Once upon a dream . . . .

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The cast of “It Starts With a Dream” waits anxiously behind the curtain for their big reveal. Yes, this is a disposable picture. (Photo Credit: Grace Horeckzo ’22)

Katie Thomas, Arts & Entertainment Editor

This show was made for me.

The lovingly named “group” of “It Starts With A Dream” performs a medley of Disney songs. Look at those great costumes! (Photo Credit: Jim Watson)

Now, I’ve believed this statement many times before: once while watching “Proof” for the first time, once while improv-ing for “Song of Love” in “Once Upon A Mattress,” and once while watching “Anastasia” on-stage twice in one month. However, I’m not sure the statement has ever been so true as it was for “It Starts With A Dream: A Disney Revue.”

The “group” poses together on (W)Onesie Wednesday after a late rehearsal. (Photo Credit: Anna DiCrisi)

Now, if you’ve ever been in my room, you would be certain to find my shelf of Disney-related books, maps, and figures. You would see the Mickey ears on my wall. You would find the drawer filled with–you guessed it–more Mickey ears. You would see my Minnie backpack, my old princess costumes, my many t-shirts, and…you get the idea.

Plainly put, I was beyond excited when I heard we would be doing a show solely filled with song after song after song from Disney classics.

However, to my delighted surprise, the show more than exceeded my expectations.

The beloved “AMOG US” was painted on the back of our magic storybook. (Photo Credit: Katie Thomas)

I didn’t expect our newfound love of the “Dispo” app–and of real disposable cameras. I didn’t expect to become addicted to singing “He’s a Tramp” almost nightly. I didn’t expect to be able to wear bright pink pants on the stage every night. I didn’t expect Aly Gastinell ‘22 to save my life (and those of all other actors and techs) with nightly cough drops for our slowly tiring voices. I didn’t expect to match costumes perfectly with Cadiz Salazar ‘23 and Servite’s Matt Ellersick ‘23, sharing our love of all shades of pink. I didn’t expect to grow to love the term “AMOG US” (yes, amog). I didn’t expect to watch every tech perform not one but TWO different numbers from the show (and do it better than us).

Servite’s Matt Ellersick ’23 and I adore leading lady Bridgette Sanders ’23. And look at that gorgeous set! (Photo provided by Katie Thomas)

I didn’t expect to be able to make the necklace I share with the one and only Bridgette Sanders ‘23 a part of my costume. I didn’t expect to stare down the audience singing “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and know that, at the very least, I could. And I didn’t expect to have a chance, on the stage I’ve now spent four years performing on, to say a preliminary goodbye to my friends and to the program I’ve grown to know and love.

I did, however, expect that I would be sobbing like a baby by the last afternoon.

This was quite possibly the weirdest, most stressful, and most rewarding tech week ever. We came an incredibly long way in less than a week, adding in costumes, mics, the band, the set, and a full cast only a couple of nights before opening. Though, in looking back the process seems like a blur. It is an experience I know I will never ever forget.

Our perfect production crew Aly Gastinell ’22, Anna DiCrisi ’22, and Maya Casteneda pose on the rolling bed. (Photo Credit: Katie Thomas)

I leave you with a quote from leading lady Bridgette Sanders at our final circle: “I know that they say ‘a dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep,’ but this has proven to me that they can happen while you’re wide awake.”