Children show enchants with moral

Jesse O. Walls | Executive Editor of New Media
Cinderella, played by Becca Ross, sophmore psychology major, and Prince Charming, played by Eric Jackson, share a dance at the Prince’s ball.

Jesse O. Walls
Executive Editor of New Media

Crowder Theatre brings to life a comical retelling of a Charles Perrault fairy-tale in Cinderella! Cinderella! directed by NaTasha O’Brien, director of theatre. The show, which is part of An Evening of Enchantment, includes pre-show entertainment and a marvelous cast of actors to bring humor and enchantment to a valuable moral for both young and old.

Becca Ross, sophomore psychology major, plays the title role of Cinderella, an ordinary girl with low self-esteem, who slaves for her vain and selfish step-sisters, Prunella and Crudella, played by Jolene Jenkins, sophomore theatre major, and Katie Real. Ross’s expressive features and actions pulls the audience into her struggle as she yearns to believe in herself,  but is afraid because of the doubt planted into her by her wicked step-sisters, who care only for themselves.

Jenkins and Real embody the step-sisters in their performance, over exaggerating vanity and showing that beauty is only skin deep. Their contrast to Cinderella emphasizes that all that glitters is not gold and real beauty is found from within.

Eric Jackson gives an enthusiastic performance as the unconventional Prince Charming, who longs to have a real friend and values kindness over beauty.

Jesse O. Walls | Executive Editor of New Media
Prunella, played by Jolene Jenkins, sophomore theatre major, admires herself in her mirror in the Crowder Theatre presentation of Cinderella! Cinderella!

The interactions between the actors and the audience are sure to please younger viewers, and the Herald, played by Zaq Ezell, sophomore theatre major, and Tom, Cinderella’s feline friend, played by Tyler Dallis, sophomore theatre and art and design major, add comedy to almost every scene they are in.

Overall the show resonates with lessons to be learned, from the riches of kindness to the importance of believing in oneself. The costuming also adds to the appeal, bespeaking of a time when fairy tales were prominent and happily ever after was written in the stars.

The show is aimed toward children, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on July 17 and 18, and a performance at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on July 19. Admission is $2 for children, $4 for senior citizens and Crowder staff and students, and $5 for general admission.