Community theater presents 'Cinderella'

By Michael Jacobson

A community-theater version of Rodgers and Hammersteins' "Cinderella" was staged last week in the school auditorium. A total audience of 1,100 enjoyed the five productions, including the largest crowd of 375 on Thursday night.

The play - starring Caitlin Lien as Cinderella - follows the familiar fairy tale. The cast and crew worked for six weeks, with rehearsals lasting several hours per night, to stage the musical. Lien, who loves being on stage, said she had heard nothing but good comments from the public about the production. The positive reception was rewarding, she said.

cinderella cart Cinderella's fairy godmother (Lindsey Pelton, center) turns a pumpkin into a carriage for Cinderella (Caitlin Lien) at last weeks play.

The musical was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein especially for television. Television versions of the play starred Julie Andrews as Cinderella (1959), Leslie Ann Warren (1966), and Brandi (1997). Written for television filming, not staging, meant the magic of Cinderella's fairy godmother had to be created on stage, like making a pumpkin turn into a carriage, having flowers sprout from a pot, and starting a fire with her wand, which challenged director Ian Pelton.

shoe fits In the end of the musical, just like the fairy tale, the Prince (Alex Braaten) finds that the glass slipper fits Cinderella (Caitlin Lien), and the couple is wed and lives happily ever after.

Picture page

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/Townperson: Nicolette Gamache

Footmen/Townpersons: Jared Eickhoff and Ezra Thompson

Ponies/Dancers: Avery Davidson and Paige Friedrich

Herald: Jim Beckstrand

Steward: Peder Thompson

Minister/Townperson: Lindsay Hull

Townpersons: 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

Stage Manager: Sandy Elmhorst

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

Set Construction: Lindsay Hull, John Merrill, Sheila Merrill, Ian Pelton, Lindsey Pelton, Peder Thompson, Ezra Thompson, and Kathy Ziegler

Costumes: Colleen Pelton

Seamstresses: Becky Thompson and Brenda Whitcomb

Sound: Harry Halvorson

Contact the author at editor@paynesvillepress.com • Return to News Menu

Home | Marketplace | Community