Cinderella’s slipper moved to Skyline
December 1, 2008
By Chantelle Lusebrink
The Issaquah High School cast members of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ pose in all their finery. Photo by Chantelle Lusebrink.
Once upon a time there was a prince, a cinder girl and an evil stepmother — we all know how the story goes. But you won’t want to miss Issaquah High School’s presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” this season.
Featuring classic songs, like “The Prince Is Giving a Ball,” “Impossible” and “Stepsisters’ Lament,” the teen actors put on a fun and magical holiday show.
“We want people to walk out feeling happier and feeling like maybe life isn’t so hard,” said Jessica Smith, a junior who is one of two girls playing Cinderella. “We want them to feel that there is hope left, that something miraculous can still happen.”
They’ll help make those feelings come alive by staging their performance at Skyline High School, where they’ll have access to a host of stage lighting and technical aspects they’ve never had before. (The performances can’t be at Issaquah because of the school’s construction.)
But what would “Cinderella” be without the ridiculousness of her maniacal stepsisters?
It isn’t often that two high school boys willingly put on fancy ball gowns, but seniors Ian Lerch and Dallas Stromberg do just that for their characters.
Much of the cast admitted their favorite parts of the production involved the antics of Lerch and Stromberg onstage, as the two sisters waging an unsuccessful war with Cinderella.
“The stepsisters are sidesplitting,” said Sarah Meyer, a junior who plays the Fairy Godmother.
Just in case boys in drag isn’t enough, the students said the humor in the show is directed at every level of theatergoer, so adults will have a good time as well.
But it’s the sweeping music, lovely period costumes and romance that provide the shows “happily ever after” ending and make this a sure-fire holiday feel-good story.
“It encompasses what a fine arts program we have to offer at Issaquah,” Lerch said.
“It’s going to be an awesome musical piece,” said Dylan Cook, a senior who plays the king. “The music is great, the acting is great and it’s just hilarious.”
Reach Reporter Chantelle Lusebrink at 392-6434, ext. 241, or clusebrink@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.issaquahpress.com.
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