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Centuries after it was likely first told, the story of “Cinderella” remains a familiar one to many.
Over the years there have been numerous retellings of the tale of a young underappreciated woman who eventually finds the love of a prince, the most famous of which now are likely the 1950 animated Disney film version and the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical.
It’s the latter of those two that the River City Community Players will present starting at 8 p.m. Friday at the Leavenworth Performing Arts Center, 500 Delaware St.
Directed by Kaci Forsythe, with choreography by Forsythe and Guy Gardner and musical direction by Josh Shockey, the show features many of the now-familiar scenes and details of the story, from the fairy godmother who grants Cinderella’s wishes to attend the prince’s ball to the glass slipper she leaves behind to the stepsisters and stepmother who treat her more like a servant than a family member.
Over the last six weeks or more of rehearsals, Forsythe said those details have solidified.
“That’s been a wonderful experience, to see how everything has grown by putting those different pieces together,” she said.
Forsythe said when she first found out that the RCCP would be producing “Cinderella” this year, she jumped at the chance to direct and bring a new life to the story.
“Every little girl has their favorite Disney princess and mine was always Cinderella,” she said.
Suzie Stephensen, who will play Cinderella, said she also had a fan at home.
“I have a 3-year-old daughter and she loves ‘Cinderella,’ so it’s kind of a dream come true for all of us,” she said. “It’ll be really fun for her to watch it.”
Stephensen said she went back and has listened to those who have played Cinderella in the musical from the past to the present. A classically trained opera singer, Stephensen said she was challenged by Shockey to try to make her singing more akin to Broadway instead of the Met.
“It was a lot of fun, it was kind of like letting go of all the rules,” she said.
Also helping her fall into the role is the fact that she will again be starring alongside her costar in the RCCP’s production of “Annie” last year, Brandon Johannes, who will play the prince in “Cinderella.” He said not only have the two acted together before, they are also friends off-stage.
Centuries after it was likely first told, the story of “Cinderella” remains a familiar one to many.
Over the years there have been numerous retellings of the tale of a young underappreciated woman who eventually finds the love of a prince, the most famous of which now are likely the 1950 animated Disney film version and the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical.
It’s the latter of those two that the River City Community Players will present starting at 8 p.m. Friday at the Leavenworth Performing Arts Center, 500 Delaware St.
Directed by Kaci Forsythe, with choreography by Forsythe and Guy Gardner and musical direction by Josh Shockey, the show features many of the now-familiar scenes and details of the story, from the fairy godmother who grants Cinderella’s wishes to attend the prince’s ball to the glass slipper she leaves behind to the stepsisters and stepmother who treat her more like a servant than a family member.
Over the last six weeks or more of rehearsals, Forsythe said those details have solidified.
“That’s been a wonderful experience, to see how everything has grown by putting those different pieces together,” she said.
Forsythe said when she first found out that the RCCP would be producing “Cinderella” this year, she jumped at the chance to direct and bring a new life to the story.
“Every little girl has their favorite Disney princess and mine was always Cinderella,” she said.
Suzie Stephensen, who will play Cinderella, said she also had a fan at home.
“I have a 3-year-old daughter and she loves ‘Cinderella,’ so it’s kind of a dream come true for all of us,” she said. “It’ll be really fun for her to watch it.”
Stephensen said she went back and has listened to those who have played Cinderella in the musical from the past to the present. A classically trained opera singer, Stephensen said she was challenged by Shockey to try to make her singing more akin to Broadway instead of the Met.
“It was a lot of fun, it was kind of like letting go of all the rules,” she said.
Also helping her fall into the role is the fact that she will again be starring alongside her costar in the RCCP’s production of “Annie” last year, Brandon Johannes, who will play the prince in “Cinderella.” He said not only have the two acted together before, they are also friends off-stage.
“We’ve actually been really good friends for a long time — that helped,” break some of the ice for the onstage relationship, he said.
However, he said he has had to work to fill the role of the prince.
“I’ve had kind of leads before, but this is by far my first, I guess you would call it a romantic lead,” Johannes said. “It’s the first time I’ve done anything like that and it’s a great opportunity.”
It’s also a first of sorts for Forsythe — though she said she has directed shows for the RCCP before and helmed youth musicals, this will be her first musical that includes adult actors. But she said so far the entire cast — young and old — has been a highlight for her.
“Everyone has put so much effort into the show and gone way above and beyond anything that I ever expected,” she said. “They genuinely have found their characters.”
The River City Community Players’ production of “Cinderella” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as on Aug. 12, 13, 19 and 20; and 2 p.m. Aug. 14. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and groups and $5 for children. For more information or to make a reservation, call 913-682-7557 or visit www.rccplv.com.
