Originally made for television in 1957, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella embraces the timeless tale of a young girl from the cinders who offers kindness and forgiveness, demonstrates enduring hope and ultimately finds a happy ending. WIth grace, originality and charm, this version of the story is a fairy tale at heart with some unexpected characters and moments that may surprise and delight lovers of the Disney version. The talented upper school cast and crew began rehearsals in the fall and are excited to perform for audiences next week.

We spent some time with cast members to hear more about their experiences behind the scenes, their favorite aspects of this particular show and what they hope audiences learn from this classic story.

Sophomore Henry Albee will take the stage as an actor for the first time. While Henry has been a part of the fine arts community at CCS for years, this is the first time he chose to audition for the musical: “I was on the tech team last year and saw how much fun the cast had together, which made me want to audition this year.”  From learning ballroom dancing to performing in a horse costume, Henry is thrilled for audiences to see all of the hard work the cast has put into the show. The time period in which this story is set is one of Henry’s favorite aspects of the show because the elaborate costumes, their proper dialogue and movements, and the props like the carriage add to the fun and whimsy of this beloved tale. Henry hopes that audiences will also walk away with a reminder of the role that kindness can play in their lives and those around them. “Even when you’re going through hardships, you can choose to be like Cinderella, showing kindness to her stepmother and stepsisters. Kindness can compel others to show kindness and therefore carry forward beyond a single act,” Henry reflected.

Kathryn Taylor, veteran actress and senior, has loved getting to know this cast and developing deeper friendships with students across grade levels. Having participated in musical productions in middle school and upper school, Kathryn shared that there is always a time where a new cast has to learn the dynamics of new team members or a new director, but this year in particular, has been special. “The new cast members have brought so much energy and talent, and I have loved watching them grow,” Kathryn shared. “I also love our director, Mrs. Zacarias. She puts forth time and effort in helping us grow as performers and also helping us see how this story can be viewed from a biblical perspective. I hope that the audience can see the benefits of a team working together diligently to create something beautiful.” 

While putting together a mainstage musical like Cinderella requires teamwork, time and dedication, Kathryn pointed out how much fun they have along the way, explaining with a smile, “We created lore about some of the minor characters to help us imagine why they are a part of the story. For the raccoon and the fox, we imagined that they were possibly cursed by the stepmother years ago and are now there in the story to protect Ella.” Being given the artistic freedom to characterize even the ensemble roles individually and uniquely was one of Kathryn's favorite aspects of this production. Ultimately, the friendships with castmates and the story’s message of forgiveness resonate as the most meaningful parts of this experience for Kathryn, and she hopes that the audience is encouraged by the reminder that God will carry us through hardships and that He promises good for each of us as we trust in Him.

We invite you to enjoy a performance of Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and experience the hope and magic for yourselves. Choose from three performances: Thursday, Feb. 26 and Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Check out the box office for tickets and more information.