Playhouse adds new twists and turns with 'Cinderella' production

Published 12/4/97

This is not your mother's "Cinderella."

The Playhouse of Point Park College's latest production, "Cinderella," despite performing a fairy tale that has been passed down for hundreds of years, still finds innovative ways to make the viewing of this classic enjoyable.

The Playhouse's use of the storyline isn't much different from that of previous tales. The old "girl has abusive family," "girl meets fairly godmother," and "girl meets Prince Charming" storyline is still in effect despite some minor differences. One example are the wicked stepdaughters, who in this production look more like stepsons. Both stepdaughters are played by Kenneth Johnson and Ron Hutson (but during performances where the stepdaughters are given a more feminine side, Rebecca Franks and Rebecca Hutton are cast).

As the ballet opens up, Cinderella, played by Sarah Kramer, her stepsisters, stepmother, and father are all present and its simply another day in the life of poor Cinderella. With her stepsisters arguing about who was going to wear the family shawl for the big dance, Cinderella accidentally knocks over a tea kettle, which results in her stepmother chasing Cinderella around the stage with a broom.

After this family bonding is settled, a beggar soon appears and asks for assistance. Only Cinderella offers to help this troubled soul, and then, with the snap of a finger, the beggar becomes her Fairy Godmother, played by Lesley Gillespie. Within the blink of an eye, Cinderella is given a horse, carriage and enough accessories to make Tammy Faye Bakker look like Miss Natural.

These mementos are given to Cinderella in one of the better choreographed scenes of the ballet. A wide variety of dances are featured as the faeries of each season prepare Cinderella for the ball. As the Winter Sprites, Spring Pixies, the Summer Faeries and the Autumn Nymphs come on stage one after another, the audience is shown different styles of dance ranging from modern/contemporary dance movements to pointe.

After the traditional warning of telling Cinderella to return home by midnight, Act II opens at the prince's palace with the ball in full swing. After solo performances by the prince, played by Todd Rhoades, and his jester, played by Byran Molina, Cinderella enters the ballroom, and the prince is taken aback by her beauty.

Sweaty palms soon develop as he tries to ask her to dance.

As they grace the ballroom floor and look into each other's eyes, they fall in love right when the midnight hour strikes. Cinderella tries to get away in one of the best action sequences in the piece while the people at the ball are in hot pursuit.

Once Cinderella escapes, the prince begins his quest to find that mysterious lady, and here is when a unique occurrence takes place. While trying to explain to the local shoemaker, the jester gives up and shouts to the shoemaker. As the music dies down, the audience is subjected to a quick search of the prince's men, trying to find someone with the right size foot.

Finally the last scene presents itself, and after a failed attempt of the stepsister's feet (much to the relief of the prince), the truth is revealed when the other slipper falls out of Cinderella's pocket and out for all to see. Then, the prince and Cinderella leave together to live happily ever after.

The lighting and stage props added a pleasant touch to "Cinderella" at times, especially the use of light to indicate moods and transitions from scene to scene. One of the better uses of sight and sound occurs when time is running out for Cinderella at the ball and the light darkens while the ticks of a clock are echoed throughout the Rockwell Theatre. The chase sequence, along with most of the other choreography, is sharply done thanks to choreographers Kenneth Johnson, Douglas Bentz, Judith Leifer-Bentz and Susan Stowe, all Point Park choreographers. Their works feature the selected choreography from Nicolas Petrov and Rostislav Zakarov, and some original choreography is selected as well.

Costume appearance was also a sight to behold, even for the wicked stepdaughters Johnson and Hutson. With their gaudy colored dresses and gowns, it was hard to spot the hair on their upper lip. One audience member remarked that the two looked like the characters in the movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar."

With everything that has been said positively about this production ("Cinderella" received rave reviews in the Pittsburgh City Paper and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), the only setback was the lengthy intermission between acts. Other than the time delay, "Cinderella" is a class act deserving of greater exposure than the tiny Rockwell Theatre.

"Cinderella" ran from November 21-23, and is currently running from Dec. 4-14. Tickets cost between $10-12, and reservations can be made. For more information call 621-4445.

Caption: The Playhouse's production of "Cinderella" adds some new twists to this old tale. Photo by Point Park Playhouse.

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