It’s that time of year again! Last season the Walnut’s young audiences had a blast seeing Miss Nelson Has a Field Day for our 2007 Kids’ Series. Now it’s time for a different type of ‘ball game’. Jump in your carriage and get your seats for Cinderella before the clock strikes midnight! This hilarious and inspirational musical by Alyn Cardarelli and Steve Goers adds a modern twist to a classic, fantastical fairytale that everyone can enjoy! Cinderella runs at 11:00 am on March 28th, April 3rd, 4th and 5th at 11:00am and at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday, March 29.

This Cinderella is not your usual damsel in distress. When her wicked stepmother forbids Cinderella from going to the Winter Snow Ball without beautiful shoes, this Cinderella’s weirdly-shaped feet don’t just stand around. With the help of a silver bird, a rat named Ratford, and a whole lot of music and fun, Cinderella is ready to turn things around! Will this hip heroine make it to the ball to find her prince? The Walnut presents a fresh retelling of Charles Perrault’s classic story that adds loads of fun and laughter to the rats, slippers and stepsisters you’ve grown up with. Join us to follow a new kind of Cinderella through the twists and turns of a fairytale revamped!

The Walnut Street Theatre For Kids series is celebrated for its commitment to encouraging parents (and grandparents) to read to their kids. Families can read together, and then discover a whole new level of imagination when they see the shows live onstage, written especially for grades K-6th and their ‘grown-up’ friends. The Walnut takes pride in bringing families together through reading and the arts.

Director Peter Reynolds makes his directorial debut at the Walnut with Cinderella. Peter is the Director of Musical Theater at Temple University and has worked with theatres nationwide, including Healthworks Theatre in Chicago, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Villanova Theatre. He is joined by Musical/Vocal Director Michael Borton, who has served as Musical Director for every major Walnut Street Theatre For Kids Production for the past two seasons, including Alexander…, A Christmas Carol and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Choreographer Samuel Reyes (recent Barrymore nominee for 11th Hour’s Bomb-itty of Errors) also returns The rest of the creative team includes newcomer Marie Anne Chiment (set design) and a team of returning artists including Shon Causer (Lighting Design) and the Walnut’s 2007 Christmas Carol costume design team of Bridget Brennan, Megan Diehl and Katie Rauch.

The cast features some excellent regional talents, including Kristen Burke (Cinderella), Adé Laoye (Godmother), Julian Miller (Ratford), Jeremy Sartin (Prince), Ryane Studivant (Grace) and Sean Thompson (Wesley) from Philadelphia; Jodie Lupo (Temperance), originally from Bucks County, PA and April Woodall (Stepmother) from Rydal, PA.

Cinderella is an ideal outing for every elementary classroom and family. With affordable tickets, this musical adventure is sure to score a touchdown with the entire family. The March 29th 1:00 pm performance is ASL interpreted. Group discounts are available for groups of fifteen or more. For tickets and information, call the Walnut St. Theatre’s box office at 215-574-3550 or visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster online or by calling 215-336-1234.