Written by Don Nigro
Directed by Jennifer Parris
Performance dates: January 6 - 21, 2012
Running time: Approx. 2 hours

This flippant telling of the classic fairy tale begins conventionally enough but soon veers off into the thoughts and explorations of a playwright who has read too much Shakespeare and Freud! King Lear and Beauty and the Beast are there for the taking and while being enormously amused and entertained, audiences may find themselves pondering all the sociological implications of the choice that our heroine finally makes when the slipper is in her hand. At least that’s what the author hopes! But if you’re not in the mood for philosophy, come just for the laughs. Cinderella Waltz provides them in loopy abundance.

NOTICE: Cinderella Waltz contains adult themes and language and is not suitable for children.

About the Playwright

Don Nigro is among the most frequently published and widely produced playwrights in the world. He has written more than 300 plays, including 135 published by Samuel French, a major New York publishing house. Nigro is nothing if not versatile. He has written epics, homicidal puppet farces, monologues, realistic dramas and plays with music. One of his plays, Ravenscroft, was adapted for a movie starring Peter O’Toole. Nigro’s work has been produced frequently in off-Broadway theaters as well as festivals and regional theaters throughout the United States. His plays have been translated into eight languages, including Chinese and Russian.

About the Director

I began my journey with Colonial Players 10 long years ago. I started as a rehearsal assistant (Dearly Departed – 2001) and slowly clawed my way up to the lofty height of lighting tech (To Gillian – 2001, Hay Fever – 2003). Then, one day a director looked at me and asked me if I could do lights. “Do lights?” I said. “You mean design them?” And thus began the next phase of my career here. I designed lights for A Shayna Maidel (2003), then took a few years off. In 2006 I volunteered to direct a one-act play in CP’s summer short play festival. It was called Bridal Terrorism. I was hooked. I traveled to Greenbelt to design lights for Wyrd Sisters with Alchemy Theatre (2008), but I longed to direct again. The opportunity presented itself in the summer of 2010 when I was handed the script for a one-act play called The American Century. Since then I’ve designed lights for The Diviners (2011) and assisted the lighting designer on Company. Now it’s my turn to put a full length show on this stage, the stage where so much of my blood, sweat and tears have been left for the enjoyment of the public. This show is dedicated to a multitude of people. First, to my parents, who always saw theater as a positive outlet and are always there to support me. Second, to my family here at CP. To those who encouraged me and gave me a chance to prove myself, I am very grateful. Third, to you the audience. Without you, this theater where I have found a second home doesn’t exist. And finally, and absolutely not least, to Q, who has been all the things I’ve needed: a perceptive sounding board, a compassionate heart, an encouraging voice, a strong push and a loving partner. Thank you. Thank you for everything. Jennifer Parris

Director's Notes

"Sometimes when you dream, your dream comes true." This line from our previous show, Little Women, pretty much sums up my experience with Cinderella Waltz. I fell in love with this show when I was in college. I read it, and I knew right then that I wanted to direct it. At that point, directing wasn't really something I had thought about before. I held on to that script for a long time. I even designed a set for Colonial's stage, because I could see in my head how great it would work in our space. Last year, I submitted Cinderella Waltz to the Play Selection Committee for consideration. Fate worked its magic, and lo and behold, there it was, this show, my show on the slate! On the schedule, tucked neatly between Christmas and Valentine's Day. I immediately applied to direct it. The director's Interview was nerve wracking. The wait to hear back from the Director Selection Committee was excruciating. But finally, finally after what felt like months, it was handed to me on a shiny silver platter! I assembled a fantastic team to help me, and we started early. Crazy early, I'm sure some of them were thinking, but I just couldn't contain my enthusiasm! Auditions rolled around, and we were blessed with a plethora of talent to choose from! And this cast, let me just say, they are so amazing. They have worked so hard and done everything I've asked of them. The design team has been so accommodating. Everyone working on this show has truly made it a dream come true. My dream. I just hope that you all enjoy watching it as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to life for you.

The Cast

Dann Alagna (Zed) - Dann is making his second appearance in the round in Cinderella Waltz, having played in last year’s Earth and Sky at CP. More recently, he was seen in Bowie Community Theatre's Language of Angels with his beautiful wife of 14 years, Sam, and some other people. Dann has been a professional volunteer actor for over two decades and has acted alongside many, many unknowns in countless roles. Dann and Sam have also created and performed in several Improve troupes over the years, and they look forward to the local debut of Free Range Improv, coming soon to Annapolis. Dann enjoys both living and working in Annapolis and can say after just a year in the area that he's found home. He loves the theater and, as always, thanks Nana Anna for saying, "I always enjoyed your plays."

Sam Alagna (Regan Snow) - Sam is excited to make her first appearance on the Colonial Players stage. Since the relocation of her family from Florida, Sam had the opportunity to serve as assistant director for last year's production of Earth and Sky and recently appeared in The Language of Angels at Bowie Community Theatre. Sam has been performing in community theater productions for over 25 years and is pleased to once again have the opportunity to share a stage with her amazing, talented husband, Dann. Together, they look forward to continuing to integrate themselves into the tremendously talented Annapolis-area theater community.

Thomas H. Beheler (Troll) - Thomas is so happy to be making his Colonial Players debut in Cinderella Waltz. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park and is double majoring in theater and linguistics. Favorite roles include Scapino (Scapino), George (Stop Kiss), and Algernon (The Importance of Being Earnest). Thomas also enjoys acting in short films and the All Puns Intended improv troupe at Anne Arundel Community College. Thomas wants to thank Jennifer Parris for giving him this opportunity and his family and friends for all their support. Enjoy the show!

Monica Garcia (Mother Magee) - Monica is delighted to return for her sixth show with Colonial Players. She was most recently seen last season as Kathy in Company. Favorite shows include: On the Town (Claire DeLoone), Annie (Lily St. Regis), Women of Manhattan (Rhonda Louise) and Mrs. California (Mrs. San Bernardino). By day she is a teacher at Montessori International Children’s House. Thank you to a hilarious cast and wonderful crew. Much love to her husband, Matt.

Kathryn Huston (Mrs. Snow) - Kathryn is performing on the Colonial Players stage for the third time in Cinderella Waltz. She appeared in Mrs. Calfornia and Dog Logic two years ago. Most recently, she was seen in the Dignity Players production of Sordid Lives. She also provided props for the 2006 CP production of Splendour. Kathryn has enjoyed many acting workshops at Colonial Players over the years. She is delighted to be working with Jennifer and the cast and crew for Cinderella Waltz. Fun times! “I would like to thank my husband, Ken, for his love and support.”

Olga Petrovic (Goneril) - Cinderella Waltz is Olga’s first show at Colonial Players and first in the United States. She performed at Cabaret 13 and Theater Left in her native Serbia and appeared in a short movie at the Center for Visual Communications. Olga came to the U.S. 4 1/2 years ago to study English and is a few courses away from earning a BA in business management. In Serbia, she studied music and art and attended a sports college, where she learned martial arts. She is fluent in English, Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian and has a reading knowledge of Spanish and Russian.

Pat Reynolds (Prince Alf) - Pat is the co-creator and author of CP's blog, OFFBOOK, on thecolonialplayers.org website. Pat most recently starred as the critically acclaimed Adam Sorenson in the shape of things, as well as Paul Gauguin in Inventing Van Gogh. A few highlights of his many CP productions include: Earth and Sky playing David Ames, Private Lives as Elyot Chase, The Lion In Winter portraying Richard The Lionhearted, Dexter in The Philadelphia Story and Bruno Richard Hauptmann in Hauptmann, for which he won the 2008 WATCH award for Outstanding Lead Actor. He was nominated for Outstanding Featured Actor for his role in Earth and Sky at the 2011 WATCH awards. Pat also spent five years at Medieval Times as a Knight and MC. "Fairy Tales are empty, soulless lies sold to children. The only thing more evil than a fairy tale is Mickey Mouse." - Charles Bukowski.

Tim Sayles (Delbert Snow) - Tim is thrilled to be back on stage at Colonial Players and working with such a talented cast and crew. His most recent theater role was that of Wardell "Bubba" Owens in the October 2011 production of Sordid Lives at Dignity Players of Annapolis. Prior to that he played Sgt. Froggy LeSeuer in the 2nd Star’s production of The Foreigner in Bowie. And in his last stint with Colonial Players in 2010, he played Chicago tough guy Julius Gatz in CP's award-winning 2010 production of the murder mystery Earth and Sky. Other stage roles have included Secretary Charles Thomson in the musical 1776 and Thomas Cromwell in A Man for All Seasons. As a veteran barbershop and doo-wop quartet singer, he has also (naturally) been in The Music Man (as Ewart Dunlop). Tim's day job keeps him busy as editor in chief of Chesapeake Bay Magazine. He has three grown children and two grandchildren and lives in Annapolis with his cats, Emily and Frances.

Liza Warder (Rosey Snow) - Liza has her MFA from West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance, and a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. This is her first show with Colonial Players. Past favorite roles with Actors Shakespeare Company include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers, Silvia in Two Gentlemen of Verona. At WVU she played Regina Hubbard in Another Part of the Forest, Valerie in The Weir, Roberta in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, and she created and performed her own one-woman show possibilities Being... . She is thrilled to be performing on the Colonial Players stage and wants to thank the cast and crew for this great experience, her husband Matt for his love and support and our adorable rabbits, Azlan and Jaques.

 

The Production Staff

Rebecca Feibel (Stage Manager) -- Rebecca enjoys a double life as a stay-at-home mom for two young boys and a performer, teacher, director and more in the performing arts. Recent roles include Matron Wick in The Christmas Doll, Ensemble in She Loves Me, Fred's Wife/Ensemble in A Christmas Carol (all at Colonial Players) and Sonia in Godspell at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre. She is excited to be stage managing for Cinderella Waltz. Thanks to everyone for their continual support for me in pursuing my passion for theater.

Rich Koster (Lighting Design) -- Rich would be nothing if not for his beautiful and talented wife, Mary. She is the reason he gets up in the morning (to cook her breakfast).

Mary Koster (Sound Design) -- Like most of her theater friends, Mary has worked on stage, backstage and everywhere in between with a number of area community theaters. Last seen on stage in Prince George’s Little Theatre’s Born Yesterday in September, Mary is excited to be learning the ins and outs of sound design with veteran designer Wes Bedsworth. By day, Mary is an executive assistant at a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization in Silver Spring, MD.

Heather Quinn (Producer) -- Heather has worked on numerous theater projects in the DC- Annapolis area both on stage and behind the scenes. As producer (once again), she has renewed appreciation for the many dedicated volunteers who work their magic behind the scenes to bring a show to the stage. It truly takes a community to raise a show. Special thanks to those who will be spending (or will have spent) some of their “happy holidays” creating a fractured fairy tale.

Charlotte Robinson (Properties) -- Charlotte has worked behind the scenes with Colonial Players for 25 plus years, most recently as props mistress for the shape of things and stage crew for the 2010 production of A Christmas Carol. In addition to serving on several committees, she helps keep track of the hundreds of props that CP maintains – a most daunting task. On occasion she branched out and worked with Dignity Players (Sordid Lives), Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre (Evita) and Chesapeake Arts Center (Amelia’s Journey). Charlotte thanks all the patrons who make our hard work worthwhile, her CP mentors and the love of her life, Jim, who introduced her to CP.

Beth Terranova (Costume Design) - Most recently acknowledged for designing a delightful spectrum of costumes for Colonial Players’ Lettice and Lovage and for her kitschy 80’s costumes for Bay Theatre’s Beyond Therapy, Beth takes on the quirky costume challenges of Cinderella Waltz. Prior to this, Beth received critical acclaim for her costume design for CP’s production of The Diviners and for costume design and construction for CP’s 2010 production of A Lion In Winter. Beth’s talents in costume design were also seen on the Players’ stage in the musical She Loves Me (which she also directed), the WATCH Award-winner Hauptmann (which Beth directed and set-designed), The Philadelphia Story and Moon Over Buffalo. Other costume design credits from years of theater in Florida include Gypsy, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Call Me Madam. Beth devotes her time and talent on stage and behind the scenes to several theaters in the Annapolis area. In addition to costume designer, she is an award- winning director and award-nominated actor, and has taken on duties as stage manager, set designer, One Act Festival producer, play consultant and production consultant. She has just rejoined the Colonial Players Board of Directors as production director – her fourth position and sixth year on the board. In addition, she produces the News and Cues Newsletter and serves as a CP costume consultant/wardrobe curator, Bylaws Committee member and CP WATCH judge. Amazingly, she also manages to keep her day job as a program analyst for the Navy’s Enterprise Resource Planning Program in Annapolis.