RIGHT- Lord Pinkelton (Finn Witt ) sings during the presentation of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with cast members Deep Kaur, AutumnSteinback, Fuschia Waubanasee and Kia Nutt. The South Tama High School Vocal Music Department production starts Thursday evening at the Wieting in Toledo. Chronicle photos/John Speer

Fairy tales can come true..

“Fairy Tales can come true.

They can happen to you

if you’re young at heart-

-For it’s hard, you will find

Ella (Hanah Novotny in Cinderella.

To be narrow of mind if you’re young at heart.”

-Carolyn Leigh/Johnny Richards

By Mary Fasse-Shaw

Fairy tales? Young at heart? STC’s Vocal Department is bringing you Rogers and Hammerstein’s fairy tale musical Cinderella to life Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. at the Wieting Theatre. Those who are “young at heart” will want to see the latest 2013 Broadway version of this classic fairy tale. And what a better way to spend part of the weekend than allowing one’s young heart to enjoy the story and music as well as the costumes, set, and lighting.

In this latest version, those who are not necessarily evil, but who are not so nice, are brought to redemption. In earlier musical versions of Cinderella, and even in Sondheim’s Into the Woods, the step mother and step sisters are never redeemed. They get their “comeuppance” without ever revealing the backstories as to why they are the way they are. In this version, epiphanies happen, amends are made, and forgiveness is given. Julie Matta, Madame, the step mother, brings her character to life with skilled nuance while step sisters Gabriella, Kalista Koster, and Charlotte, Katherin Kofstad, bring a clear contrast to each other that makes these two sisters more recognizably human, rather than caricatures.

Jean Michelle (Luis Avalos) in Cinderella.

There is, of course, a necessary and obligatory love component as well as a social theme. Step sister Gabriella falls in love with Jean-Michel, Luis Avalos, a “foot soldier” in trying to bring social justice to the kingdom. Who wouldn’t want a first date ladling soup at a soup kitchen?

Cinderella, Hanah Novotny and Prince Topher, Evan Glockl, epitomize young at heart and young love as well. Cinderella goes to the ball and makes a connection of a couple of hours with the prince. They fall in love; (Hey! It’s a musical!) and Cinderella runs away, leaving her shoe for Topher to carry and scrounge the countryside looking for the ONLY girl with that size shoe. (Hey! It’s a fairy tale AND a musical!) It’s not giving anything away as everyone knows that Cinderella and Prince Topher get together, but how they do it is a little different from versions in the past.

Fairytales wouldn’t be a fairytale if there weren’t a fairy godmother disguised as an old, friendly crone. Carly Mathes-Henle, Marie, brings the friendliness as well as the doddering to the role. Her singing voice is clear and strong and fills the Wieting.

But as with every fairy tale, there is always a villain. In Cinderella, it is the “control freak” Sebastian, Lord Proctor to the Prince, Jonathan Meyer, and his little toady, Lord Pinkleton, Finn Witt. Power is a heady thing as it has certainly gone to their heads. As Sebastian seeks to control the kingdom, Topher, with the help of Jean-Michel finds out about Sebastian’s subterfuge–and he also finds his courage.

The supportive cast is an integral part of the show with many of the actors playing multiple parts. Although the crew is hardworking and organized, they truly wish there was a fairy godmother to help build the set, set the lights, and sound cues. The crew’s magic is evident when the curtain rises.

Cinderella, the fairy tale, comes to life this weekend. The magic begins. Remember, as the song goes, “And if you should survive to a hundred and five, look at the all you’ll derive out of being alive. Here is the best part.you have a head start, if you are among the very young at heart. Fairy tales can come true. They do this weekend. Bring your young heart.