Cinderella—Bringing a Well-Loved Fairy Tale to Ridgway
Starting out life as a made-for-television musical in 1957, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella took more than 50 years to make it to Broadway. The story, adapted by Douglas Carter Beane for its 2013 Broadway debut, is a witty take (with political overtones) on the traditional love story. The production received nine Tony Award nominations.
This is the first time the Upper School has produced the updated Cinderella—and the first time that orchestra and choral rehearsals are taking place in the School’s newly renovated Performing Arts Center! Freshmen through seniors got involved, with a cast of more than 25 students, a production crew of more than 30 students and adults, and a 20+ member pit orchestra. Given the musical’s period setting (pre-revolutionary France), the costume room has been a hive of activity, and the dancers learned a traditional French gavotte. Meanwhile, the set crew has been at its creative best in designing the pumpkin carriage, complete with four prancing horses!
There will be three performances of Cinderella (tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday) at 8 p.m. in Ridgway Auditorium for Principia families and friends. (If you don’t have tickets yet, reserve your seats now!) In addition, as part of the School’s outreach to the community, there will be a special Friday matinee for local elementary and middle school students.