SYNOPSIS

Preface
Cinderella’s mother has passed away, and her Father has remarried a mean-spirited woman, whom with her two childish daughters, rules the house. Jealous of her sweet disposition and continual kindness, the Stepmother and Stepsisters treat Cinderella like a servant, demanding that she work constantly. Cinderella’s Father pities Cinderella’s terrible life, but is unable to stand up to his domineering new wife and step-daughters. 

Act I
On the morning of The Prince’s Ball, the day when he will choose his future bride, we find the Stepsisters at home darning a beautiful shawl. They quickly begin bickering selfishly over the garment, only to have their mother intervene by cutting the shawl in two. Cinderella, as usual, is cleaning the house; whenever she attempts to soothe her Stepsisters, they take delight in reminding her of her inferiority and vast amounts of unfinished housework.

In a moment of loneliness and isolation, Cinderella shares memories of her mother with her only friends, a few small mice. Her reveries are shattered by an interruption by her family. Suddenly an old Beggar Woman enters the house asking for a morsel to eat. The Stepmother and Stepsisters are revolted by the Beggar Woman, but Cinderella, in her sympathy, offers the old woman her only piece of bread.

In preparation for The Ball, the Stepmother has arranged visits from the Tailor and his Merchants as well as a lesson from the Dance Master. As the Stepsisters and Stepmother prepare to leave for The Ball, they taunt Cinderella, as she will not be attending.

Once again, Cinderella is alone and waltzes dreamily, thinking up her own dances and of meeting the Prince. Her mice friends return and share in her fantasy pretending to cloak her in fine linens and jewels. Cinderella’s joy is interrupted by the reappearance of the Beggar Woman who is, in fact, a Fairy. She has come to reward Cinderella for her kindness and transforms into her Fairy Godmother before Cinderella’s eyes. The Fairy Godmother introduces The Four Seasons which each present an element of Cinderella’s transformation: her dress, her crown, a pumpkin (which will become her carriage) and glass slippers.

Before sending Cinderella to the Ball in her horse-drawn carriage, the Godmother warns Cinderella that the effect of the magic charms will cease at midnight. If Cinderella does not leave the palace on time, she will instantly find herself dressed in dirty rags again.

Act II  

The Ball has begun; ladies and gentlemen have gathered in the Ballroom, eager to view the Prince’s future bride. The Stepsisters and Stepmother, awed by the beautiful Palace, are introduced to the Court by the Prince’s Jester. Amused by their utter lack of refinement, the Jester seeks to encourage their gauche behavior, providing a male courtier for each with whom to dance. He then goes a step further persuading each to dance alone. The Stepsisters parade garishly, a spectacle in outrageous dresses and obviously lacking in grace; only their mother is entranced.

The Prince’s entrance is accompanied by fanfare. Overcome by his striking good-looks, the Stepsisters fall all over themselves in an attempt to capture the Prince’s attention, only to be ignored.

A hush falls over the Ball Room due to the magical appearance of the Godmother and the Four Season fairies. They introduce an unknown Princess, the transformed Cinderella. The Prince is instantly enchanted by her beauty. Neither the Stepsisters nor the Stepmother recognize their dirty servant, Cinderella.

Drawn to Cinderella, the Prince follows her every step, spellbound. The Court delights in her lithe movements across the floor. Later in the evening, while the Courtiers indulge in refreshments, Cinderella finds her self alone in the ballroom with the Prince. She realizes that all her dreams have come true. Carried away with the excitement of the evening, Cinderella looses track of time, and is shocked when the clock strikes midnight. She flees the Palace, but not in time – her finery reverts to rags when the magic dissipates into the night.

In her haste, Cinderella loses one of her glass slippers. Clutching the slipper close to his heart, the Prince vows to search the world for the unknown Princess.

Act III

The Prince begins his quest by summoning all the cobblers of the kingdom in an attempt to find out who made the glass slipper. When no one can identify it, he decides that his Princess must have come from some distant land. With his Jester, the Prince sets off around the world to look for her.

The Prince first travels throughout Europe, stopping in Spain. When unsuccessful there, he travels on to the Far East, but finds no trace of his vanished princess. He returns to his homeland dejected, but determinedly continues his search.

Time passes; Cinderella awakens at home. Having returned to living in abject servitude, she shares her magical memories of the Prince and the Ball with her only friends, the Mice. When she hears her Stepsisters coming, she quickly hides the remaining glass slipper and shoos away the Mice, aware that her secret is safe with them.

The Stepsisters, still musing over the events of the Ball, begin quarreling, only to be halted by the sight of the Prince and his Jester approaching their home. They scramble to make themselves presentable as their royal guests enter.

Presented with the opportunity both Stepsisters try on the glass slipper. Finding their feet too large, the frantic Stepmother decides she will try on the slipper as well, only to be stopped by the Jester.

The Prince is frustrated with his search. Just as he readies himself to leave the house, the Mice appear and produce the matching slipper. They then present Cinderella to the Prince. As she sits to try on the slipper, the Prince is shocked by recognition: this “servant” is indeed his lost Princess.

Realization sets in that Cinderella will be the Prince’s new bride, and the Step family is devastated. Exhibiting her eternal kindness, Cinderella forgives them for all their previous cruelty. Her father and the Mice celebrate joyously.

The Godmother and the Four Season Fairies beckon Cinderella and her Prince into the Garden. Reunited, Cinderella and her Prince revel in their love knowing that dreams can come true.

A SPECIAL EVENT BEFORE EACH PRODUCTION