Pacific Symphony Presents CINDERELLA, 3/23

The beloved children's classic and highly-revered ballet, "Cinderella," is given a whole new, whimsical look with life-size puppets helping to tell the famous tale set to Serge Prokofiev's timeless music for Pacific Symphony's next Family Musical Mornings concert, presented by Farmers &Merchants Bank.

Led by new Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez, this 45-minute concert is designed especially for children ages 5-11, allowing families the opportunity to hear and enjoy classical music in a kid-friendly environment. In collaboration with the Bob Brown Puppets, the Symphony performs selections from Prokofiev's beautifully lush score as the story of Cinderella and her wicked step-family unfolds-and her fairy godmother helps her find her prince and live happily ever after. With a spotlight on the cello, children also have the chance to compare the size and range of each string instrument, and to learn more about the rich, soulful sound of the cello during both the concert and the Musical Carnival (more below).

Taking place Saturday, March 23, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the concert opens with Johann Strauss Jr.'s "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka." This popular polka has been used in many recent films including, "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" and James Bond's film "Moonraker." Tickets are $19-31; for more information or to purchase tickets call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

"I love the contrasts in Prokofiev's melodies and themes and the vast variety of colors in his music," says Maestro Gutiérrez. "It is like feeding the imagination with thousands of ideas and mental pictures. Sometimes Prokofiev gives us glances of a melancholic idea, and other times he inspires happiness and the desire to dance or sigh for the beautiful love melodies."