A Sideways Fairy Tale: Cinderella Has Something for Every Sense of Humor

Waterworks Players in Farmville is presenting Cinderella as its annual holiday pantomime. For those not familiar with the form of the show, “pantomime incorporates song, dance, absurdity, cross-dressing, references to pop culture, audience participation and occasional inappropriate jokes (for the parents).”

The hilarious show presents a dozen local children as sprites, villagers and other characters throughout the evening along with a compliment of Waterworks regulars.

“Part of the magic of pantomime,” says Mary Jo Stockton, director, “is the audience participation.” Participation from the audience is expected if not required by this cast, with audience members being encouraged to “boo” the villain and cheer for the hero.

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella (played by Sherri Davenport); abused by her wicked stepmother (Patricia Schmidt) and stepsisters and destined to fall in love with Prince Charming (Greg Tsigaridas). The production adds a few twists and turns along the way, with new characters like Charming’s charming valet, Dandini (played by Jess Baul), Cinderella’s love-stricken best friend, Buttons (played by Ross Baldwin), Cinderella’s debt-ridden father, Baron Hardup (Bill Thomson), two debt collectors from the Bank of Farmville, Rough (Matt Beachy) and Ready (Katherine Lusk), and a host of sprites (Andra Henke, Josephine Hemmer, Sylvia Hemmer, and Callyn Vogel) and villagers (Abbey Henry, Audrey Gee, Phillip Sadler, Sean Stockton, Autumn Shook, and Dustin Cordell). Rounding out the cast are Kathleen Lilly as the Fairy Godmother, Pam Wright as Madam Olga, Audrey Gee as the Herald, and Eva Gee as the Mouse.

Jordan Whiley and Don Blaheta, both Waterworks veterans, shine as the ugly stepsisters, Hyacinth and Lowercinth. Their interactions, along with Blaheta’s apparent refusal to shave his goatee, make for a seriously entertaining evening at the theater.

The show is filled with double-entendres for the parents and slapstick for the kids. Performances are Friday, December 5th at 7pm, Saturday, December 6th at 2pm and 5pm, and Sunday, December 7th at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets are $5 and are available at the box office (434-392-3452) or by visiting the Waterworks website: waterworksplayers.org.