California Ballet Company Premier – March, 2008, San Diego Civic Theatre

Choreographed by Eugene Ballet Artistic Director, Toni Pimble, and featuring Serge Prokofiev’s score, this production boasted a seasoned cast including California Ballet Company Ballerina Jennifer Curry and Principal Dancer Cassandra Lund.

This magical and sumptuous ballet was choreographed to the beautiful score of Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev with exquisite sets and costumes by Skip Hubbard, Ann Woodruff Murray and Lynn Bowers.  “Pimble’s Cinderella is all confetti – guaranteed to bring smiles…” (Crafts, 2004, The Register-Guard). Act I takes place at Cinderella’s home with wicked step-sisters played “en traveste” (males in female roles) which prove a perfect comic foil for the heroine Cinderella. Later scenes in the first act include four fairies representing the four seasons and twelve gnomes that escort Cinderella through the enchanted forest to the prince’s grand ball.  Act II encompasses the prince’s ball with an elaborate waltz of six couples. The highlight of Act III is a charming, romantic pas de deux danced by Cinderella and Prince Charming.

What the Critics Said:Cinderella:

“Cinderella played to California Ballet’s strengths – foremost among them that director Mahon understands spectacle. From sets to costumes to storytelling, she knows how to put on a show that carries in the vast Civic Theatre and delights an audience. Chie Kudo commanded the stage as the Fairy Godmother, dancing with delicacy and power, as well as that impossible-fake quality, joy.  Cecelia Rodriguez showed off her jumps as the Autumn Fairy.” – Janice Steinberg, San Diego Union Tribune

“Cinderella was elegantly portrayed by Cassandra Lund, handling both the pantomime and dancing with ease and grace.”  - Brian Schaefer, sandiego.com