Cinderella returns for three more performances!

ICCT - It’s back! Due to the overwhelming turnout for Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, ICCT has announced a three performance extension of the show December 31 at 8:00, January 1 at 7:30, and January 2 at 2:00 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

You can also ring in the “New Year” with the cast of Cinderella. Join Cinderella, Prince Charming, the jealous stepsisters and more for a New Year’s VIP event before the show on Friday, Dec 31st at 6pm until 10pm. The cost of $40 includes admission for one child and one adult, plus unlimited cookies and hot cocoa, party favors, magic wand, tiara or sword, pictures with the cast, and much more.

Call (319) 338-0443 for reservations. There is also a coupon offered at the ICCT website.

ICCT Transforms into a Land of Make Believe

ICCT — The Iowa City Community Theatre, in partnership with the University of Iowa Community Credit Union, will be presenting a two-week run of Rogers & Hammerstein’s fairy-tale-turned-musical Cinderella this month at the Johnson County Fair Grounds.

The cast and crew of Cinderella have created an event for the whole family, transforming the space at the Johnson County Fairgrounds into a portal into the land of make-believe. Immediately upon entering the building, audiences will be greeted by a fairy tale marketplace. One half of the foyer is covered with pumpkins, and along the walls and suspended from the ceiling are twining vines that transform on the other side as if by magic into the black and silver of a royal palace. There, patrons will be greeted by “townsfolk” vendors and, of course, ushers, ready to bring them to the set itself.

Behind the curtain lie even greater wonders. The single set piece that serves as village square, country chateau and royal ballroom is studded throughout with LED lights that sparkle on cue. Add to that seven pounds of glitter, astonishing costumes and professional-grade lighting, and you won’t have to suspend disbelief. It’s been done for you.

The performance promises to equal the set in spectacle. Jill Beardsley, the professional dance instructor who choreographed last spring’s ICCT production of Wonderful Town, returns to oversee both costuming and choreography for Cinderella. The performance is set to be, not only visually stunning, but also musically gratifying. An 18-piece orchestra will sit just through the castle gate, accompanying the classic tale with one of the grandest traditions of the Broadway musical: a Rogers & Hammerstein original score.

It has been said that every culture has its own version of the Cinderella tale, and there is a reason for that. The universal themes of longing for happiness, of cheering for the underdog, and of miracles working for those that deserve them are a part of the collective human psyche. In short, we all want to be Cinderella, and so this play resonates with us all.

But the enchantment doesn’t end when the curtain falls. Back in the lobby, guests can enter a drawing to win nothing less than the Fairy Godmother’s wand. Talk about taking the magic home with you! There will also be gift baskets to bid on in a silent auction and, as an extra-special treat on opening night, Yummy’s Cakes has donated a wedding cake to celebrate Iowa City’s own Happily Ever After.

Performances will be at 7:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, December 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th, and at 2:00 for Sunday matinees on the 12th and 19th. For ticket information, visit the ICCT website at www.iowacitycommunitytheatre.com.

ICCT Announces Two Casts

ICCT - The Iowa City Community Theatre has released the cast lists for the next two productions: Cinderella, which opens December 10th at the Johnson County Fair Grounds, and My Fair Lady in Concert, which will be presented at the Englert Theatre January 7th and 8th.

Rehearsal, costuming and set construction are already well underway for Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Ben Bentler is directing the show as a part of ICCT’s regular season. Cinderella will run the weekends of December 10th, 11th, 12th and 17th, 18th and 19th.

The cast is:

Cinderella- Janelle Barrow
Prince-Dustin Sorrell
Godmother-Elizabeth Breed
Stepmother-Ken VanEgdon
Portia-Jessica Faselt
Joy-Megan Duquette
King-Howard Meadows
Queen-Carole Martin
Herald-Andrew Cole
Steward-Jill Beardsley
Cook-Doug Beardsley
Girl-Noelle Martin
Boy-Joel Meadows

Ensemble: Kaci Brier, Andrew Cole, Eoghan Hartley, Ali Heath, Amy Konz, Stephen Krutzfeldt, Dan Kuntz, Noelle Martin, Mary Jane Myers, Joel Meadows, and Elisabeth Ross

Veteran director Josh Sazon and music director Ed Kottick have also started rehearsing Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady in Concert, which will be a staged reading similar to the well-received concert performance of South Pacific this past August.

The principals are:

Eliza Doolittle—Megan Keiser
Henry Higgins—Josh Sazon
Alfred Doolittle—John Muriello
Colonel Pickering—Howard Meadows
Freddy Eynsford-Hill—Brian Jones
Mrs. Higgins—Caroline Oster
Mrs. Pearce—Jen Gerbyshak
Mrs. Eynsford-Hill—Mary Wedemeyer

Ensemble: Chuck Bogh, Katie Eaton, Jen Gerbyshak, Carol Johnk, Nancy Kula, Bryan Lawler,Miranda Lipes, Susan Manuel, Kevin Moore, Elisabeth Ross, Jordan Running, Roxy Running, Ryan Shallady, Ellen Stevenson, Olivia Symmonds, Rebekah Trotter, Jill Van Dorpe, Jim Verry, Alexandra Walsh, Mary Wedemeyer and Dylan Wheeler.

Like South Pacific in Concert, the dialogue of My Fair Lady will be pared down and sets and costuming minimal, creating a more streamlined presentation of the beloved story of one woman’s transformation from Tottenham-Court Road flower vendor to proper lady. It is being presented in addition to ICCT’s regular season.

Auditions for Cinderella this week

ICCT - The Iowa City Community Theatre will be holding auditions for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Thursday, October 14th at 7pm at Iowa City Rec Center (220 S. Gilbert), Friday, Oct 15th at 7pm at Johnson County Fairgrounds (4265 Oak Crest Hill Road) and Saturday, Oct. 16th at 2:30pm at the Iowa City Rec Center. Performances are December 10-19. Rehearsals begin Oct 18. Looking for all ages/ranges. Please bring a song to sing and be prepared for a cold read. For more information, contact Ben Bentler at 319-512-9834 or pianoartist@mac.com.

This show replaces Celebration,which was to be directed by Michael Stokes. After Michael resigned from the show, Ben Bentler offered to step in, but there were concerns about the short time frame. Ben suggested a different show with a later run. The board enthusiastically supported Ben's suggestion of Cinderella.

"Cinderella is a great fit for ICCT and our audiences," said Kehry Lane, ICCT president. "We feel it has great appeal for all ages, and will be a great show for the holiday season."

There's been a spate of replacement shows in the last year. ICCT replaced Bend in the Road with All the Timing last season. Similarly, City Circle went with Baltimore Waltz after having to cancel Threepenny Opera.