(l-r) Ernestine (Sydney Davis), Martha (Annie Redd) and Anne (Mattie Mount) reveal Anne's new "teddy" to Dad (Nic Stratton).
Audiences stepped into the hilarious and heartwarming world of the Gilbreth family when the Broadway Bound Vista Theatre Project (BBVTP) presented the comedy Cheaper by the Dozen July 17-20, 2025, in the Cardinal Newman School Performing Arts Center.
Adapted from the beloved semi-autobiographical novel by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, Cheaper by the Dozen follows the unforgettable Gilbreths – an eccentric family of twelve lively children and two efficiency expert parents – as they navigate the joys and challenges of life in the 1920s. From uproarious pranks and tender moments to the ingenious ways they manage a household of fourteen, this fast-paced comedy celebrates family, resilience, and the ties that keep us together. Brimming with laughter, love, and timeless lessons, Cheaper by the Dozen is a charming, crowd-pleasing production that is perfect for audiences of all ages.
Following the novel’s publication in 1948, 20th Century Fox made Cheaper by the Dozen into a 1950 motion picture starring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy as Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Cheaper by the Dozen was then adapted as a stage play in 1950 by Christopher Sergel.
The BBVTP’s Gilbreth family was led by Nic Stratton as Frank Gilbreth Sr. and Leighton Mount as Lillian Moller Gilbreth, with Mattie Mount as daughter Anne, Sydney Davis as Ernestine, Annie Redd as Martha, Zach Cieri as Frank Jr., J. Hess as Bill, Aleah Headen as Lillian, A. Stratton as Fred, C. Diaz and William Thomasson (alternating) as Dan; B. Clary as Jackie; Gracelynn Wall as Jane; Eli Corvi as Mary; and Rilo Diaz as baby Bob. Narrating the story were the adult Frank Jr. and Ernestine (Ed Davis and Dianne Palmer-Quay), with the cast rounded out by Angela Bernardo, Gwen Bernardo, Grayson Davis, Matt Wright, Dedra Daniels Mount, Clayton King and Tracy Steele. King and Steele also entertained audiences with live renditions of period songs during each performance.
Cheaper by the Dozen, sponsored by Ken & Cheryl Wheat, was directed by Dedra Daniels Mount.
Performances were 7:30 p.m. July 17-18 and 2:30 p.m. July 19-20. Tickets were $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and military. A special rate of $15 per ticket was available for groups of 12 or more (because, of course, tickets were “cheaper by the dozen”).
Adapted from the beloved semi-autobiographical novel by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, Cheaper by the Dozen follows the unforgettable Gilbreths – an eccentric family of twelve lively children and two efficiency expert parents – as they navigate the joys and challenges of life in the 1920s. From uproarious pranks and tender moments to the ingenious ways they manage a household of fourteen, this fast-paced comedy celebrates family, resilience, and the ties that keep us together. Brimming with laughter, love, and timeless lessons, Cheaper by the Dozen is a charming, crowd-pleasing production that is perfect for audiences of all ages.
Following the novel’s publication in 1948, 20th Century Fox made Cheaper by the Dozen into a 1950 motion picture starring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy as Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Cheaper by the Dozen was then adapted as a stage play in 1950 by Christopher Sergel.
The BBVTP’s Gilbreth family was led by Nic Stratton as Frank Gilbreth Sr. and Leighton Mount as Lillian Moller Gilbreth, with Mattie Mount as daughter Anne, Sydney Davis as Ernestine, Annie Redd as Martha, Zach Cieri as Frank Jr., J. Hess as Bill, Aleah Headen as Lillian, A. Stratton as Fred, C. Diaz and William Thomasson (alternating) as Dan; B. Clary as Jackie; Gracelynn Wall as Jane; Eli Corvi as Mary; and Rilo Diaz as baby Bob. Narrating the story were the adult Frank Jr. and Ernestine (Ed Davis and Dianne Palmer-Quay), with the cast rounded out by Angela Bernardo, Gwen Bernardo, Grayson Davis, Matt Wright, Dedra Daniels Mount, Clayton King and Tracy Steele. King and Steele also entertained audiences with live renditions of period songs during each performance.
Cheaper by the Dozen, sponsored by Ken & Cheryl Wheat, was directed by Dedra Daniels Mount.
Performances were 7:30 p.m. July 17-18 and 2:30 p.m. July 19-20. Tickets were $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and military. A special rate of $15 per ticket was available for groups of 12 or more (because, of course, tickets were “cheaper by the dozen”).
The Gilbreth Family (kneeling, l-r: Lord Nelson [Charlie Goff], Frank Jr. [Zach Cieri], Fred [A. Stratton], Dan [C. Diaz], Jackie [B. Clary]; seated, l-r: Martha [Annie Redd], Bill [J. Hess], Lillian [Aleah Headen]; standing (l-r): Bob [Rilo Diaz], Ernestine [Sydney Davis], Mother [Leighton Mount], Dad [Nic Stratton], Anne [Mattie Mount], Jane [Gracelynn Wall], Mary [Eli Corvi]
