Raleigh Hills – A Performance of "Cinderella and Her Evil Stepbrothers and Stepfather"

Last week, Raleigh Hills parents and grandparents gathered for a very special performance put on by teacher Vida and her group of budding young VHFLC thespians.

No one really knew what to expect as they sat down at assigned place mats (artfully designed by the actors), were served up a colorful assortment of healthy snacks, and then told that they were about to see a 'Cinderella' performance unlike anything else they had ever witnessed.

Students make sure their families are well fed before the performance

Vida began by summoning help from student Will to draw a mustache on her face, since she was going to be playing the part of the evil stepfather. Everyone hustled off stage as she launched into a short speech about how much she loves working with her students, and about how this special play was revised and revised again until the children had crafted it into their perfect masterpiece.

Elise is all smiles as she preps for her scene

Vida exited the scene while Elise, playing the part of Cinderella, came on to set the tone. In typical Cinderella fashion, Elise attempts to help her evil brothers (played by Will and Vincent) get ready for the ball while they chide her for being unsuited to such a glamorous scene.

"I suppose next you'll be wanting to go to the ball with us Cinderella?"

"Give me my shoes or I'll pull your hair!"                                                                                                                                                                                    "You try and touch my hair and I'll rip your clothes to pieces!"

The brothers leave her and then Cinderella's fairy godmother (Piper) appears, completing all of Cinderella's chores with the wave of a wand, transforming a rogue mouse into her coachmen and a pumpkin into her carriage. Before she departs, she hands Cinderella a magic cloak, which Cinderella puts on and takes off to reveal a gorgeous gown of gold and silver. A pair of high-tops (in lieu of slippers) is the final touch before Cinderella is sent on her way with the reminder to return back by midnight...

     "I've been watching that stepfather and those stepbrothers, and I don't like the way they treat Cinderella at all.           Things are going to change around here!"

Cinderella dazzles everyone at the ball with her beauty and sweet dance moves before hurrying back home to beat the clock. The next morning everyone is sitting around the breakfast table while she cleans in the background, listening to them discuss this mysterious girl and how rumor has it that the prince looked everywhere for her after she left the ball, but could only find one lone high-top... Just then a herald bangs on the door on behalf of the prince, requesting that everyone in the household try on the high-top...

The prince (played by Lukas) steps in behind the herald, and although Vida, the evil stepfather, tries to convince them that there is no one in the house besides himself and the stepbrothers, the prince commands that Cinderella be given her chance to try the shoe.

"Since Cinderella is a young lady, she must try on the slipper!"

Everyone gasps as it becomes apparent that the mystery girl is Cinderella! The fairy godmother re-enters and transforms Cinderella into the beautiful princess from the night prior. The prince announces his plans to marry her, and in Cinderella's glee and gratitude, she decides she wants her brothers to be happy and for both of them to have members of the court to marry as well. The prince grants her wish and the scene descends into party chaos as court members rush on stage chanting lyrics from Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off". A joyous scene indeed.

The...End.

Stella gives a grand ta-da!