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Monty Python meets Brothers Grimm in this New West theatre production

It’s described as “Monty Python meets Brothers Grimm,” and it’s coming to the stage at Douglas College.
theatre, stage, curtain, stock photo

It’s described as “Monty Python meets Brothers Grimm,” and it’s coming to the stage at Douglas College.

The college’s department of theatre and department of stagecraft and event technology are presenting Cinderella Waltz, a modern retake of the classic fairytale, from March 8 to 15.

It features the usual suspects - a female protagonist, two stepsisters, a wicked stepmother, a fairy godmother and even a village idiot named Zed – but digs deeper into the archetypal origins of Cinderella.

The play centers around Rosey Snow, an atypical fairytale heroine, flanked by her stepsisters Regan and Goneril, who live with their blended family on a farm just outside the village of Cinderville.

“As Cinderella, Rosey is struggling to choose what will actually lead to her own fulfilment and mature happiness,” said director Claire Fogal in a press release. “Zed’s influence means that this Cinderella can’t assume that the Prince is the best choice. None of the characters in Cinderella Waltz match their Disney counterparts, Rosey included.”

While it does blend elements of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and Snow White, playwright Don Nigro was also inspired by Shakespeare’s King Lear, which he refers to as the most powerful version of the Cinderella story. Elements of that tragedy are included in the grand comic style of Cinderella Waltz.

“Our production embraces a queer love story at the heart of the play; this is not your typical Cinderella with girl meets boy and falls in love,” Fogal said. “The play is also so goofy and joyous that families are welcome.”

Jiana Gonzales plays Rosey, with Aysia Ledoux as Regan, Ellen Wakely as Goneril, Ally Ray as Zed and Adam John Rajala as Prince Alf. The cast also includes Aidan Currie (Mr. Snow), Ian Duck (Troll), Khyla Granstrom (Mother Magee) and Dahlia-Raphael Kerr (Mrs. Snow).

Cinderella Waltz is onstage at the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets are $20 general admission, or $10 for students, seniors, matinees and Talkback Tuesdays. For tickets and showtimes, see cinderellawaltz.bpt.me.