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On the heels of the success of "The Sound of Music" last summer, a cast of 25 local thespians will stage Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" at the school auditorium next week. The cast will perform the play five times next week: on Monday, Aug. 16; Tuesday, Aug. 17; Thursday, Aug. 19; Friday, Aug. 20; and Saturday, Aug. 21. Perfor-mances start at 8 p.m. each night.

Cinderella (Caitlin Lien) gets pinched by her stepmother (Amanda Halvorson) during the Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella," which will be staged five times next week at the school auditorium.

The play - presented by the Paynesville Community Theater and by the Creative Arts Consortium - traces the familiar fairy tale story of Cinderella, portrayed by Caitlin Lien in the local production, as she suffers abuse at the hands of her stepmother and stepsister, as she attends the royal ball with the help of her fairy godmother, and as she wins the love of the prince.

The play runs about 90 minutes in two acts with a 15-minute intermission. Several community groups will be serving refreshments during intermission.

Auditions for the play were held in June, and rehearsals began in July. The local production features a rich cast, according to director Ian Pelton, "Things are coming together very well," he said last week.

This play version of "Cinderella" was written originally for television, according to Pelton. Television productions of the Rodgers and Hammerstein version include Julie Andrews as Cinderella (1959), Leslie Ann Warren in the starring role (1966), and, most recently, with Brandi as Cinderella (1997).

"Because it's written for television, it has some interesting problems in staging," said Pelton. "For instance, we have to make a carriange magically appear on stage."

That's the part of the story where Cinderella's fairy godmother turns a pumpkin into a carriage to take her to the royal ball.

The local production also includes rotating sets - created by set designer Molly Zimmerman - and will use extra lighting recently purchased for the auditorium.

The local community theater received a grant last year to produce "The Sound of Music," which attracted 1,600 people during a six-performance run at the auditorium. Profits from that production were used to help stage "Cinderella" .

"This play, while not as well known, has some interesting features," said Pelton. "Anyone looking for cheap entertainment has a whole week to come and see it."

Cinderella pulls out the chairs for her stepsisters (Sami Tierney, middle, and Emily Mehr, left).

Tickets for "Cinderella" are $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets will be available at the door and may be purchased in advance at the Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union, at Community First National Bank, at Farmers and Merchants State Bank, at Joel's Family Foods, and at Paynesville SuperValu. Reserved seating is also available by calling Colleen Pelton at 320-243-7221.

Cinderella
A community-theater version of Rodgers and Hammersteins' "Cinderella" will be staged next week in the school auditorium.

Performances, at 8 p.m. each night, will be given on Monday, Aug. 16; Tuesday, Aug. 17; Thursday, Aug. 19; Friday, Aug. 20, and Saturday, Aug. 21.

Tickets, available in advance and at the door, are $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Reserve seating is available by calling Colleen Pelton at 320-243-7221.

Cast of Characters
Cinderella: Caitlin Lien

Prince: Alex Braaten

Godmother: Lindsey Pelton

Stepmother: Amanda Halvorson

Stepsisters: Emily Mehr and Sami Tierney

King: John Merrill

Queen: Sheila Merrill

Chef: Nicolette Gamache

Footmen: Jared Eickhoff and Ezra Thompson

Ponies: Avery Davidson and Paige Friedrich

Town Crier: Jim Beckstrand

Steward: Peder Thompson

Minister: Lindsay Hull

Chorus & Dancers: Kaitlin Burlingame, Samantha Chevalier, Courtney Colbert, Cahlean Klenke, Adam Leyendecker, Dale Lorenz, Lora Lorenz, Marcia McCarney, and Kathy Ziegler

Director: Ian Pelton

Musical Director: Rebecca Gardner

Accompanists: Mackenzie Merrill and Cindy Zimmerman

Set Designer: Molly Zimmerman, assisted by Rheanne & Ginelle Zimmerman

Stage Manager: Sandy Elmhorst