Here's why 'Ted Lasso' fans will enjoy Kentucky Opera's production of 'Cinderella'

Kindness, compassion, and humor are at the heart of the Kentucky Opera's "Cinderella" and if that sounds a bit like Apple TV's hugely popular "Ted Lasso," you aren't wrong.

"Yes, 'Cinderella' is a love story but in this production she also exemplifies kindness, she's just trying to be kind," said Brenna Corner, stage director of Kentucky Opera's production of "Cinderella." "We live in a world right now where kindness is something we need more of and why I feel shows like 'Ted Lasso' do so well."

The Kentucky Opera's enduring rags-to-riches tale of "Cinderella" comes to life in Rossini's "La Cenerentola," on Feb 24 and 26 at the Brown Theatre, 315 W Broadway.

We spoke with the opera's stage director and discovered some fun facts to know before you go.

'Cinderella' has been around much longer than Disney's 1950 animated movie

The first known story featuring a Cinderella-like figure dates to Greece in the sixth century BC. In the ninth century, the Chinese told their own version of Cinderella and through the centuries more than 500 versions, from Egypt to the Middle East and Europe emerged Although each varies from the modern-day Cinderella tale, at the center of most Cinderella stories is a persecuted heroine who rises above her social station through marriage.

In 1817, Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera, "La Cenerentola," (Cinderella) was first performed and is the opera the Kentucky Opera has reimaged for its performance.

Background:Kentucky Opera returns with its longest-ever season and a massive classic. What to know

"My job is to figure out the human condition and not get distracted by the parts that were written for a different time," Corner said. "I try to see things through a different lens. Kind of like going in for an eye exam and looking through a different lens at the same letters."

Making a classic comic opera funny for modern audiences

As an international opera and theater stage director who works across the United States, Canada and Europe, Corner enjoys directing operas centered around interesting female characters.

"We kept the comedy and the Looney Tunes-esc quality of the opera but also worked hard to make sure the audience can follow the story very clearly," she told the Courier Journal.

Corner's unique take on Rossini's comedic opera tells Cinderella's story through the character of Alidoro, the Prince's tutor.

"He wants the young man who is going to be the king to find a woman who is kind, engaged, and intelligent," Corner said. "It is Alidoro's memoirs the audience is seeing on stage as he sets the story straight."

A final note on the Kentucky Opera's "Cinderella," this happily ever after story, which is sung in Italian, may be fraught with chaos and hijinks but is also performed with English supertitles so the audience won't miss out on the fun.

Reach features Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

'Cinderella' ('La Cenerentola')

WHAT: In this variation of the fairy tale, the wicked stepmother is replaced by a stepfather, Don Magnifico. The Fairy Godmother is replaced by Alidoro, a philosopher and tutor to the Prince. Cinderella is identified not by a glass slipper but by her bracelet. Premiered: 1817, Rome, Italy – Teatro Valle. Last performed by Kentucky Opera in 2005.

CREDITS: Composer: Gioachino Rossini, Libretto by: Jacopo Ferretti

WHEN: Feb. 24, 26

WHERE:  Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway

How to get tickets to the Kentucky Opera

Subscriptions for Kentucky Opera’s current season are available now at kyopera.org or by calling 502-584-4500. Single tickets for individual performances will go on sale later in the year.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: The Kentucky Opera's 'Cinderella' may remind you of 'Ted Lasso'