Bilingual Cinderella story coming to Playhouse

A dinner napkin becomes a hand puppet. Two desk lights have a conversation. An old shirt morphs into a magical ball gown.

When Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story arrives at the Wimberley Playhouse in mid-September, the iconic children’s fairytale becomes an adventure in imagination as performed by Glass Half Full Theatre.

Cenicienta premiered in Austin in 2015. A review by The Austin Chronicle called it “what children’s theater should be at its best…an imaginative tale that’s captivating for children and adults alike. The Production is rife with Spanish phrases, but not so many that non-speakers would find themselves confused.” At the Wimberley Playhouse, the title role will be played by Austin actress Madison Palomo.

The story finds Belinda, aka Cenicienta, a 10-year old Latina girl, in the basement folding napkins for a party to be hosted by her stepmother and stepsisters. The honoree will be a famous poet idolized by Belinda, a budding poet herself. Her chances of attending the party look slim until a certain godmother appears and she learns to stand up for herself and her family’s heritage.

The show will begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday Sept. 21. There is no charge for admission, but reservations are required.

“This kind of event is rewarding for everyone in our community, especially the children,” said Al Sander, a former president of the Wimberley Players. “We were overwhelmed by the positive response to the first bilingual children’s show we brought to our stage early this year.” He added that many in the audience, both Anglo and Latino, urged the Players to offer more events of cultural sharing.

Teresa Kendrick, a Players board member who lived for many years in Mexico, added, “Getting to know our neighbors and their backgrounds is important – and in the case of the children’s shows, lots of fun, too.” The Players current president, David Bisett, agreed. “The classic role of theatre is to tell stories. We’re now hearing voices many of us haven’t heard before.”

Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story was originally commissioned and presented by Nat Miller at Zach Theater and co-presented by Teatro Vivo in association with Glass Half Full Theatre. It was written by Caroline Reck and Rupert Reyes (Teatro Vivo), directed by Caroline Reck, and devised in collaboration with original actress Gricelda Silva of Glass Half Full Theatre. Amon Taylor composed the original music.

When asked the origin of Glass Half Full Theatre, Caroline Reck, artistic director and founder, said “In 2004, after I’d completed special theatre training in Paris, I became the caretaker of an old houseboat on the River Seine.” She converted the charming old boat into Cabaret Le Clochard (Hobo Cabaret)– and a new theatre was formed. “Several miles away from Central Texas, but it’s made the transition very well,” she added with a smile.

Reserve tickets at no charge: Wimberley Players Box Office, 512-847-0575.