Sterling Heights

Sterling Civic Theatre makes magic with ‘Cinderella: Enchanted Edition’

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

The plot of “Cinderella,” Larry O’Grady jokes, is about as far from politically correct as one can get these days: A beleaguered girl dreaming of a handsome prince to whisk her away from her sad circumstances.

“What’s not to know about the absolute worst female role model in the world?” quipped O’Grady, co-founder and owner of Sterling Civic Theatre.

Kidding aside, O’Grady says Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella: Enchanted Edition,” which SCT will perform July 13-15 and July 20-22, “takes you back to an ageless classic. It takes you back to a time when you could get away with stuff like that.”

From fairy godmothers to magical slippers to human-like animals, the musical packs plenty of paranormal activity between curtain time and curtain call. But it seemed something supernatural was in the air even before SCT began working on the show.

Whitney Houston, who co-starred in a 1997 film version of “Enchanted Edition,” owned the license for the musical, and “the day she passed away was the day we actually got permission from the licensing company,” said O’Grady. “I was like, ‘Ooh, that’s kind of creepy.’”

Other “magic” in the show includes impressive special effects surrounding Cinderella’s transformation from downtrodden housemaid to stunning princess, he said.

“It’s going to be really cool,” agreed Megan Haddad, of Auburn Hills, who plays Cinderella. “We’re going to do something really neat for how she transforms from the raggedy dress to the ball gown. People are going to be really surprised when they see how good it looks.”

As it starts its official third season, SCT is welcoming a new director, Tina Golding. Jeff Hinkle and Jennifer Cummings are serving as the music director and choreographer, respectively.

The show stars Haddad, Keith Zachow as Prince Charming and Gloria Aduth as the Fairy Godmother, but there’s a supporting cast of just over 200, said O’Grady.

That includes a large contingent of children playing cats and mice, said Zachow, who noted that though major characters were in short supply, everyone who auditions gets a part, so many roles were added to ensure everyone could participate in some way — a component of SCT that Zachow said he appreciates.

While SCT’s last musical, “Legally Blonde,” was geared toward more of a teen and adult crowd, “Cinderella” is “a family-friendly show in every sense of the word,” said O’Grady. “This is as G as G-rating can get.”

“It’s a cute show,” agreed Zachow. “I think it’ll appeal to all ages. So many people grew up loving ‘Cinderella,’ and they know how it goes, and it’s easy to follow.”

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. July 13, 14, 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. July 15 and 22 at Henry Ford II High School, 11911 Clinton River Road in Sterling Heights.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 at the box office on the day of the performance. Patrons can purchase tickets and select seats online for a nominal handling fee at www.showtix4u.com.

For more information, call (586) 264-5571 or visit www.sterlingcivic.org. For group sales, call the number above.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.