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The production is directed by Instructional Professor of Music Patrick Howle.
Viardot’s Cendrillon is a retelling of Charles Perrault’s fairy tale, composed in an operetta style combining musical numbers and dialogues.
Instead of a stepmother, this story has the foolish Baron de Pictordu, with his two vain daughters, Maguelone and Armelinde, that are both after the Prince.
After an invitation to the palace for a grand ball arrives, Maguelone and Armelinde prepare for such a wonderful event. Marie, who they call ‘Cendrillon’ is left behind while everyone else attends the ball.
Hearing her sad song, La Fée (the fairy godmother) appears and promises to make Cendrillon’s dreams come true: she will go to the ball. Meanwhile, the Prince and his good friend Count Barigoule swap places to test out the true natures of the potential brides.
A mysterious stranger appears at the ball, and she and the Prince fall in love at first sight, but will he be able to find her again when she runs away at midnight?
In her retelling of this well-loved story, Viardot seems to reference both Rossini’s La Cenerentola and Massenet’s Cendrillon, to create this charming, rather under-appreciated, work.
Cast includes MacKenzie Kerr (Feb. 2) and Fayelyn Kmiec (Feb. 4) as Cendrillon; Sara Flessner (La Fée); Matthew Thompson (Prince Charming); Joseph Barnes (Comte Barigoule); Chandler Goodman (Baron de Pictordu); Marlee Mikel (Maguelonne); Maria Snider (Armelinde); Matthew Stephens (Footman); and an ensemble that includes Aagaman Bajracharya, Carollyn Chapman, Kendra Johnson, Sierra Ponzini, Shawnelle Smith, and Thomas Smith.
Music will be performed by Jung Hee Lee (pianist) and Luke Buchanan (percussion).
Production staff includes Linden Little (scenery) and Jonathan Eastman (lighting), with costumes by Broadway Costumes Inc. in Chicago.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students 17 and under, and $5 for seniors. Pitt State students, staff, and faculty are free with a PSU ID.
