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Dover Bay Secondary School drama program to stage ‘modernized’ telling of Cinderella

Bay Theatrix musical follows 2013 Broadway production, runs Dec. 7-10
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Dover Bay Secondary School student Lana Nepomuceno struggles to fit in the glass slipper during a rehearsal for the drama program’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella musical. (Submitted photo)

Dover Bay Secondary School will stage the largest musical production since the school’s current drama teacher took over four years ago.

The school’s Bay Theatrix will put on a contemporary production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella from Wednesday, Dec. 7, until Saturday, Dec. 10.

Alex Brennan, drama teacher, said the musical will be “a little different” from the original 1950s version, as it’s based on the 2013 Broadway production for a modern audience and includes new songs, changes to characters and the removal of others.

The character of Cinderella, for example, will go by ‘Ella,’ the Evil Stepmother as ‘Madame,’ and Prince Charming has been dubbed ‘Prince Topher.’ The addition of a new character, Brennan said, can be viewed as a political and social representation of the French Revolution during the 18th century.

“Jean-Michel represents this upheaval in looking at the social hierarchy and royalty and whether or not this is something that should continue,” he said. “This version of Cinderella has a lot more to say, socially. And gives Cinderella more to do – she isn’t relegated to just being somebody who wants to get married and meet a man. She’s actually involved in changing their small society through democratic reform.”

Bay Theatrix’s Cinderella will have 45 students working altogether through Grades 9-12, including backstage crew. Roughly half the students will be on stage, however, as it is the largest musical production Brennan said he’s done with the school to date.

“It is growing, which is pretty awesome. I’m optimistic about the future,” he said.

The performance will also allow for a full house. The drama teacher said that although his students are nervous to perform in front of so many people, they are very excited for the opportunity to do so as some of them have not yet had the chance.

He said one of his previous shows were not permitted an audience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that last year’s production was scaled back and only allowed students’ families to attend.

Bay Theatrix’s Cinderella will run Dec. 7-10, from 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at the door on show days, or from the school’s front office during office hours before opening night.

READ MORE: Dover Bay Secondary School drama program to stage ‘Addams Family’ musical


mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com

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Mandy Moraes

About the Author: Mandy Moraes

I joined Black Press Media in 2020 as a multimedia reporter for the Parksville Qualicum Beach News, and transferred to the News Bulletin in 2022
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