MORRIS MICKLEWHITE AND THE TANGERINE DRESS
By juliany taveras
Based on the book written by Christine Baldacchino and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
Published by Groundwood Books
Produced by special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences.
Originally co-commissioned by Children’s Theatre Company, Chicago Children’s Theatre, and The Rose Theater.
Directed by Ruthie Scarpino
Art by Leticia Plate
Date April 5 - 27, 2025
Location Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine’s Maddy’s Theatre
Run Time 60 minutes
About
Morris likes lots of things: doing puzzles, painting pictures, pretending to be an astronaut, and wearing a tangerine dress from his school’s dress-up box because it “reminds him of tigers, the sun, and his mother’s hair.” But some of his classmates think boys can’t wear dresses. With his vivid imagination and space-animal friends, Morris travels the galaxy in search of an answer to the all-important question: “Do astronauts wear dresses?”
“Amidst the (often fear-fueled) rules and binaries of the world around us, Morris reminds us of the power of authentic, loving self-expression—even (or at times, especially) when it ruffles the feathers of the status quo.” ~ playwright, juliany taveras
Tickets | $20
The Theatre lobby opens 30 minutes prior to each show, and the doors to the theatre open 15 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets to theatre shows are non-refundable and transferable pending space and availability in other performances.
Show Dates & Times Below
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Theatre Information
Theatre lobby opens 30 minutes prior to the show starting.
Theatre doors open 15 minutes prior to the show starting.
Late seating is permitted.
Dates and times are subject to change.
Performance Details
Member Discount: Members can attend any show in Maddy’s Theatre for a 10% discount. Find out how to become a member today.
ASL-Interpreted Performance: CMTM is offering two dates of ASL-Interpreted performances through the generous support of the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Foundation. ASL will be provided Saturday, April 12 at 3 pm and Saturday, April 19 at 3 pm.
Accessibility
We are committed to making Maddy's Theatre as welcoming as possible. If you have questions about accommodations or would like to reserve an accommodation, please email boxoffice@kitetails.org.
Wider Seat (most of our seats are 18-20 inches wide; we also offer seats that are 23 inches wide
Dedicated wheelchair and companion seats
A seat with a lift arm for easier access
Hearing assistance necklace that helps amplify the sound to your hearing aids
Hearing assistance headset with headphones
Are you looking to book a museum visit to play in the exhibits? Your theatre tickets will stay in your cart for an hour while you reserve other tickets!
Cast + Production Team:
Oskar McGuirl Doerfler ……………….. Morris
Nathaniel Cummons ………………… Morris
Maggie Evans ………………… Mom
Schuyler White ………………… Dad
Maya Williams ………………… Ms. Melo
Ellie Keniston ………………… Becky/Tiger
Alice Cummings ………………… Becky/Tiger
Meredith Keniston ………………… Lila/Giraffe
Sloan Willows ………………… Lila/Giraffe
Amélie Bolduc ………………… Eli/Elephant
Malcolm Baldwin ………………… Eli/Zebra
Ava Keniston …………… Henry/Elephant
Lucia Eng-Botts ………………… Henry/Zebra
Ruthie Scarpino ………………… Director
Tobey Blackman ………………… Creative Lead
Samantha Roche ………………… Stage Manager
Merritt Holman ………………… Assistant Stage Manager
Sage Bartlett ………………… Scenic Design
Kyah Morrissette ………………… Costume Design
Emily Kenny ………………… Lighting Design
Nathan Speckman ………………… Sound Design
Caroline James ………………… Props Design
Oskar McGuirl Doerfler plays Morris Micklewhite
This is Oskar’s (he/him) second performance at CMTM, and being cast as Morris Mickelwhite was ezzzackly what he hoped for! In addition to jungle animals, Oskar also loves cats, skiing and playing DnD. When not in outer space, Oskar loves playing the cello and piano, and making electronic music. His favorite colors are black, white, red, and blue.
Nathaniel Cummons plays Morris Micklewhite
Nathaniel (he/him) is pleased to join the cast of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Credits include: Ogunquit Playhouse: Sound of Music (Kurt von Trapp); Portland Players: Mary Poppins (Michael Banks); Twin City Theater Academy: Annie Jr. (Bert Healy), Ogunquit Playhouse Arts Academy: Seussical (JoJo). When Nathaniel isn’t acting, he’s getting into shenanigans with his younger brothers, running cross country and enjoying his new hobby of crocheting! He thanks his family and gives a special shout out to Ann Guiney, his vocal coach, for always believing in him!
Maggie Evans plays Morris’s Parent
Maggie (she/they) is so excited to be back at Maddy’s Theatre and to be a part of telling Morris’s story. She last appeared in Lyric Music Theater’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as one of the brothers, as well as Elephant & Piggie: We Are In A Play! at Maddy’s Theatre. When not at the theatre, they enjoy crocheting, game nights, and movie marathons.
Schuyler White plays Morris’s Parent
Schuyler (he/him) has a long list of theater credits throughout Southern Maine, with some of his favorite roles including Enjolras in Les Miserables, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd, Dr. Neville Craven in The Secret Garden, Tony in West Side Story, the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas, Paul in Company, William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Captain Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Boris in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, John Utterson in Jekyll & Hyde, Mark Cohen in Rent, and Jinx in Forever Plaid. He has also previously appeared at Maddy's Theatre in Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus, Go Dog Go, Corduroy, The Neverending Story, and Pete The Cat. Schuyler feels tremendously blessed to be part of such a beautiful show with an equally beautiful cast and crew, and he hopes both children and adults will also see the beauty in this special production.
Maya Williams plays Ms. Melo
Maya (ey/they/she) is a religious Black multiracial nonbinary suicide survivor who was selected as Portland, ME's seventh poet laureate for a July 2021 to July 2024 term. Eir debut poetry collection Judas & Suicide (Game Over Books, 2023) was selected as a finalist for the New England Book Award. Their second poetry collection, Refused a Second Date (Harbor Editions, 2023), was selected as a finalist for the Maine Literary Award. Her third poetry collection, the chapbook What's So Wrong with a Pity Party Anyway?, was selected as one of four winners of Garden Party Collective's Chapbook Prize in 2024. Maya's spoken word was selected for two Patrons' Choice Awards by PortFringe in 2019 and 2022. They have performed in person and online with companies and organizations such as Maddy's Theatre, Bare Portland, Speak About It, Mad Horse Theatre Company, Chimera Theatre Collective, Acorn Productions, and Portland Stage. They co-directed for the first time with Joshua N Hsu for Mad Horse Theatre Company's production of White for their 38th season in 2023. Maya was selected as one of Maine Humanities Council's recipients of the Constance Carlson Public Humanities Prize in 2024. Maya is grateful to be in two LGBTQ+ friendly shows in 2025: Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress at Maddy's Theatre and The Legend of Georgia McBride at Mad Horse Theatre Company. Follow her at mayawilliamspoet.com
Eleanor Keniston plays Becky / Tiger
Eleanor (she/her) is so excited to be a part of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress at CMTM! She has done two other plays at Maddy’s Theatre: Dragons Love Tacos and understudying in Snow in the Jungle. Her favorite colors are yellow and green, and she feels most like herself in over-sized hoodies. When not working on shows she likes to figure skate, read, and babysit her younger cousins.
Alice Cummings plays Becky / Tiger
Alice (she/her) is so excited to be a part of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress at The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. She has done numerous performances including Gruff (as Aquifer), The Neverending Story (as Atreyu), and two one-act plays at CMTM! Alice has also been in Broadway JR. at Lyric Music Theater. She is currently in an upcoming short film! This will be her second movie, after starring in the interstitial for the Damnationland festival 2024. When not acting, Alice likes to play field hockey, go skiing, and hang out with her friends.
Meredith Keniston plays Lila / Giraffe
Meredith (she/her) is so excited to be playing the role of Lila in Morris Micklewhite and Tangerine Dress at the CMTM! This is her first appearance on the Maddy’s Theatre stage though she’s been in a number of school productions. In her free time, Meredith likes to read and play outside with her friends in the neighborhood. She hopes you enjoy this play as much as she does!
Sloan Willows plays Lila / Giraffe
Sloan (she/her) is ecstatic to be in Maddy’s Theatre’s production of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress as Lila! She has done many shows in the greater Portland area with some of her favorites being Winnie-the-Pooh, Newsies Jr., and the CMTM Youth Playwright Festival. When Sloan is not acting, you could probably find her doing yoga, dancing, on the phone with friends, having sleepovers, or snuggling with her puppy, Skipperdee. She hopes you come to see the emotional, inspiring show that is Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress.
Ava Keniston plays Henry / Elephant
Ava (she/her) is absolutely ecstatic to be a part of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress at the CMTM! She has appeared in a number of other productions, including Snow in the Jungle and Gruff at Maddy’s Theatre. In Ava’s free time, she often finds herself on the top of a mountain or curled up with a good book and her cat, Baxter.
Lucia Eng-Botts plays Henry / Zebra
Lucia (she/her) is a 7th grader at Waynflete school in Portland and is overjoyed to be a part of the cast for Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress. She is so excited to be in her first production at Maddy's Theater! Lucia has acted in Alice in Wonderland and Sherlock Holmes at Waynflete. She Loves drawing, hiking, listening to music, reading and cooking in her free time.
Amélie Bolduc plays Eli / Elephant
Amélie (she/her) is a sixth grade student in Portland and is so excited to be in her second play at CMTM! Her favorite book is Catching Fire. In her free time Amélie likes playing soccer, drawing, and spending time with her friends and family.
Malcolm Baldwin plays Eli / Zebra
Malcolm (they/them) is new to the theater, but has been performing improv and hip hop for four years. You can always find them wearing their favorite color - a rainbow - by checking out their glasses. While not on stage Malcolm enjoys gaming, anime, sitting at home (not outside), their pets (two cats and a dog), and playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Ruthie Scarpin0 — Director
Ruthie (she/her) is a director, clown, and performance artist hailing from the wilds of Maine. Ruthie's work has taken her internationally, and she has performed and taught with companies in Wales, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain after leaving New York in 2018. Ruthie is known for her specialty in mask, physical theatre, and movement, which she uses like a microscope, zooming in to show what is otherwise unseen. Ruthie’s training, like her specialty, is diverse. She was a gymnast for 13+ years and completed her circus studies under the tutelage of circus greats Gino Farfan and Miguel Caceres. She was an Artist in Residence and Pedagogical Apprentice under one of the last great Corporel Mime masters, Ivan Baciocchi, in Paris, and is an alumni of the prestigious Ecole Internationale de Theatre de Jacques Lecoq. Ruthie is ecstatic to be directing at Maddy’s Theatre, using physical theatre, corporeal mime, and devised practices to direct this phenomenal multigenerational cast.
Tobey Blackman – Creative Lead
Tobey (he/they) has loved acting ever since they were a little kid, he's done a few plays at school and in other public places and is honored to have been the Creative Lead alongside Ruthie for this amazing play! He hopes you enjoy the show!
Samantha Roche – Stage Manager
Samantha (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to the Maddy's Theatre team as stage manager, previously managing Beautiful Blackbird, Elephant & Piggie: We Are In A Play!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, Charlotte’s Web, Go Dog Go, Gruff! An Epic Fairytale Eco-Musical, Three Little Kittens, Blueberries for Sal: The Musical, and A Year With Frog and Toad, and supporting Jack and Phil: Slayers of Giants Inc and Dragons Love Tacos. Other stage managing credits include White, The Addams Family Musical, Lend Me a Tenor, and Into the Woods. Outside the theater, Samantha works for Unum as a Technical Integration Specialist. She lives in Gorham with her husband and their four cats.
Merritt Holman – Assistant Stage Manager
Merritt (she/her) is a Junior at Deering High School in Portland, Maine. She has been with CMTM since she was a young child and is now thrilled to be on the Maddys Theatre Team again for Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress! Merritt was the playwright of Growing Together for the Youth Playwright Festive last year. Merritt also recently appeared as Twinkebell in Sources of Light, one of the many short plays at the Centennial Celebration. She has worked as Assistant Stage Manager or Deck Captain for shows over the past three seasons at Maddy's Theatre! Some of her favorites include Gruff, Winnie the Pooh, Go Dog Go, Corduroy, Red Riding Hood, Knuffle Bunny, Pete the Cat and so many more! She looks forward to continuing her journey on the Maddys Theatre Team for Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress!
Sage Bartlett – Scenic Design
Sage is the Theatre Production Associate here at Maddy's Theatre and is very excited to be given the opportunity to design the set for Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, as it tells such an important story and creates an amazing challenge for set design. Previous credits include: set design for Elephant & Piggie's We are in a Play (Maddy’s Theatre), set design for The Winter’s Tale (USM), and puppet design for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical (Maddy’s Theatre).
Kyah Morrissette – Costume Design
Kyah (they/them) is excited to be designing costumes again at Maddy's Theatre! Recent CMTM credits include Winnie-the-Pooh, Corduroy, and Blueberries for Sal. An actor and director at heart, Kyah got into costuming because of one high school director who believed in them, and they haven't stopped since! When not doing theatre things, Kyah can be found picking odd things off the beach, playing fantasy video games, and hanging out with their four cats and two degus.
Emily Kenny – Lighting Design
Emily (she/her) is very happy to be back at Maddy's theatre! She has previously designed for Winnie-the-Pooh, Knuffle Bunny, and Corduroy. Emily enjoys spending time with her 3 dogs, Tater, Fenrir, and Samus. Thank you for your support!
Nathan Speckman – Sound Design
Nathan (he/him) is an actor/director/playwright/sound designer and excited to be designing at Maddy Theatre's for the first time! Recent sound design credits include Dance Nation (Mad Horse Theatre Co.), The Hobbit, The Comedy of Errors, The Realistic Joneses (The Theater Project), co designing The Thin Place and Sanctuary City alongside Sam Rapaport (Portland Theater Festival) as well as the '22 & '24 Maine Playwrights Festivals. Nathan currently lives in Yarmouth with his partner, Kat, whom he loves and their little noodle, Sir Rufus, who is a good boy. Special thank you to Scott Leland.
Caroline James – Props Design
Caroline (they/them) is an artist and a visitor program associate at CMTM. They love to craft and create and are so excited to be designing props for this incredible show! When not working at the Museum & Theatre, Caroline can be found doing puzzles, beachcombing, and walking their Shih Tzu, Chompy.
