Cast and crew are buzzing with activity as they prepare for the opening night of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic musical “Cinderella” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, which will be the first full-scale production staged in the new Performing Arts Center at Becker High School.

 

The production has required all involved to adapt to a variety of new things during the rehearsal process.  For example, the new and very deep orchestra pit is marked off by yellow construction tape held at waist level by stanchions, just to prevent unwary cast and crew members from taking an unexpected off-stage detour while moving props or practicing their footwork.

 

Set designer Rich Kimmerle has had the added responsibility of teaching the production crew the ins and outs of the new “fly” system, which incorporates a series of weighted ropes and pulleys on the side of the stage to allow the production to fly in set pieces and backdrops.

 

Director Joe Rand was enjoying the sense of excitement at rehearsals this week, noting that his Cinderella (Megan Graftaas) had lost her voice on Monday, but that she had “more than a week” to get it back into shape before opening night, so no worries.

 

As that was going on, music director Renee Fletcher labored in the deep dungeon-level orchestra pit, enjoying the amazing acoustics that highlighted the music the piano and a few members of the pit orchestra were producing during rehearsals.

 

Just to add to the excitement engendered by royal balls, palace intrigues, magical fairy godmothers changing pumpkins into carriages and that famous glass slipper, a Royal Princess Tea Party will take place on Sat., Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Royal Castle, which is located in the North Commons area, (enter Door 11).

 

The Royal Chef will prepare delicacies, and there will be arts and crafts, games and musical entertainments.  Attending princesses are asked to wear their “prettiest princess outfits”, as they will be mingling with the princesses and ladies from the Cinderella cast in a royal morning of celebration at the castle.

 

There is a limit of 60 princesses for the event, and a fee of $15 per princess (or $25 if they wish to bring along an adult to join the celebration).  Register on-line at the Becker School Dist. homepage under the Community Ed. tab, by phone at (763)261-4506 or via mail at Becker Community Education, 12000 Hancock St., Becker, MN 55308. 

 

A genuine horse and royal carriage will be on the campus on Sunday, Dec. 7 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in advance of the matinee performance that closes the run of the show.

 

Carriage rides will be available during that time at a cost of $5.

 

Performances of Cinderella in the BHS Performing Arts Center will be at 7:30 p.m. each evening from Thurs., Dec. 4 through Sat., Dec. 6, with a closing matinee at 2 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 7.  Ticket prices are $11 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.  Tickets and seating selections are available on-line on the Becker High School homepage this year, and any remaining tickets for each performance will be sold at the door one half-hour before curtain time.