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Cinderella

Music by Richard Rogers. Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Directed by Peter Hughes. Music directed by Kathleen Davis and Mary Gottlieb.

It's All About The Shoes!

Evergreen Players' production of this classic musical features a handsome Prince Charming, an overworked gal looking for love and those ugly step sisters everyone loves to hate, as well as your favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein songs. The Players' version stages it in a setting that puts a whole new spin on "Trailer Court." You won't want to miss this one!

Historical Notes

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella premiered on CBS on March 31, 1957, the fourteenth anniversary of the team's arrival on Broadway with Oklahoma! The live telecast starred the new Broadway sensation, Julie Andrews, and pulled in an astounding audience of over 107,000,000 viewers. In 1965 the musical was remade for television, this time starring Lesley Ann Warren. It was this version that my generation grew up watching in annual telecasts through 1974. In 1997, Cinderella returned as a dazzling television spectacular on "The Wonderful World of Disney." Forty years after its premiere, the musical had lost none of its magical powers to enchant.

The theater was Rodgers and Hammerstein's home turf and it is not surprising that they approached Cinderella as if writing a Broadway show. So in terms of source material, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a rare charmer - a musical written for the (small) screen that has enough genuine theatricality for a (big) stage. And its score ranks with the very best in the R&H canon: the soaring romance of "Ten Minutes Ago," one of Rodgers' finest waltzes; the haughty and hilarious "Stepsisters' Lament" (based on Rodgers' Tchaikovsky-like "Cinderella March"); the wistful optimism of "In My Own Little Corner"; the sumptuous duet for youthful hearts, "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"; the slyly ironic "When You're Driving Through the Moonlight." Ten songs in all, each one a gem.

Cinderella first appeared in print in China during the ninth century and has since made herself equally at home in literature, ballet, opera, art, movies, and television; for a girl over 1,300 years old, she certainly doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Now, in a new century with new generations to enthrall, she may once again be found in her own little corner, in her own little chair, in the kind of home Rodgers and Hammerstein clearly loved best - a live theater.

Director's Notes

The challenge of telling a story to an audience who knows exactly what is going to happen lies in how you tell that story. The Evergreen Players and Director Peter Hughes break from tradition and set this production smack dab in the middle of a trailer park. A combination of classic charm with a twist of modern society, promises to be an experience not soon forgotten - Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic Cinderella like you've never seen her before. It's the familiar timeless tale of the orphaned girl who is forced to live with her not so pleasant stepmother and stepsisters. And how, one night a Fairy Godmother, a ticket to the ball and a Prince changed her life. Only this cinderchick and her stepfamily live in a trailer park and her Fairy Godmother looks more like a bag lady. The King and Queen are the country's most famous self-help gurus and the golden carriage is pulled by a couple of lawn gnomes and a team of pink flamingos. Come experience the Cinderella your parents were afraid to tell you about. It's all the charm and sentiment with a healthy dose of blue eye shadow and a case of Aquanet.

- Peter Hughes

Cast

Davis Bennett Herald

A native of Ottawa, Kan., Davis has made his home in Colorado for 13 years. He lives and works in downtown Denver but has appeared numerous times at Center/Stage. His favorite roles include: Owen in The Foreigner, Homer in Mornings at Seven, and Eddie in Lost in Yonkers.

Kathleen Davis Music Director

Kathleen is a writer and musician who has lived in Evergreen for 37 years. She and her husband John have done every job known to theatre, and her years acting and directing were rewarded with the Distinguished Merit Medal of the Colorado Community Theatre Coalition. Each Players production is an amazing lesson in dedication and creativity by the cast and crew family.

Becca Dellinger Fairy Godmother

Rebecca has a B.A. in Music and Theatre. She has been seen on stage locally and regionally, as well as in Europe. Favorite roles include: The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Ginger in 1940's Radio Hour, and Maisie in the Evergreen Players' production of The Boy Friend.

James Denton Ensemble

This is Jim's first performance with Evergreen Players. He is taking part in the internship program to see what it is like under the lights instead of behind them. He hopes that you enjoy the show as much as he enjoyed being a part of the cast.

Louis DuPuis Chef

Louis is appearing in his first role with Evergreen Players. The part is appropriate as he spent 25 years in the food industry. Some of his favorite roles are Luther Billis in South Pacific, the valet in No Exit and Jules in My Three Angels. This show is dedicated to his family.

Melissa Marilyn Fowler Joy

Melissa has been an actress, singer and dancer since 1989, appearing locally and nationally in television, film and theatre. She was last seen as Hortense in the Players' production of The Boy Friend. She holds degrees in Musical Theatre from Ricks College and English/Secondary Education from UNC. She teaches Theatre and English at Arvada High School.

Mary Gottlieb Music Director

Mary has been the musical director for productions at Town Hall Arts Center, Aurora Fox, Littleton Main Street Players, Morrison Theatre and the Horse Barr Dinner Theatre in Laramie, WY. She is currently the music director for Kids Play, the new children's theatre series produced by Country Dinner Playhouse. Mary teaches at Lois Lenski Elementary and is the Music Director for the Academy of Theatre Arts in Englewood.

Jan Hart Costume Design

Working with the Evergreen Players for five years, Jan has been involved in almost every area of community theatre. Although costuming is her favorite, she has acted on stage, choreographed, directed, stage managed and produced shows for the Players. "Thank you Gary for allowing me to follow my passion for the theatre."

Susan Hickey Godmother

In 1957, Susy watched the original television production of Cinderella and dreamt of being Cinderella and Julie Andrews. Being the show's Bag Lady was impossible since that term had not yet been invented. Susy is now the president of Laughter Allowed and helps organizations turn their impossibilities into possibilities.

Peter Hughes Director

Peter has worked at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles Music Center Opera and Summer Repertory Theatre. Directing credits include The Secret Garden, Working, The Lion In Winter, Haiku, Steel Magnolias, All In The Timing, La Cage aux folles, I Hate Hamlet, Judevine, The Boy Friend, Lend Me A Tenor and The Trip To Bountiful.

Janelle Kato Cinderella

Seen last summer as Polly in Evergreen Players' The Boy Friend, other roles include Emma in Jekyll and Hyde, Liz in High Society, Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Susan in Woman in Mind. Janelle holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University. Thanks to family and friends, especially Gene.

Bob Leggett The King

Bob first appeared on stage when he was 11 years old and has never stopped. He is active in television and film work in Denver, and is represented by Donna Baldwin Talent. Special thanks to Peter, Jane and the entire cast.

Karen Lemmer Stepsister Band

Karen is making her Colorado stage debut. Previous acting roles were in Illinois. She's spent the past four years backstage, stage managing six productions, assistant stage manager on three shows and on stage crew for Littleton's Main Street Players. To support her theatre habit she works for The Hartford SRS Claims Department.

Adam Marcantoni Ensemble

Anthony Dominic Albert Marcantoni aka ADAM, a sixth grader at King-Murphy, experienced his first theatrical role as Arty in the Evergreen Players' production of Lost in Yonkers. Adam would like to express his love and appreciation for everyone he has worked with on these plays.

Shannon McCarthy The Prince

Hello again Evergreen! Shannon says it's great to be back for his fourth show. Doing shows gives him a very nice break from life in Denver where he manages the American Greetings store in the Cherry Creek Mall. "I enjoy life to the fullest; thank you for enjoying it with me. I love you Pa."

Zach Morgan Steward

Zach is a junior at Platte Canyon High School and Cinderella is his first out-of-school production. "This production has been a great experience for me: learning a lot and making some great friends."

Casey O'Donnell Ensemble

This is Casey's first performance with the Evergreen Players. He is a junior at Evergreen High School, and he has been involved in acting since first grade. He was in Evergreen Children's Chorale and recently played Cornelius Hackle in Evergreen High School's Hello Dolly. He hopes to continue acting in the future.

Karla Puskas Ensemble

Karla is earning her A.A. in Musical Theatre from Red Rocks Community College this fall. In the spring, she is joining CU Boulder's Dance Program to pursue a Master's in Dance and Choreography. Besides performing, Karla loves to work in her garden. She is thrilled to be working with the Evergreen Players.

Katherine Quinby Lighting Design

Katherine is pleased to have the opportunity to play again with the Evergreen Players this summer. A reformed attorney, she is completing a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Theater Design and Technology at CU Boulder. Recent lighting designs include The Cripple of Inishmaan and Trestle at Pope Lick Creek.

Dylan Shively Ensemble

This is Dylan's first production with the Evergreen Players and his first time on stage. As a fifth grader at Wilmot Elementary his favorite activity is football ... so watch out Adam, he may tackle you at any moment!

Jane Stanfield Stepsister Band

Jane returns to Evergreen Players after a busy winter with performances of Lend Me a Tenor and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Mainstreet Players and Virtual Love in Longmont. Her biggest joy recently has been dancing and leading enthusiastic dance rehearsals with the exuberant cast. You guys inspire me!

Kimberlee Jo Stiles Stepmother

This is Kim's fifth production with the Evergreen Players. Kim has two degrees in Theatre and spent six years in New York performing in numerous plays, as well as appearing on One Life to Live and Guiding Light. Kim is thrilled to be doing this show with her son Dylan.

Linda Suttle The Queen

This is Linda's first appearance with the Evergreen Players. She has performed with the Town Hall Arts Center, Country Dinner Playhouse, The Aurora Fox and The Nomad. Favorite roles include The Reverend Mother in the award winning Nunsense, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man, Eleanor in The Lion In Winter and Jean in Funny Money.

Kathy Thompson Portia

This is Kathy's second production with the Evergreen Players having served as the Assistant to the Director in 2002's production of The Boy Friend. Kathy was last seen as Sister Mary Hubert in the Littleton Main Street Players' award winning production of Nunsense. "This is what having a good time is all about."

Ethan Vimont Ensemble

Ethan is 16 years old and is participating in the Intern Program here at the Evergreen Players, meaning "I am getting free acting lessons while getting the experience of being in the play." Ethan has been in school plays and musicals including The Wizard of Oz and Pirates of Penzance.

Kaylin Wood Stepsister Band

This is Kaylin's first appearance with the Players, but as a member of the Evergreen Chorale and the Mountain Light Unity Church, she practically lives at Center/Stage. When she's not performing, she works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and dutifully caters to the whims of her cats.

Donna Worley Ensemble

Donna is thrilled to be a part of another Peter production. She thanks her husband PK. and her dear Lord for the second chance at life!

P.K. Worley Orchestration

P K has directed more shows than he can remember. It has been such a pleasure working with Kathleen Davis arranging and performing the wonderfully quirky accompaniment. P K is currently president of the Evergreen Arts Council.

Production Crew

Images from Cinderella

Photography by Ellen Nelson and other volunteers.

The Herald (Davis Bennett) and townspeople; "The Prince is giving a ball!"

Sisters Portia (Kathy Thompson) and Joy (Melissa Fowler) are lectured by Stepmother (Kimberlee Jo Stiles), watched by the Stepsister Band (Kaylin Wood, Jane Stanfield and Karen Lemmer); "When you want to marry a man, you cannot rely on beauty alone"

The King and Queen (Bob Leggett and Linda Suttle) attend to the catering issues raised by the imminent Ball; "A list of the bare necessities for seventeen hundred guests!"

Cinderella (Janelle Kato) and her Fairy Godmother (Becca Dellinger); "Imposssible for a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage!"

Joy (Melissa Fowler) shows the Prince (Shannon McCarthy) what she's made of at the Ball

Portia (Kathy Thompson) and Joy (Melissa Fowler); "Why can't a fellow ever once prefer a solid girl like me?"

The Prince (Shannon McCarthy) and the Herald (Davis Bennett) searching for the foot that fits the slipper

Cast of 'Cinderella'

Understudy Pumpkin Hughes waits in the wings for his big moment

Assistant Director Fowler expresses a difference of opinion during rehearsals with Director Hughes

P K Worley relaxes after some heavy orchestration

Cinderella (Janelle Kato) is taken to the ball by her Fairy Godmother (Becca Dellinger) in the carriage, driven by the pumpkin (Donna Worley) and mice (Dylan Shively and Adam Marcantoni)

Cinderella (Janelle Kato) and the Prince (Shannon McCarthy); "Have you a strange feeling that something has just happened to you and you don't know what it is?"