The River Raisin Centre for the Arts (RRCA) will close its 2014-15 season on a “happily ever after” note with four performances of Cinderella featuring the River Raisin Ballet Company (RRB). This timeless fairytale made a return to the big screen this year and will now make its third appearance on the RRCA stage.
The RRB’s Cinderella features the hauntingly beautiful score composed by Sergei Prokofiev in the early 1940’s, which is complemented by original choreography by RRB directors Gail Choate-Pettit and Melissa Moore. Though there are over 1500 versions of Cinderella’s story, the ballet follows the plot of the most well-known version with some extra flourishes; some of which are unique to the ballet and some of which were added in by Choate-Pettit and Moore. In addition to the quintessential Fairy Godmother, jealous step-sisters, magic Pumpkin, and romantic ballroom scene, the ballet also includes a luscious garden scene and enchanting travel scene brought to life by fairies, bugs, clock elves, and; Spanish, Moroccan, and Arabian dancers who prepare Cinderella for and wish her away to the ball.
RRB’s Cinderella showcases the talents of 88 dancers from Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio who auditioned for the show at the end of December. The leads of Cinderella and the Prince will be danced by three pre-professional dancers from the River Raisin Dance Academy and one guest artist: Anthonette Fedewa, Abigail Fleszar, Gabriel Hileman, and Daniel Davenport. In the ballet, the two jealous step-sisters are traditionally played by male dancers. They will be comically portrayed by Josh Mohler and Daniel H. Zook, who will be joined by Kim Malone to play the stern step-mother.
There will be four performances of Cinderella on Friday, April 24th at 7:00 pm, Saturday April 25th at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and Sunday, April 26th at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $12 for students and children. They are now on sale by calling (734)-242-7722, stopping by the theatre box office at 114 South Monroe Street or visiting our website at www.riverraisincentre.org.
