The Carmi-White County High School Drama Department will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella this weekend in the High School Auditorium. Admission is $5 for students and $10 for adults. Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 pm. Sunday’s performance will be at 2:30 pm.
Director Sherry Passmore, along with Catalina Baker, who plays Cinderella in the production, and Marie Blankenberger, who plays one of the stepsisters, were guests on WROY’s Open Line Program recently and Sherry talked about this particular version of Cinderella…
“This is the Rodgers and Hammerstein version. It’s not Disney but it’s still very funny. It has wonderful music throughout. It’s still a very enjoyable version, but if you’re kind of tired of the [Disney] Cinderella version, same story line, but this one has a twist that only Rodgers and Hammerstein can do. I’ve looked at this production of Rodgers and Hammerstein a few times. I almost did it a few years back but it was not available because a lot of times when it is touring they cut off the ability to be able to do it, so I’ve kind of had to put this one on the back burner as one I’ve wanted to try at some point and because we have Zandrea Hoffenrichter doing our choreography it just made this one perfect.”
Catalina Baker not only has the lead role of Cinderella, but is also the Dance Captain for this production. She explained that role…
“Sometimes we make up choreography within the dance if Ms. Hoff doesn’t have time and if any of the students are struggling. We learn all the dances so we can teach them so our dances can look better.”
Having been involved with the Drama Department for all 4 years of High School, she talked about what being a part of the Drama Department means to her…
“I was always drawn to the shows and I always looked up to the kids that were in the plays because I just thought it was so cool. So I joined and I ended up making a bunch of friends that I probably wouldn’t have if I’d never joined. People that I never thought of being friends with. I never had a problem with Marie but I just never thought we would be friends be we just didn’t run in the same circles.
Marie Blankenberger also has multiple roles in making the production a success. Not only is she in the play as in her words “the mean” stepsister Grace, a role she loves to play, but she’s also Co-Student Director…
“Well, at the beginning we were there for auditions so we got to help pick the cast, which is exciting. The rest of it is keeping everyone in line and helping with a little bit of directing and helping advertise and do ads and whatever else it takes to help make the play come together.”
This is Marie’s second year with the Drama Department and she talked about what drew her to want to be a part of the Drama Department.
“For me it’s so rewarding to work for months at it and you put on the show and you see people in the audience smiling and afterwards they come up and congratulate you. Just to know that you put in so much time and effort. You hear people singing the songs afterwards and everyone just enjoys it.”
The ladies again reminded listeners of the showtimes, dates and ticket prices for the CWCHS Drama Department’s Production of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella…
“It is November 15th and 16th at 7:30 pm and then November 17th at 2:30 pm. $5 for students and $10 for adults.” Pre-school is free.”
Make sure to check out Cinderella this weekend at the CWCHS Auditorium.
