`CINDERELLA' HAS MAGIC TOUCH, FAR MORE THAN FAIR FAMILY FARE

Cinderella! W~hat little girl hasn't dreamed of being the object of a prince's search for love? And in what woman's secret heart doesn't lurk the image of the abused stepchild whose fairy godmother makes all her dreams come true? And, for that matter, what man (never admitting it, of course) does not fancy himself as the handsome prince who may have his choice of the most beautiful women in the land?

Well, with reality suspended for a little more than an hour, all the magic comes true in the Forrest H. Rose Theatre at Southeast ~Missouri State University as University Theatre presents Don Garner's special adaptation of~~ the classic fairy tale.

School children and a few adults have already seen the play, but there will be three special performances open to the public Friday and Saturday.

Actually, the "magic" begins before the play, as audiences are greeted by the antics ~~~of clowns Pete,~ Pat, and Polly (Dan Kemper, Tim Stroud, and Ann Trimberger), who lead the audiences through parts of the story, get the audiences to "raise the magic blue curtain," and even take the places of the traditional transformed ~rodent~~~~ who take Cinderella to the ball quite a mass of feats and feet, one might say!

The admixture of "old" and "new" faces, both on stage and off, in this show is impressive, as is the total level of performance. Action is, of course, exaggerated but just to that fine line that will bring imaginative response rather than derision from the audiences, and afford fun rather than embarrassment for the performers themselves, especially the neophytes who are on stage ~~~~for the first time. This goes too for the technical crews, who are "freed up" in this kind of show to feel their oats, creatively, and still maintain the integrity and responsibility owed the audience and their colleagues.

Pert and pretty Abbie Crites plays a delightful Cinderella, using her not inconsiderable experience to~~ portray the innocent wisdom of the little cinder maid whose heart knows she really is a princess.

Newcomer Leslie Stevens, as pucker-faced step-mother Clotilda, does a neatly green~~persimmon job, as do her two daughters, O'Zetta (Tina Schafer) and O'Della (Angie Hotop); their projection of dialog and marvelously consistent physical portrayals of three despicable but pitiable women is much to be admired.

Edjron Pearson, another newcomer, does a fine bit of work as Andrew, the prince's keen-eyed and canny confidante, who first spots Cinderella as the girl of the prince's dreams.

Ah, yes! The Prince! Jim Stork is every inch the handsome Prince Charles, object of every girl's (and mother's) dreams one can't be sure of what Dad would think, if there were one.

Of course, there IS a mother, Queen Ostentatia, very properly enacted by Dawn Schwab, who, of course thinks her son is wonderful, but worries because he's so headstrong about finding the "right" girl and might even break the royal decree that he choose from the young ladies commanded to appear at the ball.

Lady Sarah, done with quiet yet forceful dignity by Jennifer Cooper, understands a bit more about life, love, and Prince Charles ~~than his Mum does, and offers~ helpful hands.

"Helpful hand" is not the term to describe, at least on the surface, the crazily clumsy cycle brothers, Harley (Patrick Rebmann) and Davey (Steve Weiss), who actually wind up, for all their stupidity, pratfalls, etc. ~their Prince quite well.

But where would any of this magic be if it were not for Esmerelda, the fairy godmother, beautifully played by Sharon Wickerham? She must have seemed like more than a fairy godmother to cast and crew, for as costume designer, she created most of the impressive costumes in the show (a few were rented). Bravo to her not ~only for her stardust performance on stage, but for the work she~~~ and her crew~~~~ did in the costume building.

Oh, gosh! This brings on the reviewer's nightmare! It takes so ~many people backstage, and in other supporting roles, that no one ever gets full recognition for genuine contributions. Who makes the music go on at the right moment? Who creates the smokey "POOF!!" that presages the magic appearance of ball gowns or pumpkin carriages? Who pulls the wires and dims or brightens the lights?

Okay we compromise. We list the designers and crew heads, knowing full well that there are dozens of others who've played key roles in putting such a fine show together. They know who they are, what ~they did and how much they learned. And it's the learning that's important.

Okay, so we just list the "main names" and hope these guys and gals will pass on the appreciation for work well done.

Well, we already know that Don Garner, formerly of Fontbonne Colleg~e in St. Louis, wrote the script and directed the play. Dennis C. Seye~r of the theatre faculty served as scenic designer. Students serving in production capacities are Kara Cracraft as lighting designer, Sharon Wicherham as already mentioned costume designer, Miki McNeal as assistant director and stage manager,~ ~Leah Petty as children's show coordinator, Shannon C. Curtis as make-up designer, Dan Stevens as technical director, and Maggie Conlon as choreographer.

It is interesting to note that pupils from six pre-schools and 29 grade and high schools in both Missouri and Illinois have been or will be brought to see Cinderella despite financial cutbacks that have curtailed field trips. It is disheartening to know that only four of t~hose schools are from Cape Girardeau! What's the problem, anyhow? Don't we want our children to experience the joy of live entertainment?

And believe you me, "Cinderella" is not just live entertainment, it's LIVELY entertainment and not just for kids. This is far more than fair family fare. It's a MUST SEE. We all need that special magic in our lives.