For most Brits, a visit to the local theatre to see the pantomime is
as much part of the Christmas season as Turkey is to an American’s
Thanksgiving. What is particularly appealing to the Brits, and now to
Federal Way audiences, are the exuberant traditions of “panto”. This
kind of pantomime is anything but silent. It’s loud, boisterous, full
of music, ridiculous humor and audience involvement.

The semantic confusion over the word “pantomime” began in 1712, when
an Italian theatre company brought a mime show to London. The
performance was preceded by a spoken synopsis. Producers noted that
audiences preferred the spoken word, so the dumb show was eliminated
and the dialogue retained - but the shows retained the name
“pantomime”.

As the centuries passed, so many beloved traditions emerged: the Dame
(an ugly self-obsessed older woman played by a man); the principal boy
(the male lead played by a woman); traditional routines, re-cycled
year after year; the juvenile ensemble; characters representing Good
and Evil; the fairytale plot; the vaudeville humor; parodies of
popular music of the day and last but not least, audience
participation.

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Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper is a folk tale embodying the
mythic element of unjust oppression surmounted by triumphant reward.

The story was first published in French in 1697, but its origin is in
Ancient Greece. In the1st Century BC, the historian Strabo recorded
the tale of the girl Rhodopis, who lived in Ancient Egypt. When she
was bathing, an eagle snatched one of her sandals and carried it to
Memphis. While the king was administering justice in the open air, the
eagle dropped the sandal into his lap. Intrigued by the beauty of the
sandal, the king sent his men far and wide in search of the woman who
wore it. When she was found, she was brought to Memphis and became his
wife.

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Cinderella features Erin Herrick, a recent graduate of the University
of Washington, in the title role. Ms. Herrick’s collegiate credits
include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Urinetown. She
has also appeared at 5th Avenue Theatre and with Village Theatre’s
Kidstage.

Appearing as Buttons, Cinderella’s long-suffering buddy is Erik
Gratton. Mr. Gratton is new to Seattle, having spent the last 10 years
living in New York and Los Angeles. His Seattle area work this year
includes. River Ice with Playwrights’ Theatre and Someone Who’ll Watch
Over Me with Island Stage Left.

Roger Curtis is playing his fifth Pantomime Dame at Centerstage. He
has an MFA in Directing from Cal Arts and directed and performed in
Boston for many years before changing coasts. Locally he was a regular
director at SecondStory Rep, directing Waiting For Godot and The Glass
Menagerie.

Also appearing are Alex Blouin, Alan Bryce, Hilary Heinz, Sam Barker
and Rosalie Hilburn. Cinderella has been directed by Vince Brady with
musical direction by David Duvall, choreography by Amy Johnson, Set
and lights by Amy Silveria and costumes by Ron Leamon.

TICKETS are on sale and available by phone at (253) 661-1444, or
online at www.centerstagetheatre.com, and in person at the Knutzen
Family Theatre box office. Single tickets are $28 for adults; $24 for
seniors and military; and $10 ticket for 18 years and younger.

CINDERELLA opens on Friday November 30th and runs through Sunday
December 23rd. All shows are performed at the Knutzen Family Theatre.
CINDERELLA will be running in repertory with SISTER’S CHRISTMAS
CATECHISM (press release to follow). Performance dates and times are
on Centerstage’s website: www.centerstagetheatre.com

CENTERSTAGE is Federal Way’s resident Theatre Company. It was founded
in 1977. The company has produced shows at the Knutzen Family Theatre
on the shores of Puget Sound since 1998. Artistic Director Alan Bryce
is committed to producing “innovative, accomplished productions of
popular work and for new work with the widest possible audience
appeal.” In April 2009, the City of Federal Way awarded Centerstage
the contract to manage the Knutzen Family Theatre. The contract was
renewed in April 2012.

END

253-661-1444 M-F 10am - 4pm
Please visit our web-site at: CenterstageTheatre.com