Scholars have trace the original stories of Cinderella back centuries and to nearly every culture. Many children probably think that Walt Disney created Cinderella. What we today recognize as as the basic story traces to 17th century France. There are countless adaptations. Yet B Street Theatre artistic director Buck Busfield has written another wonderful version for the youngest theatre goers.

No pumpkin turned into a carriage or mice turned into white horses. The two acts are a good length for shorter attention spans. It is still an entertaining, charming play with lots to entertain the older siblings and even the adults. As in many things written for children there is a lot of double meanings clear only to the adults.

Adding to the enjoyment of the play are music and songs by Noah Agruss. Agruss has composed music for several B Street Theatre productions as well as television (Beijing Olympics for NBC) and film (“Five Fingers”). The music was a nice accompaniment to the action and the songs ranged from pretty to lots of fun.

B Street acting intern, Carly Stocking plays Cinderella suffering at the hands of her nasty step mother. Stockings performance is the right balance of obedience and defiance.

Erin Island plays both the stepmother and the Faery Godmother. Island was an acting intern in 2006-2007 at B Street. She is also familiar with the other side of the stage as a director and stage manager.

B Street acting intern Chris Page is well cast as Prince Charming. He very much looks the role in his uniform. He is also bewildered by the goings on around him.

Rick Kleber plays Cinderella’s loving but helpless/hapless father. The question is why did he marry this horrible woman? It probably wasn’t his decision. Kieber also plays one of the young maidens vying for the hand of the Prince, not fooling the kids for a minute. Kleber has been performing with B Street since he was an original member of B Street’s Fantasy Theatre Company.

Stephanie Altholz plays Acidella and Tara Sissom plays Beatrice, the stepsisters. Altholz has appeared in numerous B Street Family series productions. She was most recently seen as May in “Junie B Jones, Jingle Bells Batman Smells.” Altholz is also a regular at Capital Stage.

This is Sissom’s first appearance with the Family Series after several roles on the Mainstage. She is a B Street Theatre Company Member.

Tara Sossom (Beatrice) Stephanie Altholz (Acridella) Chris Page (Prince) Carly Stocking (Cinderella) Erin Island (Sephmother) (Image by: B Street Theatre Staff)

The stepsister’s behavior might remind some in the audience of how they get along with their siblings.

Another “Junie B Jones, Jingle Bells Batman Smells” cast member, John Lamb plays the prince’s manservant, the announcer and Moria another young maiden. Lamb is a longtime B Street performer and has been seen numerous times on all of the B Street stages.

As with a lot of children’s entertainment Lamb’s roll operates on two levels,  “Rocky and Bullwinkle” being another good example. His interest in cross dressing and the prince amuses the adults while the children just think it is silly. 

It is hard to tell who is having the most fun with their role in “Cinderella. All do a great job with Agruss’ songs.

Long time B Street regular and multitalented (actor, director and writer), Greg Alexander directs with gusto.

Nancy Pipkin’s costumes and Myke Kunkel’s sets round out the quality elements of the production.

This well written production of “Cinderella” accompanied by wonderful children's music is perfect for the youngest theater goers. Yet with its’ quality performances and double meanings the older members of the audience will be far from bored. Besides it is so much fun seeing the kids having a great time.

The kids also learn a subtile lesson or two like 'if you don’t get along and behave you might loose the prize'.

"Cinderella"

B Street Theatre Family Series

Weekends through April 17th

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