"Willow & Houston..." Cast and Creative Team

An original musical theatre mashup conceived, written, and performed by members of the Saint Mary’s Class of 2023. Catch performances April 20–23.

by Deanna Zibello | April 6, 2023 | April 6, 2023

Saint Mary's College Performing Arts Department and Theatre Program proudly present an original musical theatre mashup, Willow and Houston Throw the Grad Party of the F*cking Century. Conceived, written, and performed by members of the class of 2023, Willow and Houston… features original material written by Julian Villegas (he/him), combined with songs, scenes, and monologues from contemporary plays and musicals. Seniors Skyelar Clouse (she/her) and Gabriella Thomas (she/her) round out the dramaturgy, playwriting and editing team, and all three appear in the production.

Other senior Theatre majors collaborating on this capstone project include Kenji Costantini (he/him), who performs in the production; Kendra Eisenmann (she/her), Co-costume Coordinator and performer; Xavier Romero (he/him) who performs the title character of Houston; Torren Valera (he/they), Sound Designer; and Miranda Vega (she/her), Stage Manager.

“Willow and Houston… unfolded out of the students’ inmost desires,” said the faculty advisor for the project, Associate Professor Deanna Zibello (she/her). “After years of separation from one another and expectations turned upside down, these seniors wanted nothing more than to create one cohesive project together – and to make audiences forget about their cares, and laugh.”

In this all-too-relatable tale, twins Willow and Houston are throwing a graduation party, and Willow needs it to be perfect. But when old high school enemies show up uninvited, nothing goes as planned. Featuring songs from beloved contemporary musicals like Spring Awakening and Jagged Little Pill, Willow and Houston… asks the question, how can we cope with an uncertain future in a time of change? 

In keeping with the by-students, for-students aesthetic, the production is being directed by a team of five undergraduate student directors: Ryanne Biernat (she/her), Joanne Houston (she/her), Avery Monson (she/her), and Melody Ng (she/her), with senior Dylan Cazin (he/him) serving as Assistant Director. “We’re so proud to have a record number of students in leadership roles on this show,” said Zibello. Other indispensable collaborators include Emma Ledesma (she/her) who does double duty as Costume Designer and playing the title role of Willow; Chey Torres, Wardrobe Designer; Assistant Stage Managers Lanie Carleton (she/her) and Carolyn Gersten (she/her); Audio Engineer Maya Dahlbacka (she/her); Scenic Designer Bridget Douglas (she/her); Assistant Lighting Designer Rylee Cagle (she/her); and Co-Props Managers Jasmine Farmer (she/her) and Sienna Perez (she/her). There are even more students – too many for us to mention – building scenery, ushering, serving as backstage crew and working on publicity. See the full program here.

The Willow and Houston… cast reflects the diversity of Saint Marys’ student body and showcases the talents of the College’s award-winning Performing Arts Department. The performers, who range from first-years to seniors, come from a wide variety of majors—including Justice, Community & Leadership; Environmental Studies; Psychology; and of course, Performance and Theatre Studies. In addition to those named above, the ensemble includes Roya Amirsheybani (she/her), Lucy Bikahi (she/her), Erin Coleville  (she/her), Sara Guillen (she/her), Diego Hammana (he/him), Ka’Nayah Landers-Daniels (she/her), Esteban LeCam (he/him), and Connor McGilvray (he/him). 

Finally, our students are mentored and advised in their work by a team of expert faculty and professional guest artists, including Directing Mentor Mike DiSalvo (he/him), Musical Director Patrick Burns (he/they), Movement Director Micah Sallid (she/they), Lighting Designer Stephanie Johnson (she/her), Master Electrician Danielle Ferguson (she/her). Intimacy Consultant Alejandra Maria Rivas (she/they/elle), and Production Manager/Technical Director Beckett Finn (he/him).

Performances:
Thursday, April 20 8pm
Friday, April 21 6pm
Saturday, April 22 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, April 23 2pm

Tickets: $8 SMC students; $12 SMC faculty and staff, non-SMC students;  $15 general

Purchase tickets online at www.stmarys-ca.edu/willow-houston. ADA & other information: contact Performing Arts Coordinator and Events Manager Tara Sundy at 925-631-4670 or tms8@stmarys-ca.edu

Watch the PROMO here!