One of the world’s most-loved romantic stories, “Cinderella,” by Rodgers and Hammerstein, will be performed by the Munster High School Theatre Company as its spring musical.
“This fairy tale musical has great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity,” said MHS auditorium director Larry Brechner. “Cinderella was one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s last collaborations together prior to Oscar Hammerstein’s death, and their first written directly for the new medium of television.”
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This year’s spring musical involves approximately 130 MHS students either onstage, behind the scenes, or playing in the orchestra.
As student director for this production, MHS sophomore Ally Shinkan is finding that the view from the other side of the fence can be a little intimidating.
“Getting the students to listen to the notes you are delivering is the most challenging,” she said. “That’s because there is a large number of students on stage and sometimes they get distracted really easily.”
The appointment of student director was a little unusual in her case, she added, since her assistant director is a grade level above her. “It’s rare for a lowerclassman to get the job I did over an upperclassman.”
The actors in the musical are from all grade levels, and those that are getting ready to graduate this year are looking forward to their last high school play for a variety of reasons.
According to senior Anna Bilse, who will appear as lead character Cinderella, it’s an incredibly exciting time, since she always envisioned herself in this lead role. “I have told my parents that I would perform as Cinderella on stage somewhere or somehow,” she said. ” Well, that dream has come true.”
Castmate Trey DeLuna, also a senior, who will play opposite her role as Prince Christopher, looks to this performance as another feather in his cap as he pursues a career in theater.
He recently was accepted by New York University — Tisch School of Drama. “Experience is the best thing you can get,” he said. “Regardless of whether you make a show, are cast as a chorus member, or a principle role, you can learn many valuable things just by auditioning and participating in shows.”
The popular love story begins with the announcement by the palace Herald that a Ball is being given for the Prince by the King and Queen.
Elsewhere in the kingdom, Cinderella works like a virtual slave for her stepmother and two stepsisters Joy and Portia.
Excluded by her stepmother and sisters from attending the Ball, a surprise visit from her Godmother, who is carried away by Cinderella’s wish to attend the ball, makes it happen. Upon meeting Cinderella, the Prince finally has found his love just as the clock strikes midnight. After a hopeless search, the Prince finds his lost love, Cinderella, in a true fairy tale musical theater finale.
The play was originally presented by CBS television on March 31, 1957. The live broadcast was the most widely-viewed program in the history of the medium at that time. Cinderella was adapted for the stage in the 1970s, but never made it to Broadway, becoming a staple of professional touring, amateur, and school productions. However, with an updated book and lyrics by Douglas Carter Beane and new musical arrangements, Cinderella finally came to Broadway in 2013 for a two-year run, and currently is on a National Tour.
Working with this spring musical will be bittersweet for Bill Woods, MHS choral and MTC music director, and drama instructor Larry Brechner. This is their last collaborating production at Munster High School.
Woods is taking a choral directing position at Crown Point High School next year, and Brechner is retiring after 18 years as Munster Auditorium and Theatre Company director.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
IF YOU GO:
“Cinderella”
May 5, May 6, May 7 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 8 at 2 p.m.
Munster High School Auditorium
8808 Columbia Ave., Munster
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Tickets: $5 Available at the Auditorium Box Office on performance nights.
More information: munaud.org or facebook.com/MunsterAuditorium