Utilizing themes from the Grimm and Perrault versions of the fairytale, Cinderella had its world premiere in December 2012 with the Dutch National Ballet. The San Francisco Ballet performed the American premiere in May 2013.
Wheeldon (Sweet Smell of Success) and Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, Prelude to a Kiss) are also collaborating on the new Broadway-bound stage musical adaptation of An American In Paris, which will premiere in Paris in 2014 prior to a spring 2015 Broadway arrival. Read about the project here.
Presented Oct. 23-27, Cinderella features music by Prokofiev, sets and costumes by Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter) and puppetry by Basil Twist (Arias With a Twist, The Addams Family).
Here's how it's billed: "In this Cinderella there is no fairy godmother, pumpkin coach, or clock striking midnight. Rather, Wheeldon provides us with a magical tale of another sort-one that is stunningly visual and deeply moving. Wheeldon gives depth to the story's characters by portraying Cinderella as more in charge of her destiny than she is traditionally depicted, and the prince plays a bigger role than in other productions. We see both characters as young children and glimpse Cinderella's life before her mother dies. And, in this adaption, Cinderella plants a hazel branch on her mother's grave. Watered by Cinderella's tears, the branch grown into an enormous magical, dancing tree, that along with four spirits, watches over Cinderella and grants all her wishes."
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