Welcome to our production

LITTLE GIRL.... Nina Karachristos+

STORYTELLER.... Olivia Clarke****

STORYTELLER.... Kamy Giacomarro**

STORYTELLER.... Miliana Kozlowski**

STORYTELLER.... Alessia Mirci+

STORYTELLER.... Valentina Quijano+

STORYTELLER.... Carter Stepkoski+

ASAKA.... Hailey Grace Bayusik*******

AGWE.... Marcella Sorensen***

ERZULIE.... Sara Wilonski+

PAPA GE.... Kolbe Lucas**

LITTLE TI MOUNE.... Calyn Akacki+

MAMA EURALIE.... Bridy O'Neill**

TONTON JULIAN.... Ben Grumet+

TI MOUNE.... Kiana Stevens***

DANIEL.... Gordon Beck+

GOSSIPER.... Rose D'Angelo***

GOSSIPER.... Fiona Kingston+

DANIEL'S MOTHER/GATEKEEPER.... Cathleen Coughlin+

ANDREA.... Addyson Davis***

+ Denotes first Spotlight Production

* Denotes each Spotlight Production cast member has been a part of

DIRECTOR.... Christopher Zullo

MUSICAL DIRECTOR.... Fiona Bryson

CHOREOGRAPHER.... Michelle Bonavena

SHOW RUNNER.... Rachel Popolizio

SET DESIGNER.... Christopher Zullo

SOUND DESIGNER.... Richard Ives

LIGHTING DESIGNER.... Mick Gloss

COSTUME & PROP DESIGN.... Christopher Zullo

ALTERATIONS.... Shannon Denihan

SET BUILDERS.... Brian Zullo, Christopher Zullo

BACKSTAGE .... Michelle Bonavena, Rachel Popolizio

FOLLOW SPOT OP.... Darby O'Neill

DANCE CAPTAINS.... Addyson Davis, Kamy Giacomarro

WEBSITE & PROGRAM DESIGN.... Christopher Zullo

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.... Christopher Zullo

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR....  Vincent McCoy

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR.... Mick Gloss

BOARD PRESIDENT.....................................  John Holt

BOARD TREASURER....................................  Brian Zullo

BOARD SECRETARY.....................................  Lauren Turenne

PROLOGUE.... COMPANY

WE DANCE.... COMPANY

WAITING FOR LIFE.... TI MOUNE, DANIEL, COMPANY

AND THE GODS HEARD HER PRAYER....  ASAKA, AGWE, ERZULIE, PAPA GE

RAIN..... AGWE, TI MOUNE, STORYTELLERS

DISCOVERING DANIEL....  TI MOUNE, DANIEL

PRAY..... COMPANY

FOREVER YOURS.... TI MOUNE, DANIEL, PAPA GE

TI MOUNE.... MAMA, TONTON, TI MOUNE

MAMA WILL PROVIDE.... ASAKA, TI MOUNE, COMPANY

THE HUMAN HEART.... ERZULIE

PRAY (REPRISE).... GOSSIPERS, TI MOUNE, DANIEL, DANIEL'S MOTHER

THE BALL.... STORYTELLERS, ANDREA, DANIEL, TI MOUNE

TI MOUNE'S DANCE.... TI MOUNE, MAMA, TONTON, LITTLE GIRL

ANDREA SEQUENCE.... ANDREA, DANIEL, TI MOUNE

PROMISES/FOREVER YOURS (REPRISE).. TI MOUNE, PAPA GE

WEDDING SEQUENCE.... TI MOUNE, COMPANY

A PART OF US.... MAMA, LITTLE TI MOUNE, TONTON, COMPANY

WHY WE TELL THE STORY.... COMPANY

BOWS

Why Do I Tell The Story? Why have I told this story three times? Something continuously pulls me back to this show and I always feel like something has been left unsaid. I think with this production of talented young people I have finally said everything I've needed to with this particular show. A story about love overcoming all, resonates with everyone differently. This story about someone finding themselves, and finding their purpose in life to give of themselves in the name of love until there is nothing left to give, is a beautiful concept to me.  

When I embarked on opening Spotlight Stage Company, in 2018, as a theater for the community, it didn't include youth theatre because, quite frankly the notion overwhelmed and terrified me. But a friend convinced me to have a go at it, and it was the most rewarding experience I'd had in my theatrical life. This is our fourth Youth production in 4 years. These kids have shown me that they can take on more challenging and difficult material year after year. The most rewarding part of these productions for me is to see the kids that have been with me for years, grow stronger and stronger as performers and people, and the kids that are new to me who were so afraid to even open their mouths at the beginning of this process are shining onstage without any fear at all.

At the beginning of each production, I ask the kids to raise their hands if they want to be an entertainer when they grow up vs those who are doing theatre for fun. Once the hands go up I explain my ulterior motives: Those that raised their hands and want to do this professionally are going to be pushed more, and harder and a lot more will be expected of them. The more we pushed, the more they uncovered their talents and the stronger they became with their craft.

With a cast like this, the foundation that makes them so great in this production could only have been forged with the talented team of artists that have supported them over the last two months. Our music director Fiona Bryson is such a spectacular teacher, and a talented musician, who was fun, patient and compassionate during her time with these kids. Michelle Bonavena, our incredible choreographer who has been with me since 2020, has been such a major influence on me as an artist, a teacher and a friend. We have such a great collaborative relationship which makes these productions so rewarding. Our show runner, Rachel Popolizio, who has also done this show with me three times, moved to Florida to start the next chapter in her life, but wasn't quite ready to let go of this part of her life in CT. She flew back to CT to help us run the show this entire week and offer her creative vision to our cast and crew and we're so grateful to have her back. 

Growing a community theater for the last five and a half years has had its pains and struggles, as well as its rewards, and it seems we have finally found our dream team of creative artists to continue the mission of Spotlight. As we depart this Island, the "jewel of the Antilles," and set our sights on other shores, we hope you will join us again in the future, either on stage or in the audience as we embark on our next journey. 

Thank you for supporting young artists. Thank you for supporting community theatre, and thank you for supporting arts education. To all of the parents, thank you for trusting me with the safety and well-being of your children, and the advancement of their artistic education. I hope you enjoy the show, and "I hope that you will tell this tale tomorrow."

With The Utmost Gratitude,

Christopher Zullo

Artistic Director

We would like to thank all of the parent's and families  for supporting and encouraging their children to embark on a journey in musical theatre. The arts are so underfunded and we all struggle but once the show is on its feet and presented to our dedicated families, it makes it all worth it. 

A very special thank you to the Town of Seymour for inviting us into their community and to be a part of their arts community going forward. We wouldn't be here without the help of Brian Zullo, Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, Town Facilities Manager Tim Connors, Seymour Middle School Principal Keith O'Rourke, the Seymour Middle School Staff and Custodians and the team behind the dream that makes it all happen.

As always our sponsors who help us to produce these productions and create new exciting opportunities for our ever growing SSC family: Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union, Birch & Flame Marketing, and Outfront Billboards. A special thank you to Daddio's here in Seymour for loaning us the props to form our car for this production.

Thank you to our team that collaborates on each production and builds each production together as a team. Our productions are surrounded by so much love and care, because we support one another as we create each production from scratch. Thank you Vinny, Mick, Michelle, Fiona, Rachel, Rich and Christopher for everything you've accomplished as a team.

As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of our community to continue bringing great theater to our audiences. 

Have a question or comment? We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Home Page to send us a message, give us a call, or connect with us on social media. We're always happy to chat with our audience and supporters.