Leslie Jackson and Tatyana Lubov in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(photo by Carol Rosegg)
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love: the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball as well as some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover the beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience.
The Company of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(photo by Carol Rosegg)
Joining the production for this tour is Caity Skalski (top left in picture above), a recent graduate from North Carolina’s own Elon University. I caught up with Caity last week to ask here what it was like to be a part of the production of this classic tale.
Caity Skalski
Caity is a native of Pittsburgh but came to North Carolina to attend Elon University’s Music Theater Program. She landed a part in the Cinderella Production through a Capstone Project at the University that brings casting directors to campus. This is her first professional stage gig but she always knew she wanted to be in theater. “I knew at and early age that I loved to sing” explains Caity. “When I was just 5 or 6 years old I loved to sing songs to entertain my grandfather and family.”
Caity serves the production in several ways. In the show she is both a puppeteer for the woodland creatures (playing the fox) and is part of the female ensemble. She is also an understudy for the roles Gabrielle and Charlotte. “One of my favorite parts of the show is seeing the little girls in Cinderella dresses and getting to sing to them” she said.
Caity Recently had the chance to sit in the audience and take in the full show (something the cast takes turns doing on the road). Taking it in start to finish was an emotional process. “It made me cry…it was so beautiful”. “This show is the classic tale that if you have a dream and the desire that anything is possible,” she said.
Speaking of dreams I asked Caity if she had any advice for those trying to break into theater. “It’s important to remain true to who you are. At this level everyone around you is talented and very good at what they do. What the casting directors are looking for is that glimpse of you, what you bring to the stage. Be true to that and let them see you through the part” she said. Sound advice from this recent Elon grad who is well on her way to achieving her dreams.
CINDERELLA opens at DPAC on December 30 and runs through January 1. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/rodger-hammersteins-cinderella
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