(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, is presenting Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella over two weekends, July 26 through August 4, 2024. Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein first premiered on television in 1957 as a vehicle for Julie Andrews. It was later adapted for stage, as well as other televised versions. In 2013, the current adaptation – with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane – premiered on Broadway and was nominated for nine Tony Awards. This fresh new take on the classic story includes all the beloved tunes like Ten Minutes Ago and In My Own Littler Corner, but with a hilarious libretto, new characters, and surprising twists as Cinderella opens the Prince’s eyes to the injustice in his kingdom.

Before the stroke of midnight, share the magic of fairy godmothers and glass slippers with every generation of your family at this romantic fairytale musical. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella is directed by Louis Bernice, with Music Direction by Ryan McCann. The show is produced by Evan T. Charpentier and Dawn Toussas; with costumes by Nell White. Backstage crew includes OLT high school interns Hannah Carroll and Ettie Eggers.

Director Louis Bernice says “Cinderella is a story that has been told over and over. A children’s story of love at first sight and a girl getting a fairy tale ending. What I love about this version of Cinderella is that all of that happens but on Ella’s terms. Not by accident but because she takes control of her destiny with the help of her fairy godmother. Ella takes control, changes the world, and gets the guy at the end in this refreshing look at the classic story. The story is poignant and timely but also timeless.  The cast, crew, and creative team of Cinderella hope to create a magical experience for the audience. Give the young audience members the thrill of seeing a pumpkin become a golden carriage, but also what it means to stand up for what is right and fair.” 

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, features a cast of 22, led by Maria Summerville as (Cinder)Ella, Vivian Brock as her fairy godmother Marie, Anthony Finke as Prince Topher, and Joanne Guarnaccia as Ella’s stepmother Madame. Paul Foster plays Prince Topher’s “advisor” Sebastian, Nikki Simms and Aubrey Levinson are the step-sisters Charlotte and Gabrielle, Joshua Nieve-Silve is Jean-Michel, and Amanda Leslie is Lord Pinkleton. The cast includes Lisbeth Aquino, Melody Appel, Nova Boehm, Jan Eggers, Reilly Hacker, Jacki Herzog, Lauren Jeske, Veronica Papianni, Katie Perlas, Lisa Poggi, Wyn Pollock, Brandon Saldana, and Nell White.

Performances are held at the George Frey Center for Performing Arts in the Fair Lawn Community Center, located at 10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn. Tickets are $23 for Adults, and $20 for Seniors and Students with valid ID, and $15 for Children under 12. Tickets are available for purchase online.  Seating is assigned, rather than General Admission, so you will select your seats at time of purchase.  Old Library Theatre is committed to bringing quality entertainment at an affordable cost in Bergen County.

Here are more photos from the production.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.