Lake Dillon Theatre Company
|
Lake Dillon Theatre Company
|
|
|
Cinderella the Musical Shines
But in the musical "Cinderella," written by Phyllis Ward Fox and David Coleman, the White Rabbit learns responsibility - courtesy of Cinderella's fairy godmother, Gladys - and frets at Cinderella's hardships.
At one point, as the White Rabbit sings tenderly to a sobbing Cinderella, director Lennie Singer always gets a little emotional. "When no one else believes, believe in yourself," Schwartz sings as Singer blinks quickly and purses her lips. "I always feel like crying at this part," Singer said. The children's emotions flow as easily as Singer's. They cry, scream, sing and strut. Singer approved an improvised swagger by stepsister McDonald. "I didn't tell her to do that," Singer said. Children's ease with improvisation motivated Singer to begin working with that age group nearly 30 years ago. She worked with elementary theater in Southern California, writing her own productions for local charities. "I really enjoy working with children," Singer said. "Kids don't have a lot of inhibitions. They're willing to get on stage and be very creative." Four years ago, Singer founded the Lake Dillon Theatre Company's Young People's Theatre Workshop, a two-week course that prepares children for the end-of-summer performance. Last year's show was the "Wizard of Oz". Past performances included about 40 performers, but this year's has 59. Singer turned away another 30 who auditioned.
Singer is joined by musical director Diane Moscatello-Stallings and choreographer Melanie Clauer. Bettyjo Knapp and Kent Gross did the set design. Parents supplied the costumes. "I'm so lucky I get to work with these people," Singer said. "They are professionals in their own right, and the parents turned out professional-level costumes." Other performers include David Blake as the Prince; Jamar Burke, the Fairy Godmother; Warren Bishop, the Rat; Tim Jungman, the Pumpkin; Mike Jungman, the King/Ghost; and Shankari Simpson, the Queen.
"Cinderella" performances are at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday with an 11 a.m. matinee Saturday at the Lake Dillon Amphitheatre. Performances are free. For information, call 513-9386. |
|
Send e-mail to writerlen@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
|
August 7,1997--SUMMIT COUNTY--A group of non-professional child
actors star in the local musical "Cinderella," but the talent is comparable to
another Disney classic playing at the Temple Buell Theater in downtown Denver. The
children are focused and sure of themselves, and even the smallest rattle off their lines
with poise. 
The premise -
the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland finds himself in the wrong fairy tale - sounds
shaky. Wasn't the White Rabbit a minor character whose memorable lines, "I'm late!
I'm Late!" reflect his flakiness? Wasn't he unnecessarily cool toward that tale's
heroine, Alice, refusing to tell her how to get home or to provide helpful hints toward
existing in his strange world?
The
children get into their roles enthusiastically: as the wicked stepmother, Keri Hanfland is
heartless; stepsisters Nita Hodson and Brianna McDonald are whiny; Amanda Cooper as
Cinderella is sweet; Anna Schwartz as the White Rabbit worries about "Cindy's"
future. 
"These
kids are just phenomenal," Singer said. "This is the most responsible group I've
had. They show up on time, they know their lines, they are very dedicated. Many have taken
the workshop for four summers now, so they've learned quite a bit." 