'Cinderella' opens Thursday at The Sauk
“It is a classic story with a few exciting new twists and turns.”
That is how Trinity Bird, director of The Sauk’s production of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” describes this new take on the story.
“It is the musical everyone grew up watching on TV, with a new script and a few new songs,” Bird said. “This version was written specifically for the stage.”
The Sauk, Hillsdale County’s community theater, will present the show for eight performances beginning Aug. 11 and continuing through Aug. 21. As of press time, both Sunday matinees were sold out. Tickets remain for the other performances.
This contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers & Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It's Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” alongside an up-to-date, hilarious and romantic libretto by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane.
Sauk regular Gianna Green portrays the title character.
“Ella is such a wonderful character,” Green said. “In theater, you pour out so much of yourself on stage and give so much of yourself to your character. While this is true for Cinderella, I have received so much from Ella’s character in return. Her kindness, gentleness, and her ability to love and to keep dreaming, even in the face of adversity, are traits I’ll carry with me long after the curtain closes.”
The Sauk cast also includes Josh Lightner as Prince Topher, Bruce Crews as Sebastian, Brietta Wilson as Marie, Lisa Monk as Madame, Meghan Barnes as Charlotte, Emily Monk as Gabrielle, Jacob Isiminger as Jean-Michel and Travis Blatchley as Lord Pinkleton. The ensemble will feature Emmy Ambrose, Grace Balkan, Morgan Francis, Anna Gray, Ellie Gray, Jacob Gray, Elizabeth Guest, Kenny Hong, Mandee Howard, Lilly Macie, Charles Reamsnyder, Ty Rupert, Ford Swihart, Brandi Tippner and Tyler Wilson.
The Sauk production is directed by Bird with musical direction by Kristi Gautsche, the team behind most of The Sauk’s musicals since 1998. Joella Hendrickson is stage manager and Sarah Kilgore is choreographer. The design team consists of Bird (set), Meaghan Bryant (costumes), Angela Forant (lighting), Tim Ambrose (sound) and Cyndi Baldermann (properties). Gay Shaw is vocal coach. Ron Boyle and Diane Langan are building the set with painting by Jeff Gray, Sarah Gray, Mari Nuñez and Hendrickson.
The orchestra consists of Tom Ryskamp, Dale Hendershot III, Sarah Hashimoto, James Montney, Sandra Pooley, Susan Nawrot, Janet Dunham, Marsha Layman, Kristen Watters, Tim Galloway, Rich Ball, Robert Livingston, Christina Dube and Evagene Wellman.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Aug. 11-13 and Aug. 18-20 and 3 p.m. Aug. 14 and Aug. 21, at Sauk Theatre, 240 E. Chicago in Jonesville. Tickets range in price from $8 to $13. The Aug. 11 performance is a "Pay What You Can" preview. Preview tickets are not sold in advance. The Aug. 18 performance is $5 senior night. Tickets are available at www.thesauk.org or 517-849-9100.
"Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella" is sponsored by The Udder Side. The 2022 Orchestra Sponsor is Moore Insurance Services, Inc. Sandi Miller and State Farm Agent Jason Adcock provided sponsorship for the costumes.
The 2022 season is sponsored by Joyous Journey Photography. The 2022 media sponsor is WCSR Radio Hillsdale and The Dale 99.5 FM.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: 'Cinderella' opens Thursday at The Sauk
