THE COMPANY ONSTAGE
www.companyonstage.org
2001 - 2002 Children's Series

Twenty - Fifth Season

Presents

CINDERELLA


The Company OnStage presents CINDERELLA by Laura Williams. (L-R) Robyn Patterson as Cinderella with Charlene Harvey as her Fairy Godmother. Please call 713-726-1219 for reservations and information.

Adapted and Directed by
Laura Weinberg Williams

September 29 through November 11, 2001
Saturdays at 11:00am and 1:30pm

The Company Onstage
536 Westbury Square
Houston, Texas 77035
(713) 726-1219

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

CINDERELLA.....................................................Robyn Patterson
KING / FATHER...............................................S. Wayne Melnick
STEPMOTHER...................................................Cynthia Essmyer
STEPSISTER - PETTYLEE...................................Tonnie Walker
STEPSISTER - MEANILEE.................................Cynthia Henley
STEPSISTER - SNEERALEE...............................Sonia Kronberg
FAIRY GODMOTHER...........................................Charlene Harvey
PRINCE..................................................................John Stathopoulos
OFFSTAGE VOICE...............................................John Patterson


PRODUCTION STAFF

Artistic Director......................................Joyce Randall McNally
Associate Artistic Director.....................................Patti Lindloff
Director & Playwright........................Laura Weinberg Williams
Technical Director................................................Hank McNally
Set Construction................................................McNally & Cast
Carriage........................Oras Williams, Cynthia Essmyer & Cast
Musician......................................................Alice Smith
Choreographer.............................................Lee Myers

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The Company OnStage presents CINDERELLA by Laura Williams. (L-R) Robyn Patterson as Cinderella and John Stathopoulos as Prince Charming. Please call 713-726-1219 for reservations and information.


 

CINDERELLA at Company Onstage Childrens Theatre
Interview with Playwright, Director, Musician and Cast

September 29th, 2001
by Theresa Hyde
Theresa@houstontheatre.com


Company Onstage, one of the most delightful Children’s Theatre in Houston, Texas has put on one of the best Cinderella productions I have ever seen. The squealing laughter of children, little girls running around in their little blue, fairy outfits, the enchanting music, the beautiful singing, the gasps from the children as they see how poor Cinderella is being treated by her horrible step-sisters are a great way to escape away from reality into Fairyland. The audience participation is joyful, especially as we watch the Fairy Godmother Charlene Harvey ask the children to count to 3 with the wave of her magic wand. And more than just the story of Cinderella, Laura Williams' adaptation teaches good moral lessons for the kids such as forgiveness and love for one another. It’s the best place to take your children to, even if just for one hour, one Saturday.

Laura Weinberg Williams (Director) has been a Company Onstage member since it’s inception. She has adapted several fairy tales for the stage as well as writing original scripts. Laura has also directed many shows at Company Onstage.

Theresa: How long have you been working in this production of Cinderella?
Laura Weinberg Williams: We’ve been in rehearsal for about 6 weeks. We had auditions since the 1st of August. I am the playwright and director and everything else (laughs). We all wear a lot of hats.

Theresa: Did you write all the songs?
Laura: Alice Smith wrote the songs.

Theresa: How has the tragedy that happened in our country affected you and your production?
Laura: We have rehearsals on Tuesday night, so we had rehearsal scheduled for September 11th, of course, the day of terror. We talked about cancelling it with the Artistic Director Joyce Randall McNally. We decided to go ahead with it and the people came in. When everyone was gathered, we agreed not to discuss it anymore because all we could do is stand around and cry. Everyone was just devastated. And so that’s been our policy, we have simply not discussed it. We come in here.....and I say, ”Let’s just come into Fairyland......” and try to stand a couple of hours.

Theresa: But it’s so beautiful, I mean - the music, the sets, the lighting and everything. It’s so charming for the kids too, and they love it as well. I love the intermission, have you always done that? The 2 birthday girls dressed in fairy outfits and tiaras and everyone sings them a happy birthday?
Laura: Yes, we have always done that. Absolutely. Let me introduce you to the Musician.

Alice Smith (Musician) composed music for Cinderella and many other Company Onstage shows. She was last seen as Zoot in The 1940’s Radio Hour. Alice is in her 24th year as music teacher at Wilson Elementary.

Theresa: The background music is heavenly. It really takes you away. Did you write all the songs for this production of Cinderella?
Alice Smith: Right.
Theresa: Can you tell us your background?
Alice: I’ve been playing piano all my life, 55 years. I started when I was 4 years old. And then I went to the Eastminster Preparatory Department in Rochester, New York. I went to Music School, I teach Music right now at the Fine Arts School.

Theresa: How many songs have you written?
Alice: I started with this company 25 years ago. I wrote all the music for the Children’s Shows for the first 4 years, probably about 30 shows. And we’re getting ready to do Shakespeare, AS YOU LIKE IT, I wrote the music for that too. It’s not really a musical, but it came with some verses, they were supposed to be sung, but there was no music with it.

Theresa: But you will be the musical accompaniment? And it will be the Company Onstage evening Adult Series.....
Alice: Right. So, I will be playing Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night show. But it’s funny, I love doing it. And Company Onstage is a wonderful company to be with.


The Company OnStage presents CINDERELLA by Laura Williams. (L-R) John Stathopoulos as Prince Charming, Robyn Patterson as Cinderella and S. Wayne Melnick as the King. Please call 713-726-1219 for reservations and information.



Theresa: I was able to interview Cinderella. And although, I was expecting to meet Britney Spears, instead I met with a Drew Barrymore type - sweet, fun and very smart. Her name is Robyn Patterson and she is Fifteen (15) years old. Robyn last appeared as Rose the Doll in The Clown Who Ran Away at Company Onstage. Her theater credits include: Bye Bye Birdie, Showboat, and Guys & Dolls. She attends Katy High School.

Theresa: It’s a great show, you have a pretty singing voice.
Robyn: Thank you. It’s kinda every girl’s fantasy to play Cinderella, you know, you’ve got the handsome prince, and the fairy godmother, the beautiful ballgown, I mean, it’s great.
Theresa: How were you able to fit Cinderella into your busy school schedule?
Robyn: Actually, I had to do a lot of moving my schedule around, but it’s totally worth it because with all these crazy things going around, and school.
Theresa: Who inspires you to become an actress?
Robyn: Drew Barrymore. She’s awesome. And Sandra Bullock. I like to do Broadway stuff a lot because I like singing.
Theresa: Is this something you want to do in the future?
Robyn: I definitely want to more than anything. I wanna be either an actor or a singer. Actually, in school, I can’t get into theatre until next year, but right now I’m active in our Choir. But I am auditioning for GREASE in our school play.
Theresa: How has the tragedy affected you? How are you able to go on after the what has happened?
Robyn: After all that’s happened, Theatre’s a good way to get out of yourself and get into another state of mind. It’s just easy with Theatre to jump out of reality. What happened is really traumatizing for kids. They need to get out and have fun and stop worrying about it.


The Company OnStage presents CINDERELLA by Laura Williams. Cinderella (Robyn Patterson) and her selfish step-sisters Sneeralee (Sonia Kronberg), Pettylee (Tonnie Walker), and Meanilee (Cynthia Henley). Please call 713-726-1219 for reservations and information.


Theresa: I got the chance to interview Prince Charming, who like all Prince Charmings, displayed courage and bravery when he commented that he wasn’t really too “fazed” by what happened. Sixteen - year - old John Stathopoulos is making his Company Onstage debut. Theater credits include: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Taming of the Shrew. Technical work includes: Bye Bye Birdie, and Dark of the Moon.

Theresa: Tell us about the part that you’re playing.....
John: He’s a Prince who does not want to become King and thus, he is looking for his wife, to be his Queen. And everyone in the kingdom is trying to force him into choosing a wife because everyone expects it. And in the end, he finds someone he actually does love.

Theresa: Why did you choose to become a part of this play?
John: (laughs) You want the real reason? The good reason is because I love Theatre. The real reason is Robyn made me. She did. She called me the day before the Audition.

Theresa: Who inspires you to become an actor?
John: Old professional actors, a lot of playwrights and a lot of Improv stuff. My theatre director at school, Mr. Anthony Wallin , I look up to a lot. And the new theatre teacher who helped me a lot with this role. He was in plays at Rice University, Mr. Walbers is a great inspiration for me, too.

Theresa: How has the tragedy affected you?
John: What tragedy?
Theresa: The World Trade Center tragedy.
John: Oh, that tragedy. Truthfully, the World Trade Center terrorists didn’t really faze me as much as it did most people. And having all these responsibilities I have to do, because I have water polo, and I have Theatre at school and I have my school work. I just try to keep busy. I just focus on the script.


The Company OnStage presents CINDERELLA by Laura Williams. (L-R) Cinderella's evil step-sisters Sneeralee (Sonia Kronberg), Meanilee (Cynthia Henley) and Pettylee (Tonnie Walker). Please call 713-726-1219 for reservations and information.


Theresa: I also got the opportunity to interview Cinderella’s evil step - sisters. Sonia Kronberg plays Sneeralee and is happy to be returning to the stage after a lengthy absence. As a child she was a student at the Alley’s Theatre’s Merry Go Round School. She was last seen in The Wise Guys of Chelm at the JCC.

Theresa: Tell us about the part that you’re playing.
Sonia: I play Sneeralee, it’s great fun. You know, I’m forty - plus and I get to act like an eight - year old. Too much fun.
Theresa: (laughs) Why did you choose to become a part of this play?
Sonia: I like Children’s Theatre. It’s large, it’s big, and the audience, they buy into it. Basically, it’s very low risk. They’re fun, they’re entertaining.

Theresa: Tonnie Walker plays another step - sister Pettylee and is making her Company Onstage debut. Theater credits include The Offing, Agatha Christie Made Me Do It, and The Lady In Question at The Actor’s Workshop; Dirty Dealings in Dixie and Rope. She has trained at Chris Wilson’s Studio and Mercury Studios.

Theresa: Hello, how are you?
Tonnie: I’m fine, thank you. Thank you for coming up. I’m Tonnie Walker and I play Pettylee, one of the mean step - sisters.
Theresa: How did you prepare for this role?
Tonnie: To prepare for the role, I just remembered how my brothers and sisters treated me when I was a little kid (laughs). It wasn’t hard. Or should I say, how I treated them (laughs).
Theresa: Why did you choose to become a part of this play?
Tonnie: Well, I’ve never done Children’s Theatre before, so this is an experience.
Theresa: This is your first time. Isn’t this fun?
Tonnie: Yes, it’s my first Children’s play. I love it. I love it. Cinderella’s a great play. And I’m working with a great cast. So, it’s a lot of fun.

The Company OnStage presents CINDERELLA by Laura Williams. Cinderella with her evil step-mother and selfish step-sisters. Please call 713-726-1219 for reservations and information.



Theresa: Cynthia Henley plays Meanilee, another one of Cinderella’s evil step - sister. Cyndi is making her stage debut at Company Onstage. By day, she is a self - employed lawyer. Cynthia enjoys traveling and spending time with her family: Paul, Taylor, and Shelby Anne.

Theresa: Hello, how are you?
Cynthia: I’m great, thanks.
Theresa: Why did you choose to become a part of this play?
Cynthia: I like to take my children to Theatre. And actually because I was in my middle - age crazies. I saw the ad for the audition and I came in cold and did it! Never having seen one, never done one, and just did it (laughs)!
Theresa: Oh, it’s so gorgeous. I mean, the sets, the lighting, the music and everything. You guys did such a good job!
Cynthia: Well, I think our director did a great job picking people, because as it turned out, we all play off each other so well. And I think all that has to do with our director, our stage manager, and the people that support us. They have all made work together, it’s fun.

Theresa: How has the tragedy affected you?
Sonia: We’re just trying to get back to some semblance of normalcy. You know, get back to a routine. Maybe with theatre, we can bring a little bit of laughter. We don’t need to forget, but we have to move on.
Cynthia: I am very blessed not to have anybody particularly involved. And so I think, for those who do have people involved, the rest of us need to be supportive in whatever manner. And that means, putting on shows like this where if they feel like coming, then they have someplace to come and not to have so much worry.
Tonnie: And I think that people, in my opinion, should definitely count their blessings because we are truly truly blessed. I think that the World Trade Center tragedy brought out the worst of people and the best of people. So I have to thank God that they didn’t come to Houston and hit the Transco tower or NASA.

Theresa: Well, I guess the three evil - stepsisters are not so evil after all. This is the first Houston Theatre interview I’ve done since the tragic event on September 11th, 2001. And I have observed that it hasn’t terrorized Houston, Texas. Even though it has indeed changed us all, theatre has continued to entertain us with strong resolve and as they say, “The Show must go on.....” Don't Miss CINDERELLA at The Company Onstage where the Cast will always be happy to autograph your program after the show.


The Company OnStage presents CINDERELLA by Laura Williams. Please call 713-726-1219 for reservations and information.