← Parker Pitt

Ever After at The Phoenix Theatre Company

Parker Pitt played Young Danielle / Little Girl in the new musical, which ran May 6 – June 14, 2026, in the Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J Stephenson Theatre.

The cast of Ever After on stage at The Phoenix Theatre Company, 2026. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
The cast of Ever After at The Phoenix Theatre Company. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.

The production

Ever After is a new musical inspired by the 1998 film starring Drew Barrymore, with music by Zina Goldrich, lyrics by Marcy Heisler and a book by Kate Wetherhead. The Phoenix Theatre Company staged it from May 6 to June 14, 2026, in its new Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J Stephenson Theatre, directed by Marlo Hunter with choreography by Billy Griffin.1

The show asks what the theatre calls a playful question: what if Cinderella was inspired by a real young woman, Danielle de Barbarac, “a heroine who, against all odds, dared to defy expectations, challenge a prince, and forge her own future?”2 There is no fairy godmother. Leonardo da Vinci narrates the story.4

The musical took a long road to Phoenix. Its first New York reading was in 2007. It premiered at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in 2015, played Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in 2019, had a concert staging in Minnesota in 2023 and a New York workshop in 2025.6

“Ever After is a love letter to the power of storytelling — stories we’re born into, the ones we choose to rewrite, and the timeless human tradition of immortalizing those we’ve loved.”Marlo Hunter, director, in the theatre’s announcement2

Parker’s role

Parker played Young Danielle / Little Girl, the heroine as a child. She is named in the role in the theatre’s cast list.1

Cast

The company was led by Bailee Endebrock as Danielle, Drama Desk nominee Jason Gotay as Prince Henry, Tony nominee David Garrison as Leonardo da Vinci and Drama Desk winner Lisa Howard as the stepmother, Rodmilla.3 Also in the cast were Grace Rogers (Marguerite), Andrea Macasaet (Jacqueline), Kate Cook (Queen Marie), D. Scott Withers (King Francis), Teddy Ladley (Laurent), Luke Kolbe Mannikus (Gustave) and Jesse Sharp (Auguste).1

Jason Gotay as Prince Henry and Bailee Endebrock as Danielle in Ever After. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Jason Gotay as Prince Henry and Bailee Endebrock as Danielle. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
David Garrison as Leonardo da Vinci in Ever After. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
David Garrison as Leonardo da Vinci. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Andrea Macasaet, Bailee Endebrock, Lisa Howard and Grace Rogers in Ever After. Photo: Bailey Crawford for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Andrea Macasaet as Jacqueline, Bailee Endebrock as Danielle, Lisa Howard as Rodmilla and Grace Rogers as Marguerite. Photo: Bailey Crawford for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Bailee Endebrock as Danielle and Lisa Howard as Rodmilla in Ever After. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Bailee Endebrock as Danielle and Lisa Howard as Rodmilla. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Luke Kolbe Mannikus as Gustave and Bailee Endebrock as Danielle in Ever After. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Luke Kolbe Mannikus as Gustave and Bailee Endebrock as Danielle. Photo: Brennen Russell for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Grace Rogers, Lisa Howard and Kate Cook in Ever After. Photo: Bailey Crawford for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Grace Rogers as Marguerite, Lisa Howard as Rodmilla and Kate Cook as Queen Marie. Photo: Bailey Crawford for The Phoenix Theatre Company.

Creative team

Music, Zina Goldrich · Lyrics, Marcy Heisler · Book, Kate Wetherhead · Direction, Marlo Hunter · Choreography, Billy Griffin · Scenic design, Reid Thompson · Costumes, Kish Finnegan · Lighting, Jeff Croiter · Sound, Dave Temby · Hair and make-up, Avant Johnston · Orchestrations, Doug Besterman · Music direction, Kevin Robert White · Casting, Chelsea Anderson and The TRC Company (Claire Burke, CSA).1

Reviews

“The gifted cast, richly realized creative elements, and confident direction in The Phoenix Theatre Company's production all work together to create a theatrical experience that feels both lively and insightful.”Gil Benbrook, Talkin’ Broadway7
“Marlo Hunter’s never-stopping production with splashy choreography by Billy Griffin is filled with dancing, merriment, and abundant infectious charm.”Chris Curcio, Curtain Up Phoenix8
“The Phoenix Theatre Company’s production is a beautiful and very funny rendition of the musical.”Cheyenne Lewis, BroadwayWorld9
“The creative elements are rich and lovely with the combination of Reid Thompson's fairly expansive set, Jeff Croiter's gorgeous lighting, and Alanna Maniscalco's imaginative prop designs creating many lovely stage images.”Gil Benbrook, Talkin’ Broadway7
The company of Ever After in a full-stage number at The Phoenix Theatre Company. Photo: Bailey Crawford for The Phoenix Theatre Company.
The company of Ever After. Photo: Bailey Crawford for The Phoenix Theatre Company.

In the news

  • Apr 7, 2026. The Phoenix Theatre Company announces the production and its leading cast.2
  • May 14, 2026. Playbill publishes production highlights: “Watch Highlights From Ever After Musical, Starring Jason Gotay, Bailee Endebrock.”3
  • May 16 – 23, 2026. Reviews from Curtain Up Phoenix, Talkin’ Broadway and BroadwayWorld.7–9
  • Images Arizona profiles composer Zina Goldrich and the show’s road to Phoenix in “Human Magic.”6
  • The theatre’s essay “Not A Cinderella Story, A Human Story.”5

Ever After on phoenixtheatre.com ↗

References

  1. The Phoenix Theatre Company, “Ever After” (show page: dates, cast list, creative team, reviews). phoenixtheatre.com/events/ever-after
  2. The Phoenix Theatre Company, press release, April 7, 2026. PDF
  3. Andrew Gans, “Watch Highlights From Ever After Musical, Starring Jason Gotay, Bailee Endebrock,” Playbill, May 14, 2026. playbill.com
  4. Chris Curcio, “‘Ever After’ – The Phoenix Theatre Company,” Curtain Up Phoenix, May 16, 2026. curtainupphoenix.com
  5. The Phoenix Theatre Company, “Not A Cinderella Story, A Human Story.” phoenixtheatre.com
  6. “Human Magic,” Images Arizona. imagesarizona.com
  7. Gil Benbrook, review of Ever After, Talkin’ Broadway (Phoenix), May 2026. talkinbroadway.com. Excerpts also on the theatre’s show page and in PHX Stages, May 19, 2026.
  8. Chris Curcio, Curtain Up Phoenix, May 16, 2026 (quoted on the theatre’s show page). curtainupphoenix.com
  9. Cheyenne Lewis, “Review: EVER AFTER at Phoenix Theatre Company,” BroadwayWorld, May 23, 2026. broadwayworld.com

Production photography by Brennen Russell and Bailey Crawford for The Phoenix Theatre Company, used with the theatre’s permission.