“The Cornbread Kid” is a joy to watch. The one-act play benefits from great performances across the board, from the leads and narrator down to the supporting cast, but perhaps its greatest asset is the audience itself. From the very first moment, children are not just watching the story unfold, they are part of it, warning, pointing, and helping guide the adventure.
The play puts a fresh spin on the Gingerbread Man tale. A fast and curious Cornbread Kid runs away from her cornstalk parents and discovers a vibrant world of colorful wetland creatures. Along the way, she learns a beautiful lesson about how nature thrives through connection, and even more meaningfully, she comes to understand just how lucky she is to have parents who love her.
The excitement builds as Cornbread Kid races to find her way home, with the Hungry Man hot on her trail! Her new swamp friends and the audience become her greatest helpers.
A special round of applause goes to director and producer Ms. Katrina Ortiz for crafting a show that is equal parts entertaining and meaningful. "The Cornbread Kid" is proof that with the right mix of wit, teamwork, and heart, even your local library can become the stage for something truly magical. This is one show the whole family will be talking about long after the curtain falls!
And no show happens without the incredible backstage crew. They kept the magic running smoothly behind the scenes.
“The Cornbread Kid, A Fast-paced Fable” By Erin Lekovic is currently on the Mesa Verde Elementary School Library (3801 College Boulevard). Tickets are free for parents. The running time is 45 minutes with no intermission.
Full Cast
NARRATOR: Paige Lambson
Understudy: Hayley Bair
MOSQUITO: Abbie Nez
Understudy: Annelise Garcia
CAROL CORN: Aleesia Alexander
Understudy: Sophia Bochinclonny
KERNEL BILL: Jaxxon Bromley
Understudy: Maddox Rino
CORNBREAD KID: Mia Bustamante
CORNBREAD KID: Emelia Charging
GOPHER TORTOISE: Brantley Killifer
Understudy: Mackenzie Etsitty
BURMESE PYTHON: Regina Chavez
Understudy: Brooklyn Clark
SANDHILL CRANE: Olivia Ramirez
Understudy: Gabrielle McCurry
CYPRESS TREE: Sophia Stewart
Understudy: Elisa Rodriguez-Ochoa
ALLIGATOR: Malcolm Peters
Understudy: Gabriel Holloway
HUNGRY MAN: Thane Martinez
Understudy: Demetrian Blackwell
Backstage Team
Hailey White
Sofia Scott
Alyizah Begay
Ethyn Peace
Brantley Cassels
Max Ortiz