Thank you to our GOLD sponsors!
Thank you to our SILVER and FALL sponsors!
Musical Numbers
- Take Me to Heaven [Nightclub] (Deloris, Michelle, Tina, Elle, Nina)
- Fabulous, Baby (Deloris and Street People)
- Here Within These Walls (Mother Superior)
- It's Good to Be A Nun (The Nuns)
- Raise Your Voice (Deloris and the Nuns)
- Take Me To Heaven [Nun Choir Version] (The Nuns)
- I Could Be that Guy (Eddie and Street People)
- 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION
- Sunday Morning Fever (Ensemble)
- Lady in the Long Black Dress (Joey, Pablo, TJ, Curtis)
- Bless Our Show (The Nuns)
- The Life I never Led (Mary Robert)
- Sister Act (Deloris)
- Sister Act Reprise (The Nuns)
- Spread the Love Around (Ensemble)
Meet the cast!
Sophia Marin
Mother Superior - Fri 7
This is Sophia’s first show with MYT, and she is extremely excited to show everyone what life is like “Here Within These Walls” on opening night! Her first shows were Aladdin Jr and Finding Nemo Jr with The Squarefoot Theater. Although Sophia is fairly new to the theater world; she lives for the stage and loves to sing, act and dance, whenever the opportunity arises. Other than performing, Sophia can also be found playing softball with WGSL and helping make the community a better place with her Girl Scout troop.
Malia Bontempi
Sister Mary Robert - Fri 7
This is Malia's first production with MYT. She has also been a part of No Boundaries Youth Theater as a part of the cast of WILLY WONKA and FROZEN. She has been a dancer for 10 years and this is her third year on the competition team. She started her love for the theater when she attended Kinsella in Hartford for preschool. She loves singing, writing, acting, and drawing. She hopes someday to be an actress or singer/songwriter.
Cali Ruhe
Sister Mary Lazarus - Fri 7
This will be Cali’s 12th production with MYT! She has been seen as Dory in FINDING NEMO, Arvide in GUYS AND DOLLS, Glinda in WIZARD OF OZ, Hortensia in MATILDA, Mother in JUNIE B JONES, Hodel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Anna in FROZEN, Auntie Spiker in JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, Bagheera in JUNGLE BOOK, Tooth Fairy in THE GREATEST SNOWMAN, and Frog in FROG AND TOAD. Cali is excited to be sharing the stage with her kindergarten bestie Sr Mary Madeline! She would like to thank all of her fellow Nuns, the cast, crew and staff for Raising their Voices and teaching her that It’s Good to be a Nun!
Maddy O'Connell
Sister Mary Theresa - Fri 7
This will be Maddy's 2nd production with MYT. She joined this summer playing Kai in FINDING NEMO. Maddy's theatrical career began when she played the role of Annie in her 6th grade production of ANNIE, JR. at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School in Wallingford. When Maddy isn't on stage, she can be found at the barn where she takes equestrian lessons, watching High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, or getting lost in the world of books. Maddy's love for the performing arts will only grow being part of MYT, and she is so grateful to the entire MYT community for supporting her passion!
Sofia DiFronzo
Sister Mary Monica - Fri 7
This is Sofia's first theater performance with Meriden Youth Theater and her first play performance. She is thrilled to be a part of this talented cast. Sofia has taken dance lessons for three years at Apogee Dance Academy and voice lessons by Andrew Love for 6 months. She is always dancing and singing around the house and is thrilled to take this love to the stage. She thanks the director, cast, and crew for this amazing opportunity at MYT!
Mallory Leavitt
Joey - Fri 7
This will be Mallory's 5th performance with MYT. One of her favorite roles was Ruby in NORTH POLE'S GOT TALENT. She has also starred in JUNGLE BOOK KIDS, WINNIE THE POOH, and GUYS & DOLLS. Mallory also has been dancing at Star Dance Academy in Meriden since 4 years old and is a dedicated member to their competition team. She thanks her family and friends for all their support. She also wants to thank her MYT cast members & MYT staff for all their support. She cannot wait for more to come in the future!
Joey Demartino
Curtis - Fri 7
This will be Joey’s third production at MYT. He played Big Jule in GUYS AND DOLLS and Jaws the Shark in FINDING NEMO. Aside from MYT, Joey participated in FROZEN at St. Bridget’s School. His roles included King Agnarr, Oaken and a guard. Joey enjoys theater and more so working with others to put a great show together. He is passionate about acting and has goals to be the next Ryan Reynolds. He will continue acting with MYT and learning as much as possible from all the amazing talent around him. He thanks the team at MYT for their dedication and for yet another great production.
Adeline Falcon
Michelle - Fri 7
This is Adeline’s first production at MYT. Favorite roles include the Ugly Duckling in SHREK JR (Cheshire Youth Theater), Pepper in ANNIE JR (Spotlight), Dream Choir in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Spotlight), and Granny in INTO THE WOODS JR (Spotlight). Adeline also enjoys singing with her friends at Cheshire Voice. She thanks the cast, crew, and staff for an amazing first show with MYT!
Cara Phelan
Sister Mary Stephen - Fri 7
Portraying Sister Mary Stephen in SISTER ACT is Cara’s first production with MYT. Earlier this year Cara was Horton in her school’s production of Suessical Junior. She also dances at Evjen Academy and enjoys singing and playing the piano. Cara has enjoyed this time with her friends, cast and crew and wishes everyone good luck this weekend!
Adella Zagrobelny
Disco Diva Elle - Sun 6
Adella is a 6th grader at JFK Middle School in Southington. This is her first production at MYT and she is very excited to be a part of it. Adella was a Bird Girl in SEUSSICAL JR. in Elementary School and loved being on stage. She hopes to continue with more MYT productions in the future. Adella would like to thank the MYT staff for all their hard work and support!
Kate Beebe
Deloris - Sat 7
Kate is an 8th grader at DePaolo Middle School in Southington. This is her first production with MYT. Kate has danced for almost ten years, being taught tap, jazz, and contemporary, and loves being in theater shows. She's been in SHREK THE MUSICAL and FREAKY FRIDAY (Southington Youth Summer Theater) and MATILDA (DePaolo & Kennedy Middle School Drama Club). She is very excited to perform SISTER ACT JR. Kate wants to thank her directors and the SISTER ACT cast for making her first year with MYT so memorable.
Kate, you're "Fabulous, Baby!" and it's your time to shine! Keep being you and shine bright. We are so excited for the show and proud of you! Relax, have fun & enjoy the moment! Love, Mom and Dad xo
Maddie Beebe
Sister Mary Robert - Sat 7
Maddie is a 6th grader at DePaolo Middle School in Southington. This is her first show with MYT. Her favorite role so far has been Cat in the Hat in SEUSSICAL JR (Derynoski Elementary School). She also performed in 101 DALMATIANS and FREAKY FRIDAY (Southington Youth Summer Theatre). In addition to theater, she has been dancing for almost 10 years at Dance City and the Arts. She also plays the clarinet with the middle school band. Maddie would like to thank her directors for their help throughout the show and the SISTER ACT cast for making her first MYT show so memorable.
Maddie, you are living "The Life." Keep smiling, shining and being the amazing person you are. We are so excited for the show and proud of you! Smile, have fun & enjoy the moment! Love, Mom and Dad xo
Rowan O'Hara
Mary Patrick - Sat 7
Rowan is very excited to portray Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act JR. She has been doing MYT since she was 5 years old, and she has been in 27 shows. She is very grateful for her many years with this theater company, and she cannot wait to see what the next years have in store for her. MYT is a big part of Rowan’s life, and she couldn’t possibly be who she is today without all of the love and support that the MYT family brings. Good luck to the cast of Sister Act, and we hope you enjoy the show!
Katherine Sanders
Sister Mary Stephen - Sat 7
Katherine is a true “theatre nerd” and loves performing and working on stage crew. Her favorite roles so far are Marlin in FINDING NEMO JR and Lavender in MATILDA. Other roles include: Herbert (JUNIE B JONES JR), Sponge (JAMES AND THE GIAN PEACH JR.), Lt. Brannigan (GUYS AND DOLLS JR.), Grandpa (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF JR), Guard (Wizard of Oz Youth Edition), Young Ana (FROZEN JR.), Bird (FROG AND TOAD JR), Annie (ANNIE JR), Blind Mice (SHREK JR). She also was Manal (ALADDIN JR) at Edison Middle School. Katherine would like to thank her MYT friends for always being so amazing and supportive.
Isabella Panico
Mary Theresa - Sat 7
Bella is a 7th grader at Strong Middle School. She is very excited to be Sister Mary Theresa in Meriden Youth Theatre’s production of Sister Act jr. This is Bella’s 22nd show with MYT. She thinks that MYT has been one of the best things to ever happen to her. Bella wants to thank her family and the MYT staff for all of their support during over the last 6 years. She hopes that everyone enjoys the show just as much as she does. Good luck to the cast of Sister Act!
Brady Doweyko
Ernie - Sat 7
This will be Brady’s 3rd performance with MYT. She has previously performed in GUYS AND DOLLS and THE WIZARD OF OZ, where she played the role of Nikko. She has also performed with Paperhouse Productions musicals, such as SEUSSICAL and ALL TOGETHER NOW. She was recently in a production of MATILDA that was produced by Frank Ward Strong School, where Brady is a 7th grade student. Over the past few years, Brady has grown a great passion for theater and continues to grow and expand her talents. She has really loved her 3rd full season with MYT, and looks forward to many more. She thanks the crew and cast for making her this, and every, season with MYT a fantastic experience.
Payton Ross
Deloris - Sun 6
Payton is thrilled to be taking the stage in her first lead role as Deloris in SISTER ACT JR! At just 11 years old, Payton is a budding star! This will be Payton’s third production at MYT - (Hotbox Ensemble of GUYS AND DOLLS and Gil in FINDING NEMO). Payton’s goal is to hit the big screens of TV and movies in the near future and she is well on her way!! When she isn’t singing, dancing or acting Payton loves to travel and try different types of food from all over the world! She wants to send a special shoutout to Nich and Lindsay for their love & support along with the rest of the MYT village!
Raelynn Ferguson
Sister Mary Robert - Sun 6
Raelynn is a 5th grade student at Parker Farms. This is her 6th production with MYT (Mordcha in Fiddler, Ruby in North Pole’s Got Talent, Arvide in Guys & Dolls, Pooh in Winnie the Pooh, Lobster in Finding Nemo). Raelynn is an anchor for the school news and a member of student council. Raelynn would like to thank her vocal coach, Amity Wahl and her dance teachers for their support. Raelynn would also like to thank her family and friends for always being there for her and cheering her on. Finally, Raelynn would also like to thank the MYT staff for their endless hours of passion, love, and dedication.
Catherine Jones
Sister Mary Patrick - Sun 6
Katie is thrilled to be a part of SISTER ACT JR. She is in 5th grade at Pond Hill School in Wallingford. She is a competitive cheerleader with the Wallingford Vikings. This is Katie's 7th musical production. A few of her favorite roles include: Manal in ALADDIN JR. and Charlie Bates in OLIVER. Katie would like to thank her family for their love and support. She would also like to thank the MYT staff for their dedication and for making this such a great experience. She would like to give a big shout out to her friends in the cast, Especially Raelynn who convinced her to audition for MYT!
Lily Sanders
Sister Mary Lazarus - Sun 6
Lily was born to be on stage. Whether playing Benny (GUYS AND DOLLS JR.) or Edgar (ARISTOCATS KIDS) she just loves playing roles with sass and attitude. Other credits include: Octopus (FINDING NEMO JR.), Jack Frost (NORTH POLE’S GOT TALENT), Christopher Robin (WINNE THE POOH), Yente (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF JR), Young Elsa (FROZEN JR), Star to Be (ANNIE JR), and Jungle Narrator (JUNGLE BOOK KIDS). Lily is in 5th grade at Israel Putnam school, enjoys Karate and gymnastics and hopes one day to be a “You Tuber”. She loves making new friends and says that “MYT is the BEST”!
Kyle Vasas
Eddie - Sun 6
This is Kyle’s 11th performance with MYT “home”! He has meet some amazing friends and role models though the years! He is also on the Joan Lynn Dance Company competition team for Tap and Hiphop! Kyle has recently earned a spot on the USA Tap Team that will be traveling to Prague in October for the World Tap Championship! Kyle would like to thank Nich for all his guidance and encouragement!
Magnolia Brunjes
Joey - Sun 6
This is Magnolia’s second theater performance with MYT. She first got the itch to do theater last year when she did NORTH POLES GOT TALENT, and has wanted to keep pursing theater ever since. This year we are excited to see her in her role as Joey in SISTER ACT! We are so proud of her and can’t wait to see her performance tonight! She thanks the cast, crew, and staff for putting together another great production at MYT!
Friday 7 PM
Saturday 7 PM
Sunday 6 PM
MYT Junior Company
- 2023: Finding Nemo JR and Sister Act JR
- 2022: Junie B Jones JR and Wizard of Oz: Youth Ed.
- 2021: James and the Giant Peach JR & Frozen JR
- 2020: School House Rock JR
- 2019: Mulan JR & Madagascar JR
- 2018: Dear Edwina JR
- 2017: Bugsy Malone JR
- 2016: High School Musical JR
- 2015: Peter Pan JR
MYT Staff
- Director - Nich Palumbo
- Assistant Director - Cessa Fontanez
- Music Director - Maureen Ruhe
- Choreographer - Lindsay Porter
- Stage Manager - Lilly Bazinet
- Technical Director - Joe Oblon
- Costumes - Rachel Herbst-Vasas
- Program Director - Carolyn Daniels
Production Acknowledgments
- Lights and Projections: Rick Frendt (projection design), Joe Oblon (lighting design), Paiton Destefano (light and projection playback), Carolyn Daniels and Jalina Secchiaroli (spotlight)
- Set: Joe Oblon (design and construction), Rowan O'Hara, Isabella Panico, Nich Palumbo, Carolyn Daniels, Cessa Fontanez, and James Fiderio (set construction)
- Sound: Maureen Ruhe (sound board operator), Rowan O'Hara and Isabella Panico (mic script), Joe Oblon (sound design)
- Costumes: Rachel Herbst-Vasas (design and organization), Warner Costume Closet and Cirillo Theater/Kellie Comer Dietz (select costume pieces)
- Parent volunteers for donating the concession items, selling tickets, and helping to run the lobby.
- Star Gram Chairperson: Aimee Sobkowiak. Photographers: Ethan Frederick and Stella Reny.
- Freddie and the custodial staff at Edison Middle School (thank you for the lunch tables!)
- Kendra Henderson, Luke Henderson, Erin Lyons-Barton, and the Edison Music and Theater Department
- The Meriden YMCA
- Brian Cyr & Meriden Public Schools (thank you for the choral risers)
- CMI Sound & Show Lighting
Director's Note
In 2019, MYT performed a cabaret with the theme “shows we will never do”… but then we immediately contradicted ourselves by performing some shows featured in the cabaret as our Main Stage or Summer Productions. Sister Act was one of the shows featured in the cabaret (it was our parent number, in fact a lot of the parents who performed in the number have children who are in our cast! Special shout out to you all!). For a long time, Sister Act remained on our list of shows we’d never do because we knew how much it required: a certain maturity from the cast to understand the script and it’s many messages and themes, talented actors and actresses to make each character stand out (even in a sea of uniform nun costumes), a very tight and strong chorus to sing out numerous harmonies, lots of nun habits, and most of all, a group whose energy is just too contagious and makes you feel the need to get up and dance with them. But since 2019, we’ve been building and working up to this, many who were in the Rising Star Company at the time started demonstrating exactly what we needed and so we took a leap of faith and were blessed (puns intended) with the most perfect group of 73 middle schoolers. On behalf of all of the MYT staff, we are so proud of this cast because we knew how challenging this show was going to be, yet they all rose to the challenge and bring so much laughter and joy that no audience member can help but smile and laugh (To this day, I still laugh at every joke and I’ve heard it all since day 1 of rehearsals). We were also so honored to have Marissa Perry, who was in the original Broadway Cast of Sister Act, join us during one of rehearsals to cheer us on, talk about her experience, and give us stellar advice (Thank you Chrissy and Kiera for helping us arrange this!) Lastly, we would just like to congratulate the Rising Stars who moved into the Junior Company this year and are already making a huge impact, as well as welcome all of the new students and families to MYT. On behalf of everyone involved: We hope you enjoy the show and boogie along with us!