Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story at Dougherty Arts Center

This one-time-only performance is the despedida (going-away party) and bon voyage for the debut of Mariah Fonseca as Belinda. From West Palm Beach, Florida to Kalamazoo, Michigan, this award-winning show will be touring the country in Spring 2024.

Ten-year-old Belinda loves to tell stories, but when she’s in the basement preparing for a party upstairs, she’ll have to get creative. Using everyday objects like teapots and napkins, Belinda recreates the classic tale of Cinderella. Glass Half Full Theatre from Austin, Texas, presents its award-winning “story within a story” using puppetry, Spanish, and English. As Belinda confronts her stepmother and stepsisters, she’ll learn to embrace her love of poetry and stand up for herself. This captivating Cinderella for all ages tackles cultural heritage, family, and the power of language. Most enjoyed by 5+

Show History & Credits:

Cenicienta was originally created and presented at Zach Theatre in collaboration with Teatro Vivo and Glass Half Full Theatre. The role of Belinda was originated by Gricelda Silva.

Written by Caroline Reck and Rupert Reyes, with Gricelda Silva

Original musical composition by Ammon Taylor, featuring Ilia de la Rosa (cello) and Andrew Schindler (guitar). Also featuring original music by Francisco Villamizar (guitar), Paul Piñon (percussion), and Greg Goodman (bass)

Directed by Caroline Reck

Costume Design by Alana Anthony

Lighting Design by Rachel Atkinson

Sound Design by Pete Martinez with additional sound and mixing by K. Eliot Haynes

Prop & Puppet Design by Caroline Reck

Stage Management by Zac Crofford

Promotional Photography by Wylie Maercklein

The role of Belinda is performed by Mariah Foncesa.

Offstage voice are performed by:

Gary Soto: Rupert Reyes

Stepmother: Caroline Reck

Reina: Lilli Lopez

Preciosa: Marina DeYoe-Pedraza

Press quotes:

* “With its playful puppetry and poetic spark, Cenicienta is a perfect play. ” “This story of Cenicienta isn't like the others, and that is what makes it charming.” “It's fun (and refreshing in this age of technology) to watch Belinda embrace her creativity without the use of screens.” Broadway World: https://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/BWW-Review-Cenicienta-A-Bilingual-Cinderella-Story-at-the-Kennedy-Center-20210314

* "If you've ever had the fleeting wish that Disney's Cinderella wasn't so dated and unreal, here's your remedy." CTX LIVE: https://ctxlivetheatre.com/reviews/review-cenicienta-at-zach-theatre/

* “Students were fully engaged with Cenicienta throughout, even if they didn’t understand one of the languages being spoken. Such moments emphasize the importance of Latinx youth seeing and hearing actors who look and sound like them on stage—such representation is necessary in fostering youth’s connection with theatre.” Howl Round Theatre Commons: https://howlround.com/learning-and-listening-latinx-youth-2019-ltc-tya-sin-fronteras-festival-and-convening

* “The wonder of “Cenicienta” is the ability of its audiences to identify with Belinda. It embraces her creativity and her love of reading. It revels in the joy of playing with found objects and creating a story. It teaches lessons in the importance of reading and writing and the importance of being courageous and standing up for yourself as well as loving who you are, but it doesn’t hit kids over the head with those lessons.” The Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/news/20161012/review-zach-theatres-bilingual-cinderella-cenicienta

* “Belinda . . . speaks both English and Spanish throughout the play, intertwining both languages together in a way that is easy to understand . . .” DO512 FAMILY