More singing and dancing take stage in Cape today

If you didn't get your fill of stage performances last week, you again have some opportunities this weekend.

Students at Central High School will perform Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" today through Sunday at the high school.

"Cinderella" is, of course, a classic fairy tale that tells the story of a young lady, her wicked stepmother and stepsisters and a benevolent fairy godmother. The musical, currently playing on Broadway, features songs such as "In My Own Little Corner" and "Impossible; It's Possible." The original stage production, starring Julie Andrews in the title role, aired on live TV in 1957. Since then it has been adapted for television two more times, once in 1965, with Leslie Ann Warren portraying Cinderella. The most recent was in 1997 and starred Brandy Norwood, Whitney Houston and Bernadette Peters, among others.

Tickets to Central's production of "Cinderella" are available at capetigers.seatyourself.biz or by calling (573) 334-0644.

If modern or classical dance is more your speed, look no further than the Bedell Perfomance Hall. Southeast Missouri State University's annual Spring Into Dance opens tonight and continues through Sunday.

Southeast students will showcase original choreography by Southeast faculty, student and guest artists. The pieces to be performed range from a male-female duo to a classical ballet trio to the sports-themed DanceSport.

More information on Spring Into Dance is available at rivercampusevents.com.

Whether they are elementary, high-school or college students, the young people who participate in the performing arts are hard workers. Not only are many of them expected to maintain high academic standards, they dedicate much of their free time to maintain high standards in their chosen art; many of them are employed or play sports, as well.

The inclusion of arts in educaton leads to well-rounded members of society. By attending these performances, you show support and appreciation for the hard work that goes into their production.