Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited
Thank you to our GOLD sponsors!
Thank you to our SILVER sponsors!
Angelina Blair
Cinderella - Opening Cast
This is Angelina's 16th production with MYT. Some of her favorite roles have been Nikki in CURTAINS and Storyteller in SUESSICAL. Angelina is a freshman at Berlin High School where she is currently in a production of FROZEN and is a member of the Madrigal Singers. Angelina would like to thank her parents for always being so supportive and her sisters for always coming to her shows. Angelina is so excited for everyone to see this show and all of the hard work she and her fellow cast and crew members have put into it! She hopes to make little Angelina proud.
Bella Loffredo
Cinderella - Closing Cast
This is Bella’s first production with MYT and she is so excited to be part of such an amazing cast! Some of her favorite roles that she’s played is Lucy in 13: THE MUSICAL (Rocky Hill High School), where she was nominated for a halo, Aquata in THE LITTLE MERMAID (Hartford Stage), and Moana in MOANA (Company N’ Tempo). She has taken dance, theater, and vocal classes at Company N’ Tempo in Cromwell since she was four and thanks to them, she is where she is now! She wants to thank the cast and staff for being the biggest supporters and always being so kind. She can’t wait to be in another production with MYT!
Desi Chaplin
Betany - Opening Cast
This will be Desi’s seventh production at MYT. Her past roles include Katie Nanna in MARY POPPINS, Jenny in CURTAINS, Vlad Vladikoff in SEUSSICAL, and Betany in ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME. She has also appeared in the ensemble of GREASE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and ROCK OF AGES. Desi is grateful to be part of a theatre community so supportive that there are too many wonderful people to thank individually.
Isabella DiFronzo
Little Mermaid - Opening Cast
This is Bella's 4th show with MYT. She was Miss Smyth in MARY POPPINS, Mrs. Mops in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Gertrude in SEUSSICAL, and now ARIEL in this production of ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME. She has also been in Southington Youth Theater productions of FOOTLOOSE and THE PROM. Bella has gained confidence through her journey at MYT and loves being around the theater! She is thankful for her friendships with MYT staff and her peers.
Jaxon Cassidy
Prince Charming - Closing Cast
This will be Jaxon's 18th MYT production! Other favorite MYT roles have included Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Bruce in MATILDA, Sonny in GREASE, Jacob Marley in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and Lonny Barnett in ROCK OF AGES. Jaxon is also an MYT staff member working with the Rising Star and Shining Star programs. Jaxon splits his time as a junior at both Maloney High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-day Program studying Musical Theater. Jaxon thanks the entire cast, crew, and staff for their hard work and dedication in making this another fun and successful MYT show!
Jaxon, we are endlessly proud of you & love watching you shine. Break a leg! Love always, your biggest fans - Mom, Raylan, Mimi, Papa & Uncle Matt
Kara Starkey
Belinda - Opening Cast
Kara is a Junior at North Haven High School and The Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, Studying Theater. This is her 15th production with MYT. Some of her favorite roles include Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins Jr- MYT) Gertrude McFuzz (Seussical Jr- MYT) and Roxie (Chicago, Wallingford, CT). She is currently also cast as Ursula in her High School production of The Little Mermaid in March. Kara has danced since she was 3 years old and is currently will En L'air Studio of Dance in North Haven. Besides performing Kara enjoys being with and helping the younger rising actors learn. She is so excited for this show and thanks all the cast, crew, and staff that made it happen!
Katherine Sanders
Little Mermaid - Closing Cast
MYT is not just the place where Katherine found her best friends, it is the place she calls home. Whether it is performing, stage crew, taking photos or being a CIT – every aspect of MYT is part of her heart. Her favorite MYT roles so far are Marlin in FINDING NEMO JR, Storyteller in SUESCIAL JR, and Lavender in MATILDA, but she also had a great time as Ensemble (ROCK OF AGES), Oscar (CURTAINS JR), Tall Alice (ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR), Mary Stephen (SISTER ACT JR), Herbert (JUNIE B JONES JR), Sponge (JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH JR.), Middle Anna (FROZEN JR.), and Annie (ANNIE JR). Meriden Schools: Mary Sunshine (Chicago), Melman (MADIGASCAR JR), Dory (FINDING NEMO JR), and Manal (ALADDIN JR).
Katie Beebe
Rapunzel - Opening Cast
This will be Kate’s 6th production at MYT. Her favorite roles with MYT include Sherrie in ROCK OF AGES and Bob Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Other favorite roles include Annabeth Chase in THE LIGHTING THIEF (Newington Childrens Theatre Company) and Hunyak in CHICAGO: TEEN (The Square Foot Theatre Company). Kate is a sophomore at Southington High School. She has danced for about 10 years and currently dances at Dance City and The Arts. She thanks the cast, crew, and staff for putting together another great MYT show!
Kylie Rybak
Stepmother - Opening Cast
Kylie is excited for yet another amazing production with her tribe at MYT. Her other favorite productions at MYT have included FROZEN, MARY POPPINS, ROCK OF AGES, SUESSICAL, CINDERELLA, and WIZARD OF OZ among many. Kylie is so grateful for her connections with the MYT staff and her fellow performers.
Beyond the stage, Desi has very diverse interests ranging from baking, sewing, felting, and digital animation to rollerblading, ice hockey, and rock climbing. Desi wants to thank everyone at MYT for their continued support and is looking forward to creating many new memories through the years.
Malia Bontempi
Jack
This will be Malia's fourth show with MYT (Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act, Jane in Mary Poppins, Johnny in Curtains, Yertle in Seussical and ensemble in Rock of Ages). She also loves singing and playing the guitar with School of Rock, making music on Garage Band, drawing and writing.
Malia, we are so proud of your commitment to everything you put your mind and heart to. We love you!
Peighton O'Hara
Sleeping Beauty - Closing Cast
Peighton O’Hara is excited to be taking part in her senior year fall musical with the MYTeen company. Peighton has been participating in shows at MYT since she was seven years old and is happy to call this theater program a home away from home. From performing to lighting and sound design to stage managing to choreographing to building sets and props, MYT has given her the opportunity to do it all and she cannot be more thankful. She hopes you have a great time watching this fun and entertaining performance!
Randy Aresco
Prince Affable / Hansel
Randy has been performing with MYT for the past 8 years. Besides staring as Rudolph in this production, Randy has also had favorite roles in Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, and Finding Nemo (with Edison Middle School). He is excited to welcome his niece, Charlotte, to her first theater performance!
Randy- we are so proud of you and all of the hard work you put into this role! Love Mon and Dad!
Robert Schulenberg
Clumsy
This is Robert's fifth year at MYT. Some favorite roles with MYT include Lt. Frank Cioffi in CURTAINS, Cowardly Lion in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and Uncle Vladamir in DEAR EDWINA. Robert also performs with Beman Drama Club in Middletown, where he previously played Lord Farquaad in SHREK and Jafar in ALADDIN, and where he is currently playing The Man in the Chair in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Robert dances with Star Dance Academy. He is excited to be in both the Junior Company and Teen Shows this winter. Thank you to everyone at MYT for being awesome!
Rowan O'Hara
Prince Brawny
Rowan has been with MYT since 2016, actively performing with them for nearly ten years! Some of her more recent roles have been Franz in ROCK OF AGES, Cat in the Hat in SEUSSICAL JR, and Cioffi in CURTAINS. She has made other appearances with both Lincoln Middle School and Platt High School theater in shows like WILLY WONKA JR, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR, and [TITLE OF SHOW]. Rowan is currently a freshman at Platt High School, and she enjoys activities such as marching band, mathletics, dance, and more. She has had so much fun working on this show, all thanks to the amazing staff, cast, and crew! She hopes you enjoy!
Cali Ruhe
Snow White - Closing Cast
Cali is excited to be playing Snow White in her 21st Show with MYT! Some of her favorite roles include Mary Poppins in MARY POPPINS, Anna in FROZEN, The Queen of Hearts in ALICE IN WONDERLAND, Dory in FINDING NEMO and being a part of ROCK OF AGES and GREASE. Cali also played several roles in THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED at Mercy High School this Fall where she is also currently in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Cali would like to thank the staff for making this show so much fun and her Mom and the soundtrack to &Juliet for instilling her love of Brittney well before she was cast!
Sarah Gandia
Girl - Opening Cast
Sarah is excited to be the Girl in the Teen Company production of ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME. Her MYT credits include MUSIC MAN KIDS (Eulalie), WILLY WONKA JR (Oompa Loompa), SEUSSICAL JR (Cindy Lou Who/Elephant Bird) and AESOP’S BOPS (Wind). When not doing theater, she enjoys dance class and swimming. Her dream role is to play Glinda. She wants to thank everyone at MYT for all of their help and her friends for coming to the show. Special thanks to her mom, dad and brother for their support (especially practicing the dances).
MYT Teen Company
- 2025: Once Upon a One More Time and Rock of Ages: Teen Edition
- 2024: A Christmas Carol and Grease: School Edition
- 2023: Cinderella & The Spongebob Musical
- 2022: Descendants: The Musical & Elf JR
- 2021: Legally Blonde & High School Musical 2 JR
- 2020: Once on this Island JR
- 2019: Chicago High School Edition & Camp Rock
- 2018: 13: The Musical & Aladdin JR
- 2017: Into the Woods JR & Seussical JR
- 2016: Grease: School Edition & The Wiz
- 2015: Little Shop of Horrors & Shrek TYA
MYT Staff
- Director - Lindsay Porter
- Assistant Director - Jalina Secchiaroli
- Choreographer - Kiera Flynn
- Music Director - Maureen Ruhe
- Stage Manager and Choreography - Nich Palumbo
- Costumes & Props - Roni Buhler and Carolyn Daniels
- Technical Director - Joe Oblon
Special Thanks To
- Select Costume Rentals from: Warner Theatre
- Tech Crew: Stefanie Szawerda and Maddie Beebe
- Lighting & Projection Design: Joe Oblon
- Spotlight: Hope Henderson and Mariah Parker
- Photography: Luke Barberi, Priscilla Baldwin, and Riley Masterson
- Castle Arch Designed and Built by: Troy Starkey
- Arches Decorated by: Kelly Ferustenberg
- Chandeliers Painted by: Chris Bontempi
- Parent volunteers for helping to run the lobby and Priscilla Baldwin for helping install lighitng
- Star Gram Chairperson: Cathy DiFronzo
- Freddie and the custodial staff at Edison Middle School
- Kendra Henderson, Luke Henderson, Erin Lyons-Barton, and the Edison Music and Theater Department
- The Meriden YMCA
- Brian Cyr & Meriden Public Schools
Director's Note
The year was 2023. Joe had won the lottery to see “Once Upon a One More Time” on Broadway and we set off on an NYC adventure. The Marquis Theater is a weird one. It almost feels hidden, having to go through a hotel and a couple flights of escalators rather than your usual off the street theater in NYC. What we noticed right away was how empty it was. I’ve never seen a Broadway theater so bare. But the size of the audience did not detract from the enjoyable experience and performance the actors gave. Everything was over the top, sharp, clean, hilarious. When we left, we knew we wanted to do this one day. We were so hoping it would last long enough to have an album with Justin Guarini as Charming and Jennifer Simard as the Stepmother. Unfortunately it only was on Broadway for 83 performances. This production of Once Upon a One More Time gave us a powerful opportunity to explore what it means to reclaim your own story, and it was important for our performers to connect to that theme in a personal way. We wanted them to see these fairy-tale characters not as fixed icons, but as individuals questioning expectations placed upon them. This production of Once Upon a One More Time challenged our performers to create characters that were bold, precise, and joyfully over the top while still grounded in clear intention. We focused on how heightened choices and strong physicality could bring these fairy-tale figures to life in a fresh way. A major challenge was developing specificity so that each larger-than-life character felt distinct rather than generalized. Performers were pushed to make confident, exaggerated choices and fully commit to them without losing clarity or storytelling. To my own little princess, always know that your voice matters, your choices are powerful, and you get to decide who you become as you grow.
~Lindsay Porter
Join MYT for our Spring 2024 Production!
Auditions Jan 17 and 18th!
Follow MYT on Instagram @mytymca. Learn more on our website!
Click here to join our mailing list!