Tidings of comfort and joy…and a bowl full of belly laughs
Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis Tells its Cinderella Tale in Hilarious, Unexpected Ways

A fairy godmother to bring your dreams to life, an elegant carriage and coachmen, of course: theatre goers at Minneapolis’ Children’s Theatre Company will find all the classic elements of a fairy tale come true in its new production of “Cinderella,” running through January 2, 2010.  Amid the splendor and opulent sets, CTC has infused a rambunctious, energy-filled performance that highlights the comedic genius of Autumn Ness, Reed Sigmund and Dean Holt, as Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters (affectionately known as the UGLIES).  

Wandering Educators asked the stars of the show, Maeve Moynihan (Cinderella) and Erik Pearson (the debonair Prince Eric) how they seem to manage in a world occupied by evil stepsisters. 

WE:    This production is the classic “Cinderella” tale turned on end.  It is drawn from the English tradition of pantomime, a theatre tradition that includes outlandish physical comedy, outrageous gags, audience participation and men cast as women.  What kind of antics will the audience get to experience?

Maeve:      In our production, the stepsisters are played by men, so the audience can expect everything from the slapstick humor of the stepmother and her two crazy daughters to modern-day references to today’s pop culture.

Erik:      The stepmother has deliciously bad puns. The stepsisters are relentlessly full of antics. And, there is magic and a good helping of beautiful theater craft mixed in to keep things festive and beautiful.

WE:    In this production, you have the opportunity to work with CTC’s longtime company members, Autumn, Reed, Dean and Gerry Drake (who plays the Lord High Chamberlain).  What have you enjoyed most about working with these veterans of youth performance?

Erik:      I worked with Gerry Drake at the Guthrie Theater in “A Christmas Carol” several years ago.  It’s wonderful to be onstage with him again, in a much more engaged way.  And, getting to know Autumn, Reed and Dean has been an incredible experience. Watching them work together is a bit like participating in a master class in ensemble acting and learning how to continually keep a show fresh and alive.  I’m as intrigued watching from the wings today, several weeks into the run, as I was during the first run-through.

Maeve:      It has been such an honor to work with such a talented group of actors. During the rehearsal process, I enjoyed watching their creativity.  Their ability to improvise and experiment was really inspiring.  They are all wonderful people.  I admire them so much and have loved working with them.

WE:    Tell us about your background.  Is this your first performance at CTC and what have you enjoyed most about working at an organization that produces theater experiences specifically for children, and their families? 

Maeve:      This is my eighth performance at CTC.  It has been an amazing place to grow up in. The staff is truly dedicated and find such joy in their work. I also love that CTC focuses on producing new plays, as well as classics, for children.

Erik:      I grew up attending CTC productions and it was a major influence on my career, so having the chance to be in such a wonderful show is amazing.  One of the best things about this company is that CTC creates entertaining, educational experiences for children. The stories we tell and the quality with which the stories are told is nothing less than top-rate.

WE:    What have you enjoyed most about playing a role in this classic story?  What has producing the show in a panto style added to the traditional Cinderella tale?

Maeve:      I have really enjoyed playing Cinderella in this wonderful production. Many versions of “Cinderella” result in the banishment of the stepmother and stepsisters.  However, in our production, in the end, Cinderella accepts them into her life and forgives them. I admire the character’s generosity, kindness and ability to forgive. 

Erik:      The panto style provides something to engage every member of the audience – from the silly high-jinks of the stepmother and stepsisters to the beautiful settings and the wonderful underlying story about the transforming power of love. Pantomime allows room for all of this in one show.  It gives us permission to hit those ridiculous extremes, often in the same breath. It’s like a huge warm holiday hug.

WE:    Eduardo Sicangco’s sets and costume designs for this show are amazing and a live orchestra is a treat for CTC audiences at the holidays. In your opinion, what are some of the “can’t be missed” features, or moments, of the show that young audiences seem to love?

Erik:      The coach and the costumes are beautiful, but I love the constant, ridiculous one-liners, particularly when animals fall from the sky.

Maeve:      This show is one of the most beautiful productions I have had the privilege to be involved in. The costumes are so detailed and the set is extraordinary.  Having a live orchestra really adds a wondrous element to the show. One of the most “can’t be missed” moments is the entire transformation scene. The fairy godmother makes Cinderella’s dream a reality: mice become her coachmen, reindeer come to life to pull her sleigh, a carriage flies in, and amazingly, a cloak comes from the sky with the help of birds. 

WE:  This special holiday production of “Cinderella” runs through January 2, 2010, but tickets are selling fast.  To purchase tickets, please visit childrenstheatre.org or call the box office at 612.874.0400.  

In addition to “Cinderella,” the remainder of CTC’s 2009-2010 season includes “Mr. McGee & the Biting Flea,” a charming story from Australia’s Patch Theatre Company; “According to Coyote” and “Iron Ring;” Disney’s “Mulan, Jr.” and  for the preschool set: “The Biggest Little House in the Forest.” 

And, as a special for Wandering Educator readers, if you purchase tickets to “Mr. McGee & the Biting Flea,” you will receive one FREE adult ticket for every child ticket you purchase by mentioning promotional code 0115 (some restrictions apply).

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Full “Cinderella” and “Mr. McGee & the Biting Flea” performance schedules follow

Children’s Theatre Company “Cinderella”
Performance Schedule
Tickets: (612) 874-0400 or www.childrenstheatre.org

Wed Dec 2    7:00pm    
Thu Dec 3    7:00pm    
Fri Dec 4    7:30pm
Sat Dec 5    2:00 & 7:30pm
Sun Dec 6    2:00 & 5:00pm

Wed Dec 9    7:00pm    
Thu Dec 10    7:00pm    
Fri Dec 11    7:30pm        (ASL/AD performance)
Sat Dec 12    11:00am & 2:00pm
Sun Dec 13    2:00 & 5:00pm

Thu Dec 17    7:00pm    
Fri Dec 18    7:30pm
Sat Dec 19    11:00am & 2:00pm
Sun Dec 20    2:00 & 5:00pm

Mon Dec 21    11:00am & 5:00pm
Tue Dec 22    11:00am & 5:00pm
Wed Dec 23    11:00am & 5:00pm
Sat Dec 26    11:00am & 2:00pm
Sun Dec 27    2:00 & 5:00pm

Mon Dec 28    11:00am & 5:00pm
Tue Dec 29    11:00am & 5:00pm
Wed Dec 30    11:00am & 5:00pm
Thu Dec 31    11:00am & 5:00pm
Sat Jan 2    11:00am & 2:00pm