DIRECTOR Frank J. Ballesteros had such a good turnout at his last auditions for the classic “Cinderella” that he decided to produce two versions — one with a young children’s cast, another with a teenage cast.
“We had a great turnout, and I didn’t want to turn people away, and I thought it would be fun for the younger kids to finish and then come back and see the older ones do the same parts,” he said. “It’s really, really neat to watch and it’s an advantage to the older kids because they are rehearsing with all the scenery and the props during their tech rehearsal.”
The teenage version of the show opened Thursday and continues this weekend at at the Virginia J. Calisesi Studio Theatre.
Heading the cast of 11 is newcomer Amy Lautz, 17. A Wisconsin native, Lautz previously performed in high school productions and recently auditioned to study at New York University.
“She’s doing a wonderful job and the chemistry between her and the prince is great,” the director said of Lautz.
Playing the prince is longtime troupe member Taylor Valerga, 17, of Antioch. Others include Carissa Rechnitz of Discovery Bay and Katelen Roberts, 15, of Antioch as the stepsisters, and Colleen Ford, 15, of Oakley as the stepmother.
And, while Ballesteros said he loves teaching the younger children, it’s a treat to work with the older ones who already know the rules and etiquette of the stage.
“It’s almost like they know what I’m thinking,” he said.
After three decades of teaching children’s theater, Ballesteros said his next step is to use an adult cast to perform children’s plays.
“It’s something that I’d like to do very soon,” he said. “I want to give someone in their 20s and 30s, even 40s, a chance to play Cinderella.”
Ballesteros said while he’ll keep the children’s cast, he will try to develop an older cast, which he will call The Coronet Players, to perform several children’s plays each year.
The director also wants to take his show on the road like he did in his troupe’s early years to perform for sick children.
“I also hope to some day go back to (Oakland) Children’s Hospital and perform for the little children, give them some hope.”
Reach Judith Prieve at 925-779-7178 or jprieve@cctimes.com.
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