squirrelles, from left, Sarah Juliano, Emily Keleher and Maria Simeone. Photo by Courtney Braun

The script is based mostly on Elephant and Piggie’s “We are in a Book!” but draws from other stories including “I Am Invited to a Party,” “Elephants Cannot Dance,” “Should I Share My Ice Cream?” and “I Love My New Toy,” resulting in an adorable show that is too cute for words.

Directed and choreographed by Courtney Braun, with musical direction by Melissa Cowell, the first half of the show follows Gerald (Christian Arma) and Piggie (Samantha Foti) as they learn to share, how to get ready for a fancy-costume pool party hosted by the Squirelles (Sarah Juliano, Maria Simeone and Emily Keleher) and grasp the act of forgiveness.

Eventually, Gerald and Piggie notice that there is an audience watching them and then, much to the delight of the younger children, have them shout out the word “banana,” clap their hands and do the “Flippy Floppy Floory dance,” the perfect ending to a wonderful morning of live theater.

Samantha Foti as Piggie. Photo by Courtney Braun

The adult cast of five all give top rate performances and boy can they sing! Costumes by Ronald R. Green III reflect the character’s animal traits and personalities with Arma’s glasses, gray vest and pants, Foti’s pink skirt with striped tights and the Squirrelles brown dresses and long brown wigs.

Please note that running time is one hour with no intermission, so try to hit the bathrooms ahead of time. Snacks will be sold in the lobby and booster seats are available. Meet the cast in the lobby after the show for photos and autographs. An autograph page is conveniently located on the back page of the program.

The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East Main St., Smithtown will present Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in A Play!” through Aug. 20 followed by Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” from Sept. 16 to Oct. 29. All seats are $15. To order, call 631-724-3700 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.