Pushcart Players Present A CINDERELLA TALE…HAPPILY EVER AFTER at Tribeca PAC

Pushcart Players presents "A Cinderella Tale...happily ever after" at Tribeca Performing Arts Center, NYC on Friday and Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd. Twice nominated for an Emmy, Pushcart Players is the recipient of numerous state and private awards for excellence and innovation, and has traveled nearly three million miles nationally and abroad -- from the little red schoolhouse to White House - stirring up serious fun since 1974.

"Happily Ever After" is the musical about Cinderella, a young woman whose kindness changes her dreary circumstances into remarkable fortune. A less-than-perfect stepfamily, magical transformations, a missing slipper, and a search by a prince for his true love illuminate the triumphant account.

Based on a legend first told more than a thousand years ago, the story is informed by the universal longing to overcome adversity. It's about dreaming dreams, and about goodness, generosity, and compassion.

"It's also about things that help us learn and grow," said Ruth Fost, Pushcart co-founder and playwright / lyricist for the production. "We address the dark side of aggressive behavior, the importance of making good choices, and being responsible for those choices. A moral of the story is that beauty can be treasured, but graciousness is priceless. Without it, nothing is possible; with it, one can do anything."

The cast of "Happily Ever After" includes Stacie Gogo (Cinderella), Oise Ohiwerei (Prince), Nicole Colon (Stepmother / Godmother), and Melissa Cox (Griselda). Stacie Gogo is a graduate of Wilkes University with a B.A. in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance. Gogo appeared Off-Broadway as a Kit Kat Girl in "Cabaret" at The Players Theatre, as Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray" at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, in the ensemble of "Grease!" at the Surflight Theatre, and in international tours. Oise Ohiwerei was recently seen as a videographer at the New York Fringe Festival and in the short film 'Solutions' which was selected to be screened at the Chain NYC Film Festival.

Nicole Colon has performed in national tours of "Legally Blonde" and "Fiddler on the Roof," and in New York productions of "My Big Gay Italian Wedding/Funeral" and "Queen Bees." Regionally, she has appeared in "West Side Story", "Legally Blonde," "Hairspray," "High School Musical," "All Shook Up," "Les Misérables," and "Showboat." Melissa Cox is a master graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she studied Musical Theater as well. Cox performed the role of Beth in "Little Women" in Maplewood NJ and has been seen as Martha in "Spring Awakening" and Sister in "Damn Yankees."

Music for "Happily Ever After" is by award-winning composer Larry Hochman and his daughter, Laurie Hochman. Producing artistic director Paul Whelihan directs the production. Larry Hochman is the Tony Award-winner for orchestrations for "She Loves Me" (2016 revival) and Tony and Drama Desk award-winner for "The Book of Mormon." He received Tony nominations for "The Scottsboro Boys," "Monty Python's Spamalot," (Hochman also received Drama Desk nominations for both), "Fiddler on the Roof" (2004 revival) and "A Class Act." Larry was the orchestrator for the recent "Hello, Dolly!" revival starring Bette Midler, and composed additional music for Disney's "Little Mermaid,' for Stephen Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" and for numerous celebrity concerts. Hochman's other awards include the ASCAP Award for Musical Theater ("One Man Band"), 4 Emmy Awards for "The Wonder Pets" television series and a Bistro Award for composing "One Man Band."

Paul Whelihan directs, stage-manages and performs off-Broadway (47th Street Theater, 59 East 59 Theatres, NY Fringe Festival, 54 Below) and regionally (Royal Poincianna Playhouse, Broward Center for the Arts, Centenary Stage, The Bickford Theatre, The Growing Stage, Luna Stage Company, Forum Cultural Arts Center, Quillo Arts Center, Premier Stages, Dreamcatcher Rep) in musicals, dramas, original works and locally produced television, film and web series projects.

Tribeca Performing Arts Center is lower Manhattan's longest operating performance venue dedicated to identifying, supporting, and presenting established and emerging artists in a variety of disciplines. Tribeca PAC offers a broad global perspective through high quality theater, music, dance, film and visual art that celebrates diversity, inspires creativity and instills social awareness. Tribeca PAC is located at 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007. Performances of "A Cinderella Tale...happily ever after" are on November 2 at 10:15 am and 12:00 noon, and November 3 at 11:00 am. Tickets can be reserved by calling 212-220-1460 or visit the website: www.tribecapac.org.

For further information on this or any of Pushcart's programs and services, contact Pushcart Players at 973-857-1115 or visit the website at www.pushcartplayers.org.

PHOTO CREDIT: Melody Moore Photography

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