Review: DISNEY'S CINDERELLA KIDS a hit at the Barn Players Kids

The Barn Players Kids presented Disney's Cinderella Kids at the Barn Players Theater located in Mission, Kan. June 17 through June 19. Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston wrote the music and lyrics and Marcy Heisler adapted the book and wrote additional lyrics. Based on a screenplay by Ken Anderson and Homer Brightman, Diane Bulan directed and choreographed the Barn Players Kids production.

The Barn Players Kids not only acted in the play they also were responsible for building the modest set designed by Diane Bulan and Bill Wright. The kids not only learned about the acting process, but most of the aspects of putting on a theatrical production.

The Disney story of Cinderella, the mistreated stepsister, who goes to the ball and dances with the prince. Having a dress created by her Fairy Godmother (played by Amanda Brinkley), a carriage built from a pumpkin, and drawn by mice magically turned into horses, Cinderella has only till midnight before everything changes to their original forms. At the stroke of midnight, she runs off, leaving a glass slipper behind. The search then begins as each single woman in the kingdom has the opportunity to try on the shoe.

According to a greeting in the back of the playbill, this show marked the acting debut of Maria Berardo as Cinderella. Her natural demeanor and stage presence was strong and if any indication she should be urged to continue with theater. As a Barn Kid, she owned the peace, making it her own.

Every member of the cast and crew performed impressively and are to be commended for their entertaining production. A second session of Disney's Cinderella Kids, directed by Jason Coats, will be presented at the Barn Players Theatre from July 22-24. Coats is the Education Coordinator for the Barn Players. The July presentation follows the second summer theatre workshop and will feature an all new cast.

Visit the Barn Players website for ticket to the July performance. Photo courtesy of the Barn Players.

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