WSU's CINDERELLA to Play Local Public Elementary Schools this Month

The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance will launch its inaugural Detroit Youth Theatre and Dance Journey with the children's play Cinderella or It's Okay to Be Different by Cynthia Mercati on June 4, 2013 and will travel to eleven different Detroit Public Elementary Schools throughout the month of June. The production will play at the Hilberry Theatre on June 20, June 21, June 23, June 27, June 28 and June 30 to provide an opportunity for all children and adults to enjoy Cinderella or It's Okay to Be Different. The performance on June 27 at 10:30 a.m. is already sold out.

This tale of Cinderella takes place on a school playground as a group of lively students discover that their familiar Cinderella story isn't the only one - that there was a Cinderella in ancient Egypt and one among the Algonquin Indians and that there are hundreds of Cinderella tales all around the world! In an innovative, sophisticated, and theatrical style, this fast-paced, up-beat, multicultural show focuses on the universality of folk literature and finds that it's okay to be different.

The tour to Detroit Public Schools is part of The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance outreach programs in response to the cuts of fine art programs to most Detroit Public Schools (DPS). The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance is offering the performances to the elementary schools within DPS because according to department chair John Wolf: "Cutbacks in DPS art programs have reduced the children's exposure to fine and creative arts. Detroit Public Schools and their children may face more challenges than others with greater means. Having the opportunity to provide them access to Theatre and Dance and to entertain them for a day will hopefully enhance their lives and lighten their load."

Cinderella or It's Okay to be Different will also be participating in three separate festivals throughout the city during the month of June on Saturdays. The production will be featured in North Rosedale Park's June Days Festival on June 8, a featured production in Detroit River Days in their Kid Zone on June 22 and will also be a part of the Summer In the Park Children's Series at Campus Martius on June 29.

The cast includes Yesmeen Mikhail (Wyandotte, MI) as "Kim", Jacqueline Fenton (Allen Park, MI) as "Lacey", Tayler Jones (Detroit ,MI) as "Teresa", Brittany Michael (St. Clair Shores, MI) as "Jodie", Jackson McLaskey (Mount Clemens, MI) as "Jeremy" and Colin Mallory (Lansing, MI) as "Kyle".

The creative team includes director Andrew Papa (Farmington, MI), Production Manager Veronica Zahn (Michigan City, IN), Stage Manager Nick Boyd (Redford, MI) Scenic and Property Designer Christa Tausney (Garden City, MI), Costumer Designer Mary Leyendecker, Lighting Designer Ryan Koprince (Ferndale, MI) and Sound Designer Amy Schneider (Sterling Heights, MI).

Individual Tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults. There is a $5 per ticket price for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Hilberry Theatre Box Office at 313-577-2972, online at www.wsushows.com, or by visiting the box office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass Ave. and Hancock. The summer Box Office hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10 - 2 p.m. The box office will be open one hour prior to all performances. Performance information and tickets may also be obtained by visiting the Theatre's websites at www.hilberry.com.