SRT brings the royal ball to its historic Columbia theater with a lavish staging of the beloved fairy-tale musical 'Cinderella' One of the best-loved rags-to-riches stories of all time returns to the stage with Sierra Repertory Theatre's staging of "Cinderella."
The company once again presents Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's musical version, originally presented in 1957 as a CBS TV program starring Julie Andrews. The show has been a favorite at Sierra Rep for a decade, blending family fun with humor, charm and hummable music.
The production runs Oct. 26 through Dec. 22 at the Fallon House in Columbia State Historic Park — a switch from SRT's East Sonora theater, where the show has been presented in the past.
Samantha Bruce plays the title character, who is persecuted by her evil stepsisters and stepmother until she is rescued by a fairy godmother and a handsome prince. "Playing the part is kind of a dream come true," Bruce said.
She said she loves the songs and, even more, the costumes. "She's got the most gorgeous ball gown," Bruce said. "I think my favorite part is the ball just because Jake Delaney, who's playing the prince, is one of my closest friends. To put on the ball gown and waltz around with him every night is fun."
The show's catchy score includes "Impossible; It's Possible," "In My Own Little Corner," "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" and "Ten Minutes Ago."
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bruce was hired by Sierra Repertory Theatre shortly after finishing Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont. She was invited to be a company member this season and played the title role in "Gypsy" and Julie in "Carousel."
When asked her favorite role, she couldn't decide. "They were all so different, which is great as an actress to really get to stretch into different characters like that," she said. I got to play a stripper in 'Gypsy' and now I'm playing a princess in 'Cinderella.' "
This is Bruce's final role as a Sierra Rep company member. She has decided to relocate to New York to try her hand at the theater scene there. She said she hopes to return to Sierra Rep from time to time for different shows.
Bruce is enjoying the challenge of creating the best Cinderella she can. "The hardest thing about playing the part is she is so famous, you want to live up to everybody's idea of who Cinderella is and what a princess should be," she said. "You don't want to disappoint any little girls who come to see it and who are all dressed up in their ball gowns.
"She really is a strong character. Oftentimes, she's played as a doormat. I'm trying not to do that. With her not-so-great family life, and loneliness, and to do all that with kindness and grace, it's almost saintly and not human. I think that takes a lot of strength."
Bruce said audience members should love the production. "It's entertaining and it's a stunning visual show. It's a really well-done telling of this classic fairy tale that everybody knows and loves."
WHAT: Sierra Repertory Theatre's "Cinderella"
WHEN: Oct. 26-Dec. 22; 2 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays
WHERE: Fallon House, Columbia State Historic Park, off Parrotts Ferry Road, Columbia
TICKETS: $18-$32
CALL:(209) 532-3120
ONLINE: www.sierrarep.org
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