'Cinderella' takes stage at Playhouse Thursday

Cinderella, played by Jessica Finchum, scrubs the floors while her stepmother (Shelly McFadden at center) and her stepsisters, played by Mary Michael (left) and Caroline Good, oversee the task. The play opens at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Putnam County Playhouse. Tickets are $9.

The Prince is giving a ball, and everyone is invited!

The musical version of the fairy tale "Cinderella" opens Thursday night at the Putnam County Playhouse. It will be produced at 8 p.m. June 7-9 and June 13-16. A matinee performance is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, June 10.

Tickets are $9 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 653-5880 after 5 p.m. daily. Season tickets are also available. Sponsors for the production are First National Bank and Asbury Towers.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein production opens the 46th season at the playhouse, and it is the first production of "Cinderella" there in more than 25 years. The directors promise a magical show with lots of music and fun for the family.

Brad and Lita Sandy have worked as directors and choreographers on the production. The vocal director is Ric McFadden, who also plays the role of the King. Musical director and pianist for the show is Marilyn Burdsall.

The Sandy team chose a mix of veteran and new performers for major roles. Cinderella is played by Jessica Finchum. Her stepmother is played by Shelly McFadden. The roles of the two "darling" stepsisters are being taken by Caroline Good and Mary Michael.

Jodi Wingler plays the Fairy Godmother who sings the popular song "Impossible." Chris Krag is the Prince and Katie Wallace plays the Queen. Tim Fox is the Herald.

Familiar songs in the score include "In My Own Little Corner," "Boys and Girls Like You and Me" and "Ten Minutes Ago."

Other roles are taken by Kate Zehner, Linda Owens, Jessica Watson, Clay Spencer and Jack Custis.

The large ensemble includes Diane Guthrie, Travis Barger, Tom Mayer, Brandon Bartee, Orion Ortaz, Lainey Poor, Hope Strong, Julie Watson, Julie Cox, Hannah Zehner, Heather Owens, Sarah Tran, Alix Green, Katie Wingler, Matthew Watson, Taylor Strong, Addison Hughes, Marin Nelly and Rachel Custis.

Walt Disney's animated version was released in 1950. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical version began life as a television spectacular in 1957 starring Julie Andrews. It has been recorded twice since then. The other television Cinderellas were Lesley Ann Warren in 1965 and Brandy in 1997.

In addition to Burdsall, the music will be provided by Michael McClaine, Matt McClaine and Marcia Boswell.

Tyson Myrick is the production stage manager. Also working on the technical side are Melissa Green and Michael Walters on lights, Jim Green on sound, with Jessica Bessel and Ashtin Ford on the stage crew. The lighting design was by Brad Sandy and Myrick.

Bryan Schroeder is planing the pyrotechnic effects. Costumes are by Pat and Deborah Armitage, Landes Costumes by Rachel, and Civic Theater.

Ticket reservations are recommended. The season continues with a Young Performer's Production in late June, and William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in July.