November 19, 2008 > Theater Review: A Tale of Cinderella Theater Review: A Tale of Cinderella By Emma Victoria G. Blanco Just as you would expect from the classic story of Cinderella, Douglas Morrisson Theater's (DMT) production, A Tale of Cinderella, has wicked stepsisters, a magical godmother and a lost slipper. But instead of a wand, Cinderella's godmother wields a magic spoon and instead of a pumpkin-turned-stagecoach, Cinderella arrives at the ball in an enchanted gondola. Add "lots of Italian spice and fire" and presto! you have a wonderful new rendition of a beloved children's tale. Set in the romantic city of Venice, Italy, A Tale of Cinderella tells the story of Angelina, who lives with her merchant father, a stepmother and stepsisters. While her manipulative stepmother keeps her father under an evil spell with a magical amulet, Angelina has been relegated to doing all the chores such as the laundry and cleaning the hearth. This compels the stepsisters to mock Angelina and cruelly dub her "la cener�ntola" or Cinderella. As Cinderella wanders through the city dreaming of love and lamenting over her father's unhappiness, she befriends a masked stranger (the Prince in disguise). They realize that they have fallen in love but not after they have already parted from each other. The prince is intent on finding her and making her his bride so with the aid of his Godpapa, he invites all the single ladies to a "Grand Venetian Wife-Hunt Ball." In the meantime, Cinderella gets some support and help from her own godparent, La Stella. With magical flurry, La Stella pulls a beautiful gown from the basket of dirty laundry and a pair of Italian crystal shoes from the fireplace. When she arrives at the ball, the prince is instantly drawn to Cinderella, but before he announces to everyone that he has found his bride, the clock strikes midnight and Cinderella hastens away, leaving a shoe behind. The prince takes the shoe and searches throughout the city for her. When he finally finds the girl to whom the shoe belongs, he realizes that she was the girl he had originally befriended. Cinderella also realizes that the stranger that she had fallen in love with and the prince were one and the same. With her father's blessing, Cinderella and her prince wed. A score that boasts music composed by Will Severin and George David Weiss ("What a Wonderful World," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight") aids director Faith Blevins and her talented cast to enrapture the audience. Judy Sanders and Jeannie O'Brien are fantastic in the roles of stepsisters Moltovoce and Seppia. Shauna Shoptaw is La Stella, Cinderella's sassy "Godmama." Together with Elmer Strasser as Il Compari (the prince's "Godpapa"), they deliver most of the show's Italian gusto with their heartwarming humor and delightful duets. The rest of the cast members are equally engaging but Natalie Hawkins is especially superb in the title role; her skillful voice exquisitely showcased with songs such as "In the Air" and "Some Sweet Day." DMT has produced a delightful theatrical conclusion to its 2008 season. A Tale of Cinderella is a triumphant success, an enduring classic with an entertaining twist that everyone from the young to the young-at-heart will immensely enjoy. A Tale of Cinderella November 14 - December 7 Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays: 8 p.m. (Sundays at 2 p.m.) Douglas Morrisson Theatre 22311 North Third Street, Hayward (510) 881-6777 www.dmtonline.org $25 Adults; $22 Seniors; $15 Students/Juniors