Culture
Cast, Crew Preparing For Lancaster Festival Premiere Of “Cinderella”
By: Cheri Russo
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The cast and crew of Ohio University Lancaster Theatre’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella are hard at work getting ready for their Lancaster Festival debut on July 20.
“Children and adults will be mesmerized by this show,” said Jordan LeuVoy who plays The Prince. “It is really amazing.”
“We are privileged and honored to be presenting, during the Lancaster Festival, Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” said OUL Theatre Director Victor Jones. “It’s a highly restricted license now because the show is running on Broadway. For us to get that honor and for them to approve the licensing is huge. We were one of the few chosen.”
The musical is a community theatre production, which means actors from the region are in the production as well as OUL Theatre students. Erin Chapman, a senior at Bloom Carroll High School, is playing the part of Cinderella.
“Most musicals are just singing and dancing,” said Chapman. “But there are three physically demanding dance numbers in this show as well. At this point, we are practicing most weekdays and every weekend.”
The premiere of Cinderella will be July 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The show will run through Aug. 3 at the Wagner Theatre. Tickets will cost $10, $12 and $14.
The cast of "Cinderella" (photo provided)
“The most challenging part of this play for me as an actress is that Cinderella is such a happy character,” said Chapman. “I’ve played very serious characters in the past. But this is all about the fantasy world, and it will be great for everyone in the audience to watch.”
“The Prince is an icon,” said LeuVoy. “So the big thing for me is to make him as real as possible. I need to make everyone in the audience believe he is a real person so that the love story is believable.”
“The music is gorgeous. It is classic musical theatre,” added Jones. “This material is so from the heart. The melodies are beautiful. When you leave the theatre, you’re going to be singing these songs. I want the audience to be taken back to this magical, pure time of love and romance. The characters are so endearing, you can’t help but love all of them.”
Musicians from the Lancaster Festival Orchestra will provide accompaniment during both performances of the premiere.
“We are thrilled to have the festival musicians,” said Jones. “It’s an honor and a privilege.”
For more information on Ohio University Lancaster Theatre, visit the organization's Facebook page. For information on the Lancaster Festival, visit www.lancasterfestival.org.