by April Helms
Special Products Editor
The ballet "Cinderella" has "a little bit of everything," said Christine Meneer, the artistic director for the Ballet Theatre of Ohio.
"It's got humor, a lot of humor, it's got a love story, it's got a rags to riches theme," Meneer said. "It's got beautiful costumes and great choreography. The ballet is easy to follow, especially with the stepsisters. There is a lot of pantomime. The children will know exactly what's going on."
This will be the sixth time Meneer has staged "Cinderella" with her company, but there will be one big difference: This will be the first time that the Ballet Theatre of Ohio, a professional ballet company created out of the former preprofessional company Children's Ballet Theatre, has staged it. This will be the first time that Meneer has staged the ballet, based on the classic fairy tale, with a core of the company's professional dancers. In the past, the former Children's Ballet Theatre had hired professional dancers for some of the roles.
Ballet Theatre of Ohio will stage "Cinderella" May 3 and 4 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
"If [people] have come to see 'Sleeping Beauty,' they will be pulled in with this story, too," said Valerie Renner, media representative for BTO. "It's going to be another enchanting production the family will enjoy."
The title role of Cinderella will be danced by Jessica Schroeder of Stow. Eric Carvill will be the Prince, Jennifer Moll of Stow is the Fairy Godmother, the ugly stepsisters will be danced by Andrea Blankstein and Eryn Hanes, and the evil stepmother will be played by Kelly Meneer.
Lighting is designed by Dennis Dugan with sets designed by Jack Ballance and Ernie Cannan.
Schroeder said she was in all but one of the productions of "Cinderella," starting as the court jester in the first 1996 production when she was 10.
"I've danced my whole life, since I was 2 1/2," Schroeder said.
A challenge with dancing in this particular show is the acting element, Schroeder said.
"It's a lot of dancing and a lot of acting," she said. Schroeder added she "enjoyed being onstage with Andrea and Eryn as the stepsisters, and look forward to performing with them."
Hanes, who said she has danced since she was 4, agreed that the acting aspect was the most challenging.
"It's all acting," Hanes said. "I danced Swanhilda in 'Copéllia,' which is a lot of acting, but nothing like this."
However, Hanes called the production "really fun."
"We have times when we just sit and laugh at each other, it's so funny," Hanes said.
Blankstein said she previously danced in "Cinderella" in Youngstown, although this is her first time dancing the role as one of the stepsisters.
Meneer said the acting aspect "requires talent."
"It is a gift, like anything else," Meneer said.
The roles of the stepsisters is especially challenging in some ways, Meneer added.
"They have to be ugly and clumsy, and falling over themselves," she said. "As ballerinas, you are trained to be straight and aligned, and to move beautifully. It's out of character for what they are trained to do."
Blankenstein described her character as the ditzy stepsister, while Eryn's was the mean, bossy stepsister.
Carvill, who formerly danced with the Ohio Ballet, said he enjoyed dancing the pas de deux work in the ballet (for non-ballet aficionados, or those who need a refresher, that's "dance for two").
"There are a lot of challenges," Carvill added. "Right now, I'm trying to get the acting in, getting the sequence of events in order so they flow naturally."
Ticket and show information
Performance times of "Cinderella" are May 3 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and May 4 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $25, $22 and $18 and are available at the Akron Civic Theatre box office at 330-253-2488. Visit www.BalletTheatreOhio.org to receive a special discount ticket offer. BTO is also offering Girl Scout discounts and group rates.
Doors open one hour prior to each performance. Attendees can arrive early to have a picture taken with Cinderella and shop the ballet boutique.
The performance itself is less than two hours, plus an intermission, Meneer said.
E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153