Olney Theatre Center Debuts New Musical "Little Miss Perfect"

The coming-of-age story about a Black high school student in small-town USA features a talented young cast and an upbeat score.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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"Little Miss Perfect" began as a viral TikTok hit song by Joriah Kwamé and has now been developed into a full-length musical with Kwamé serving as the book, music, and lyric writer. The production is making its debut at Olney Theatre Center under the direction of Zhailon Levingston. The story follows Noelle Sanders, a brilliant Black high school student in Smalltown USA, as she navigates the social challenges of trying to fit in while also pursuing her academic dreams of attending Howard University on a scholarship.

Why it matters

The musical's origins as a TikTok hit song point to a potential new model for how stage productions could be developed in the future, drawing from viral online content. Additionally, the story explores themes of identity, belonging, and the experiences of being a minority student in a predominantly white school setting, which resonate with many young people's real-life experiences.

The details

The extraordinary cast is led by Leanne J. Antonio as Noelle, the protagonist, and Madelynn Elizabeth Ayen in her professional debut as the foreign exchange student Malaya Cruz. The supporting cast includes standout performances from Mia Goodman as the antagonist Gia Douglass and Kara-Tameika Watkins as Noelle's mother Sylvia. Choreographer Chloe O. Davis brings the youthful energy of the characters to life through the musical's dance numbers, while the scenic design by Lawrence E. Moten III seamlessly transitions between the various settings of the story.

  • The musical is making its debut at Olney Theatre Center and will run through March 8, 2026.
  • There will be an Audio-Described performance on March 4 at 7:30 pm and an ASL Interpreted performance on March 5 at 7:30 pm.

The players

Joriah Kwamé

The writer of the book, music, and lyrics for "Little Miss Perfect", which began as a viral hit song on TikTok.

Zhailon Levingston

The director of the Olney Theatre Center production of "Little Miss Perfect".

Leanne J. Antonio

The actress portraying the lead role of Noelle Sanders, the brilliant Black high school student.

Madelynn Elizabeth Ayen

The actress making her professional debut in the role of Malaya Cruz, the foreign exchange student.

Mia Goodman

The actress playing the antagonist role of Gia Douglass, the nasty and rich student government president.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The musical will continue its run at Olney Theatre Center through March 8, 2026, with additional accessibility performances scheduled.

The takeaway

"Little Miss Perfect" showcases the potential for stage productions to emerge from viral online content, while also telling a timely story about the experiences of minority students navigating the social and academic challenges of high school. The talented young cast and upbeat musical score have received a warm reception from audiences, pointing to the musical's promising future.