Show Dates: May 1st, 2006

Synopsis:

In a far away land, a regal queen sings of her "royal-highnessty" from the dynasty of Richard Coeur de Leon; and how, like a bold eagle, she looks down on the lowly plebeians. Her husband, the king, who himself is quite hard of hearing and approaching senility, defers to his most capable spouse in all matters, including how to handle their son. The young prince suffers from a strange malady that has caused him to lse his voice, which can only be restored by the sound of the voice of his true love. The king's herald is henceforth, dispatched into the country side to announce a royal ball.

On his journey, the herald discovers a farmhouse, in which lives a proud old widow and her pair of repulsive daughters. Unwanted and forgotten is the poor innocent stepchild Cinderella, who is left alone to do all the work and to cry and cry. In true fairy tale fashion, Cinderella's fairy godmother appears and suggests that maybe she will get to kiss the prince.

Cinderella busily readies her stepmother and stepsisters for the ball. Upon their departure, the fairy godmother returns, transforms Cinderella, and tells of the infamous midnight warning.

At the ball the queen tries in vain to convince the prince that his condition is simply laryngitis. The members of the stepfamily use their unique charms to persuade the prince to speak to no avail. Finally, Cinderella arrives and meets the prince who immediately finds his voice and proposes marriage. They pledge their love while the stepsisters curse, the king congratulates, and the queen jubilates The herald announces the dance, and the festivities go on until midnight approaches. After a tender and unexpected goodbye the chime sounds and Cinderella flees, leaving behind only a single glass slipper.

For months the prince wanders seeking Cinderella. In his travels he consults with three wise hermits, each of which offers incomprehensible advice. Finally, at the urging of the fairy godmother, the prince asks his father the king, to send the herald across the countryside in search of the woman whose foot will fit the discarded glass slipper.

Upon re-visiting the old farmhouse, the herald discovers Cinderella, who successfully tries on the glass slipper. The step-family finds the situation to be hopeless and miserable, but Cinderella brings them along, as they return to court.

As the Prince and Cinderella are re-united, the hermits each take a member of the step-family in marriage, which prompts the king to pronounce a national holiday. The Herald feels left out until the Fairy Godmother appears and declares him to be her honey lamb.

...and they all lived happily ever after!

Cast:

Narrators - Caitlin McCown and Emily Meagher
3 Ladies - Natalie Berndsen, Katie Knisely, and Lauren Schwartz
King - Jesse Koza
Queen - Mary Sheridan
Prince - Jennifer Hart
Herald - Michael Goldsberry
Stepmother - Julie Rogers
1st Stepsister - Erin Donovan
2nd Stepsister - Kristen Cox
Cinderella - Elaine Martin
Fairy Godmother - Renee Goff
1st Hermit - Matt Coon
2nd Hermit - Marten Carlson
3rd Hermit - Chris Carr

Production Staff:

Director - Belinda Andrews-Smith
Asst./Technical Director - Bart Smith
Accompanist - Kevin N. Wines
Stage Manager - Michael Goldsberry
Administrative Assistant - Allyson Jacobs

Special Thanks:

Lauren Hines and Opera Columbus, Marilyn Stocker and Hildegard of Licking County Players, Allyson Jacobs, Andy Carlson, Pam Hughes, and Sheldon and Marilyn MacLeod for their ongoing generous support of this program