Character/Set Breakdown
Note- this show was originally written to be performed by two women with puppets. It could also easily be performed by a cast of 6 or 7, depending on what you choose to do with the Fairy Godmother.
Cinderella- Soprano. Strong and immensely capable. She has adapted to her life of servitude by metaphorically sleeping through it. When news of the ball comes, she wakes up because she finally wants something. To dance.
Stepmother- Alto. A tall, gaunt, frightening-looking woman. She is the epitome of the surface human. She is given to temper, but can be persuasive to get what she wants. She rationalizes her neglect of Cinderella by thinking that it is a choice between her daughters and Cinderella. She has no coping skills other than manipulation.
Sondrine- Soprano. Older sister. Thin as a rail, trying to emulate her mother. Which she does to the point that she is insolent and willful. She has a very dry personality. She shows contemptuous disdain for anything, but will not use any energy to do it.
Clarice- Alto. A sphere in a corset. She crashes about like a rhinoceros and nothing is ever her fault.
Ellen- Mezzo-soprano. The fairy godmother. Lovely and energetic with an enthusiasm that borders on the ridiculous, she is easily deflated to near-panic when she is confused. She is summoned by Cinderella's tears. Although all the characters were originally played by puppets, she is the one I think might like to stay one. This would also reduce the cast size to six.
Prince- Tenor. An earnest young man looking for an equal. He wants someone to meet him and truly try to get to know him, rather than just see him as the Prince. He therefore hits upon the idea to have the ball be masked.
Doorman- Non-singing role. Familiar and close enough to the Prince to point out his inconsistencies. Cares for the Prince very much. Has perfected the art of responding to difficult people with a statement that doesn't sound insulting, but is.
Settings
The show is set in France of the mid-eighteen hundreds. There is a contrast in the show between the huge extravagance of the Napoleonic Era, as presented by the Step Family, and the upcoming Empire cut, as represented in the dress Cinderella will wear to the gown.
Cinderella's Home- a view of the kitchen, the dining room, and the girls' dressing room. Has a cellar door in the floor of the kitchen. Could be a closet.
Cinderella's House Exterior- a view of the garden and trees.
The Palace- view of the entry-way and a portion of the ball room.
Copyright 1998, Mark LaPierre