Magic, Music & A Princess Parade: Community Theater's 'Cinderella' Opens Friday

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Dust off your glass slippers and hop in your pumpkin carriage, because the Eagan Community Theatre’s production of Cinderella opens this weekend at the  auditorium.

“It’s a timeless story,” said director Denny Swanson.

The cast will perform the original Rogers and Hammerstein musical version of the classic fairytale. This is the first time Cinderella has been performed in Eagan or anywhere in Independent School District 196.

Swanson described the musical as comedic, fast-paced and magical.

“It really has a storybook feel to it,” said Mike Leach, who plays Prince Charming and has been involved with previous Eagan Community Theatre productions.

The show will be performed by a cast of 48 local actors that includes students from each of the four major high schools in District 196, including Apple Valley, Eastview and Rosemount. More than 130 community members auditioned for the production.

“I’ve never played a princess before,” said recent Iowa State University graduate Jacqueline Evans, who was involved in theater in college and who plays the show’s titular character. “It’s a challenge to play somebody so iconic as Cinderella.”

The production’s run time is relatively short for a musical—slightly under two hours. According to Swanson, it is also a very family-friendly show.

Prior to each performance, the theater will organize a “princess parade.” Young girls are invited to attend the musical dressed in full princess regalia and show off their royal style onstage before the performance.

Cinderella opens Friday.

The show will run through July 28 and will include both evening and matinee performances. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children younger than 12. For details about performances or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at 651-683-6964 or visit the Eagan Community Theatre website.