Play aims to enchant
Published 8:54 am Wednesday, February 21, 2018
- Students at Central High School are set to put on a show, performing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” in March. Pictured are, from left, front row, Destiny Walrath, Kayla Foster, Gabrielle Aubel, Kirsten Snead, Jayla Ragsdale, Briana Witherspoon, Dendra Johnson, Khristie Streat, Alexis Elam; middle row, Jay Whitehead, Trinity Elam, Colton Hinkle, Devin Kenny, Brianna Snipes, Itzel Garmendia, Briana Anderson, Brooklynn Blaszkiewicz; back row, Rose Hofler, Chris Hailey, Jacob Wilson, Courtney Brostek, Robert Carwile, Tyler Prosyk, Sara Craig and Inka Winter. Not pictured are Emma Newton, Alexsis Pegram, Jad-shawna Nelson, Matthew Johnson and Nakihya Ragsdale.
Students at Central High School (CHS) will seek to put on a magical show based on a well-known story in March.
Their upcoming play, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” will be performed at the CHS gym on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24, at 7 p.m. The play will also be performed Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m.
Music and Theater Teacher Amanda Ellis said tickets would go on sale at the beginning of March.
Ellis said there are approximately 30 students who make up the play’s cast, crew and stage band.
“Auditions for ‘Cinderella’ took place in December and rehearsals began the first week of January,” Ellis said. “With the heavy amount of snow, we missed several rehearsals, but the students have been working hard to make up for lost time.”
She said the play is faithful to the well-known fairy tale but noted there are some interesting differences, notably a few additional characters.
“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ is the story of Cinderella as everyone knows it, but in this musical there are some different characters that everyone does not know about,” Ellis said, “for example Jean-Micheal, the revolutionary who wants change in the kingdom, and Sebastian, Prince Topher’s royal adviser.”
She highlighted several engaging musical numbers throughout the play.
“There are several fun and exciting musical numbers that will keep the audience entertained,” Ellis said. “There are also the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein ‘Cinderella’ songs, like ‘In My Own Little Corner’ that will be sung by our Cinderella, Jayla Ragsdale, and ‘Impossible,’ that will be performed by our Fairy Godmother, Gabrielle Aubel.”
She said there have been some challenges associated with the musical, including figuring out how to navigate the set design.
“There have been several challenges for this musical, as there is for any musical production,” Ellis said. “For example there are several different scenes that happen in different places, so designing and constructing those elements have been difficult, but we have so much support from the staff and students at CHS that are willing to make this possible, so it’s rewarding to see everyone work together.”
She said the talent of the student cast and crew will make it a show people do not want to miss.
“Please come out and support these wonderfully talented students,” Ellis said.
To learn more, including about ticket prices, call (434) 696-2137 or email Ellis at amanda.herrera@k12lcps.org.
