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Ghostlight presents ‘Cinderella’ at Sequim High School

Published 1:30 am Monday, March 23, 2026

By Matthew Nash

Danielle Lorentzen, who plays Cinderella, rehearses with Ethan Hoch as Prince Topher for Ghostlight Productions’ “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” set to run through Sunday at Sequim High School. The 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday will feature a special photo opportunity after the show with Lorentzen and the rest of the cast. Attendees are invited to dress up for the occasion in Cinderella-inspired clothing. (Ghostlight Productions)
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Danielle Lorentzen, who plays Cinderella, rehearses with Ethan Hoch as Prince Topher for Ghostlight Productions’ “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” set to run through Sunday at Sequim High School. The 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday will feature a special photo opportunity after the show with Lorentzen and the rest of the cast. Attendees are invited to dress up for the occasion in Cinderella-inspired clothing. (Ghostlight Productions)

Danielle Lorentzen, who plays Cinderella, rehearses with Ethan Hoch as Prince Topher for Ghostlight Productions’ “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” set to run through Sunday at Sequim High School. The 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday will feature a special photo opportunity after the show with Lorentzen and the rest of the cast. Attendees are invited to dress up for the occasion in Cinderella-inspired clothing. (Ghostlight Productions)
Cinderella (Danielle Lorentzen) talks with her stepsister Gabrielle (Dakota Cassinelli) in a scene from “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.” Tickets for the show can be purchased at ghostlightwa.org. (Ghostlight Productions)

SEQUIM — The magic is back for Ghostlight Productions as the theater company brings its spring musical “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” to Sequim High School.

Show director Mark Lorentzen said organizers wanted to start the season with a light, family-friendly show.

“We did great shows that were a bit dramatic like ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Sweeney Todd,’ and with ‘Cinderella,’ this version is so charming,” said Lorentzen, who also serves as the show’s music director.

Clocking in at about two hours including intermission, Lorentzen said it will be a “great night out for the whole family.”

Shows begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Sequim High School auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave.

Saturday’s matinee will feature a special opportunity following the show during which audience members will be invited to stay for a photo with Cinderella, played by Danielle Lorentzen, and the entire cast. Children are invited to dress in Cinderella‑inspired outfits.

For tickets, visit ghostlightwa.org.

Ghostlight’s production follows the 2013 Broadway version. Lorentzen said he’s found many people are surprised that “Cinderella” didn’t debut until then as fans tend to think of Julie Andrews or Lesley Ann Warren’s TV movies in 1957 and 1965.

Lorentzen said the 2013 version adds some themes that are applicable to the world today while maintaining its magical fairy-tale feeling.

“There are some undertones,” he said. “Cinderella doesn’t just want to find a prince, she wants to improve the kingdom.”

“A side story character they added (Jean-Michel, played by Sean McDaniel) challenges the kingdom to listen to the people more.

“It’s all done in a light-hearted, comedic way and ultimately it comes down to a story of kindness … if people were a little kinder to each other, we’d fix the world.”

The main plot points remain the same for fans of Cinderella as she lives with her stepmother (Shahida Shahrir Mellon) and stepsisters (Becca Van Dyken and Dakota Cassinelli) while obeying their constant demands. Cinderella’s fairy godmother (Janice Parks) uses magic to give her a new gown, glass slippers and carriage that all last until midnight to meet Prince Topher (Ethan Hoch) at the royal ball.

Lorentzen said they use only practical effects, including Cinderella’s transformation from peasant clothes to a ball gown occurring before the audience’s eyes, similar to Broadway’s version.

“Kids are going to see it and feel it’s so magical,” he said.

The show features songs throughout, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Impossible.”

Other cast members include Caleb Crawford, Bowden Cowgill, Aason Judd, Alexander Rodriguez, Brooklyn McKnight, Emily Rodriguez, Grace Possinger, Hannah Wood, Hayden Pomeroy, Jordan Crawford, Kydn Meyer, Lili Mitchell, Maddie Adams, Ozzie Hernandez, Quinn Valentine, Sage Bateman and Selah Turrey.

Continued support

Lorentzen and Anna Pederson, the show’s choreographer for the ball, also are working on Sequim High School’s operetta “The Wizard of Oz,” coming in May.

“Cinderella” was originally set to run in October but delayed until the Sequim School District finalized an updated fee schedule for facility rentals.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Ghostlight Productions has set its second-annual Ghostlight Gala for 5 p.m. April 18 at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles to support its 2026 season and continued operations of the Lincoln Theater in Port Angeles. There will be live Broadway-inspired performances from Ghostlight artists and special guests, dinner, raffles and more.

Lorentzen said Ghostlight’s leaders are looking first to renovate the building west of the Lincoln Theater so they can start teaching classes by this summer.

“We’ve put the focus on what we can do now,” he said.

The organization continues to seek grants and additional funding to finalize the theater’s renovation.

For more information, visit ghostlightwa.org.

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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. He can be reached by email at matthew.nash@sequimgazette.com.

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