Published: May 01, 2006 09:47 am      

‘Cinderella’ allows DLO women to shine

Play serves as personality showpiece

DANVILLE — Cinderella’s a brunette, and the wicked stepmother and stepsisters aren’t ugly in Danville Light Opera’s spring show, “Cinderella,” which runs for two performances this weekend.

And the four women who play these parts get along very well, at least offstage. All know and love the many versions of the musical, and these experienced actresses remain true to the classic characters they portray.

Cindy Nichols, cast in the title role, remembered being teased about her name when she was a child.

“The other kids used to call me ‘Cindyrella’ back in grade school,” the Danville Area Community College student said. “So many kids grew up on the Disney version of the show, including me.

“Playing this part is a dream of everyone’s,” said Nichols, daughter of Commercial-News Publisher Carol and Alderman Steve Nichols. “But it’s a little intimidating for me. It’s my first big role where I’m onstage by myself so much.”

Nichols doesn’t lack experience.

A former Danville High School show choir member, she’s appeared with DLO since she was 10.

“I played ‘Woman with cake #1’ in ‘Charlotte’s Web,’” she remembered.

“At least you had a name,” Lisa Richter, cast as stepsister Portia, said. “The first time I was in a show, I was just ‘A townsperson.’”

That debut, in Red Mask’s children’s theater’s “Tom Sawyer,” began Richter’s years of involvement with community theater.

Things have changed since those humble beginnings.

Sissy in Red Mask Players’ “Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” was her most recent role, and she also starred as the new bride in the group’s “Barefoot in the Park” last season.

“The stepsisters have a much bigger role in this show than in the other versions,” Richter said. “We’re the comic relief.”

She described her character as “really stupid. You could say she’s dumb as a post.

“I sing in this show, which I don’t usually do onstage,” she said. “But we mostly sing together, and I don’t have to sing beautifully.”

Amanda Allhands plays stepsister Joy, who she described as “joyless. I’m really pretty mean in this show.”

Allhands made her stage debut about 10 years ago as the lead in Red Mask’s “The Velveteen Rabbit.” The Blue Cross employee recently appeared in DLO’s “Working,” and said she had to change her singing style for this show.

“I threw everything I was taught out the window for this part,” she said. “I sing in this nasally voice, which works with the character.”

All three women studied voice with the same teacher, Larry Voorhees, former choral director at DHS.

Belinda Smith, South View Middle School’s choral director and DLO veteran, plays Cinderella’s stepmother.

“This is a totally different role than I’ve ever played before,” said the wife of Commercial-News Editor Larry Smith. “Usually, I’m cast as someone’s wife or a forlorn lover. It’s hard for me to be mean. I have so many lines that are hurtful in this show.

“But the director (Sharon Girard) helped me find my motivation. She said the stepmother is envious of Cinderella, and that’s what makes her so mean.”

Several other veteran performers appear in “Cinderella,” but Smith said there are many newcomers in the large cast, too.



FYI

Danville Light Opera will perform Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Danville High School auditorium. Sunday will be family day, with children who dress in a prince or princess costume receiving a prize. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students up to age 18. Call the DLO box office at 431-1660 to reserve tickets. The box office, located in the Village Mall, will be open from 7-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Tickets also can be purchased at First Savings Bank in Danville.