Lander University - Cinderella

University Relations > News > News 2008 > October

Office of University Relations and Publications

In the world of fancy footwear the name Manolo Blahnik often surfaces, but as for the designer of one famous and magical glass slipper, that’s a different story. Just the mention of this delicately glistening fashion accessory brings to mind a certain magical fairy tale that has lightened hearts and inspired minds for generations, but we don’t know who designed the slipper.

An upcoming Town and Gown collaboration between Lander University and the Greenwood Community Theatre will bring the tale of that slipper to life with a presentation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Cinderella,” Oct. 16-18.

“When I was offered the opportunity to direct and choreograph ‘Cinderella’ I was thrilled,” Bess Park, GCT director and Lander adjunct instructor of dance, writes in her director’s notes for the upcoming performance. “Greenwood Community Theatre and Lander University have joined forces to bring you an outstanding rendition of this classic story. The wonderful support from Lander president Dan Ball and my Board of Directors at Greenwood Community Theatre really has set this project up to be fantastic.”

The production marks an elaborate effort by Lander and GCT to bring a full-scale musical to the Greenwood area and to the Lander stage. From the musicians in the orchestra pit, to the actors and those working backstage, the event is being made possible by Lander students, faculty and staff and area community members.

“I have been most impressed with the quality of singing,” said Dr. Lila Noonkester, production vocal coach and Lander associate professor of music. “Since the Cinderella story employs both younger and older singer/actors, my usual job of teaching college-age singers has been expanded to include high schoolers and adults for this production. Not only will audiences delight in the sheer beauty and lyricism of the voices of leads Julie Dean and Brandon Williams, but also in the colorful characterizations of the stepsisters and stepmother, as portrayed by Kerri Alewine, Tanisha Tolliver, and Margaret Funke.”

Williams is a Lander Freshman from Summerville. Alewine of Rock Hill and Tolliver of Greer are both Lander students majoring in Music.

Aside from singing the production features a wide range of arts talent from across Lander’s curriculum. The instrumental music will be provided by an orchestra complete with string, wind and percussion instruments and directed by Dr. Reed Gallo, Lander assistant professor of music. Voice instruction is also being provided by Dr. Paul Criswell, chair of Lander’s Department of Music.

“This production is a wonderful learning opportunity for Lander students,” said Alan MacTaggart, dean of Lander’s College of Arts and Humanities. “Our students will be interspersed with talented adults in the fields of theatre, music and dance, and several students will have the opportunity to stretch their talents across these areas of performance. In the long run, our graduates who take part in such productions will develop a foundation to do musical theatre beyond Lander.”

MacTaggart also explained the origins of the upcoming performance of “Cinderella.” He said the idea came from Lander president Dr. Daniel Ball, who suggested that a musical would be very popular with the surrounding community and would be of great benefit to Lander students both performing in and attending the performance.

In Lander University’s Cultural Center Auditorium performers, from left, Tanisha Tolliver, Margaret Funke and Kerri Alewine, rehearse for their roles as stepmother and stepsisters in the upcoming Greenwood Community Theatre and Lander collaborative performance of “Cinderella,” Oct 16-18.

In the past Lander has offered such musicals as “Sweet Charity,” “South Pacific,” “My Fair Lady” and “Oklahoma.” Though, MacTaggart said, it has been over 10 years since Lander has staged such a production.

While the cost and strain of “Cinderella” was offset by the collaboration with GCT, MacTaggart said the production has required a tremendous investment on the part of the university – an investment he hopes the community will enjoy and support so that an annual musical at Lander can, again, become a tradition.

MacTaggart had this simple message for the community, “If you really want to see more musicals of this scale at Lander, please come out and support the ‘Cinderella’ production.”

Profits from “Cinderella” will be split between GCT and the Lander Fine Arts Scholarship.

The play will debut Thursday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. in Lander’s Cultural Center Auditorium. Additional performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available through GCT and cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, military and Lander faculty and staff (with ID), $10 for students (with ID) and $10 for children 11 and under. Seating is general admission.

For information contact the Greenwood Community Theatre at 864-229-5704 or Lander Fine Arts box office at 864-388-8800. Information about other upcoming Lander arts events is available on the university's Web site, www.lander.edu, then click on Calendars.