NSU Theatre Shines in University’s First Musical Production of Cinderella

From left: Undergraduate students Nina Shah, Naida Alcime, Ashley Cruz, Nehal Gheewala, Gina Shure, Samantha Justilian and Christie Olivera perform in NSU Theatre’s production of Cinderella.

NSU Theatre, part of the Division of Humanities in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, presented Cinderella from March 28-April 6 in the Black Box Theatre, located in the Performing and Visual Arts Wing of the University Center. Written by American masters Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, II, NSU Theatre’s production of Cinderella was a modern, hip retelling of this classic fairy tale.

Directed by Jett Canary, M.F.A., NSU’s first musical production played with gender stereotype, questioned the existence of spirits, and battled pink versus blue. Canary drew inspiration from the many reincarnations of Cinderella that have accompanied times of uncertainty and profound social change. He hoped that the simple story of a little girl triumphing over economic crisis and instability would encourage people to examine the power of their own dreams.

The cast consisted entirely of NSU students. Lauren Butler, who portrayed the title character, is a sophomore theatre major. Kosta Lagos, the prince, is a sophomore biology major. The stepmother, played by Lauren Kairailla, and stepsisters, played by Robyn Shapllo and Colin Morgan, are all theatre majors who were featured in the Director’s Festival of One Acts, which ran April 24-27 in the Black Box Theatre.

As the university’s performance company, NSU Theatre introduces high-caliber dramatic works to the South Florida community and provides students with practical theatrical experience. Participation is open to all NSU students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the local community. The Division of Humanities in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre. For more information about NSU Theatre, visit www.undergrad.nova.edu/performingarts/nsutheatre/index.cfm.

In NSU Theatre’s retelling of Cinderella, the evil stepmother, portrayed by Lauren Kairalla (center) tries to keep the peace as the stepsisters, portrayed by Robyn Shapllo (left) and Colin Morgan (right) argue.	Several of the talented cast and crew that presented NSU Theatre’s production of Cinderella (from left): Bill J. Adams, D.M.A., Dan Gelbmann, Rosemary Lucas, Samantha Moriarty, Lauren Butler, Liz Rodriguez, Ed Kolcz, Carlos Garcia, and Jett Canary, M.F.A.