Noble Fool to present Wartime 'Cinderella'

Putting aside the outdated myth of young women being rescued from a life of drudgery by Prince Charming, the story of "Cinderella" is one which has endured throughout history.

Bringing this tale to the Tri-Cities, and moving it forward into the 1940s, Noble Fool Theatricals Youth Ensemble will present "Cinderella," from March 21 to April 5, at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage in St. Charles.

In this Rodgers and Hammerstein version, director Helen Buck of Lisle has set the scene in 1943, and incorporated the music, dance, and lingo of that time.

"It's more of a visual thing we've done," said Buck, who credits the cast with contributing much to the development of this production.

"I've tried to build the scene without changing the text, yet have been creative in how we adapted the story to this time period."

Alex Adams, a freshman at St. Charles East High School, is appearing as Prince Charming, in this production. A veteran actor, who has performed at the high school, as well as at Wredling Middle School, Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles, Children's Theatre of Elgin, and at both Albright Theatre and First Street Theatre in Batavia, Adams finds this part varies a bit from the roles he's played before.

Most enjoyable is "the fact that everybody loves me as the Prince. It's great to play this instead of a villainous character," Adams said.

Challenges in this production include learning the slang of the 1940s. Adams also said the hardest part is "playing the romantic parts."

Janelle Deetjen, a student at Wredling Middle School in St. Charles, will be playing the role of Cinderella. It so happens that Deetjen and Adams already knew each other, and acted together in the past, in "Once Upon a Mattress," at Noble Fool Theatricals, last summer. Buck was the choreographer for that production.

A seasoned dancer, singer, and actor herself, Deetjen said, "I have loved the movie 'Cinderella' ever since I was young, particularly the Rodgers and Hammerstein version, which is what we are doing."

The familiar Rodgers and Hammerstein score remains, with music direction by Tali Allen of Roselle. Costumes from the '40s, with some designed by Kim Morris of Chicago, and others rented from All Dressed Up in Batavia, will be used. This production also features an update to that famous ballroom scene.

"The ball is very elaborate," Buck said. "It was a great opportunity for the kids to learn the Charleston. My interns did a whole presentation of 1940s dance styles. And we've also talked about body language, which was better in the past - no slouching!"

In addition to the updated appearance, the message of the story has also evolved with the times.

"I elaborated on the story's message that impossible things are happening every day," Buck said. "With the war and the changes in the work force, the 1940s was a coming out (time) for women.

"In the story, Cinderella is really coming into her own. And the stepmother is taking care of an entire household without a man in her life."

The NFT Youth Ensemble is an exclusive, audition-only program for the best and the brightest young talent. Students are responsible for memorizing lines, music, choreography and learn the craft of theater through the process of preparing for live performances.

If you go

What: Noble Fool Theatricals' production of "Cinderella" When: 10:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 21, 27, 28, and April 4; 7 p.m. Sunday, April 5

Where: Mainstage at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles

Tickets: $15

Call: Pheasant Run box office at (630) 584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional details are at www.noblefool.org.

FYI: Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchases are encouraged. Free parking and valet services are available. The venue is wheelchair accessible and hearing amplification systems are available. Ask the box office about lunch packages with Pheasant Run Resort's Harvest Steak and Seafood Restaurant.

'Cinderella' cast

Batavia: Mary Alcott, Cecily Lemon, John Lemon and Rebecca Rousseau

Carol Stream: Katie Brazier, Audrey Hartnett, Ashley Mortensen

Elburn: McKenzie McMullan

Elgin: Arianna Nutile and Emma Perry.

Geneva: Ally Carrino, Krystina DiCristofano, Maddy Donatelli, Michael Donatelli, Mollie Propheter, Rebecca Roy, Ruby Strauss, Cassidy Van Cleve

Maple Park: Emma Bohm

Orland Park: Sarah McKevitt

Plano: Julia Joyner

St. Charles: Alex Adams, Jacquelin Bongean, Kevin Chlapecka, Janelle Deetjen, Lauren Freas, Kelsey Gruden, Libby Harvey, Amelia Kuhlman, Kat Macdonald, Sarah Beth Rabin, Dannielle Reinke, Vicky Salzmann

Schaumburg: Emily Whaley

South Elgin: Mikey Taylor Warrenville: Rachel Isdale

West Chicago: Sara Monteleone, Elena Tubridy

Winfield: Nadia Pelletier Woodstock: Joey Javan