Mahwah High's Drama Club Puts New Twist On A Classic

The drama club is set to perform a unique version of a classic tale. Performances of ‘A Tale of Cinderella’ begin with a free senior citizen performance Wednesday afternoon, and continue through a matinee Sunday.

According to drama teacher and show director Jean Johnson, the high school’s performance of the show is, “not the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein, Disney version that everybody is used to.” The school’s performance includes different twists to the story, including a greater emphasis on the story of “Prince Charming,” a setting in Renaissance Italy, an evil stepmother who has a mystical spell over Cinderella’s father, and a Fairy Godfather, in addition to the traditional Godmother audiences are used to seeing.

“This show was first written in 1994, when there was a movement to bring back family-friendly theater,” Johnson explained. “So, it takes a traditional story but does it in a new way. There are a lot of songs, but they are short so it works well for an audience full of families.”

The setting of the show, Venice, Italy, has made for some interesting twists for the cast and crew to handle. There is a moving gondola in the middle of the set, a scene in which the whole cast wears student-made Venetian masks, and Italian language is woven into the dialogue.

Senior Chris Kolwicz, who plays the Fairy Godfather, says the cast and crew have been adapting to the changes in the storyline well. “For me, people have no expectations of what the Fairy Godfather is, so getting to invent his character and incorporate him into the classic story has been awesome.”

Kolwicz, who has performed in MHS productions throughout his high school career, also said the huge colorful sets, costumes and scenery “make the show. We really owe a lot to the crew, without them we’d be sunk.”

The cast is also collaborating with a Ramapo College lighting design major on the lighting for the show. Ramapo sophomore Melissa Calvo said she is enjoying the opportunity to work on shows off campus. “I am working with the high school students to implement my vision for the show, and I think we will come up with something that really adds to the performance,” she said.

“All around, the kids have put in a lot of work, and I think it’s going to be a great show,” Johnson said.

Sam Waxenbaum, the MHS senior drama club alum who plays Nicolo, a.k.a Prince Charming, said he feels this show will be a good one for members of the community to come watch. “It’s the type of story that everyone knows, but that’s exactly why everyone should come. Adults will be pleasantly surprised, because it’s not exactly what you’re expecting. And for kids, it’s still Cinderella.”

For younger theatergoers, the 45-member cast is putting on a special prince and princess “Children's Gala Matinee” performance Saturday, where kids can dress up, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and have a tea party to accompany the show. “It’s really a great way to introduce kids to theater,” Johnson said. Get more .

A special Thursday night performance at 7 p.m. is half price for students and free for Mahwah teachers. All other performances –Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. – are $12 for students and $15 for adults. Get all of the details about tickets to the show .