"It's a reimagining where the fairy godmother kind of plays the role of life coach and helps Cinderella develop confidence and stand up for herself. It's zany and funny."
The Hudson Theater Ensemble will mark its 16th year Sunday with the debut of its latest children's play; a musical adaptation of the Disney classic "Cinderella" titled "Cinderella! Cinderella!"
Florence Pape, director of development for the Hudson Theater Ensemble who also plays the role of fairy godmother in the play, this Cinderella is one you've never seen before.
"Our Cinderella has big feet. She doesn't have confidence. There is no evil stepmother, and Cinderella's best friend is a 6-foot-7 dog," Pape says of the show the ensemble has been working on since August. "It's a reimagining where the fairy godmother kind of plays the role of life coach and helps Cinderella develop confidence and stand up for herself.
"It's zany and funny."
Pape says the show is suitable for children ages 3-10, and that the goal is to inspire kids to realize their potential.
"The message for the children is to believe in yourself. To not feel that if other people tell you bad things about you that you have to believe them," Pape explains. "Me and (producer) Diana London read about 100 children's plays until we found this one. We chose it because it has a gentle message and people will walk away feeling good about themselves and about their possibilities."
There will be six performances of "Cinderella! Cinderella!" starting Sunday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be performances on Halloween at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (kids are welcome to wear their costumes) and Sunday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
All tickets to the show -- located at the Hudson School Performance Space at 601 Park Ave. in Hoboken -- are $10 each.
Pape says there are plenty of tickets available for the Halloween shows, but that parents should make their reservations soon for the other performances as they are close to selling out.
For members of the crowd who have birthdays, Pape says the entire cast will sing them Happy Birthday as well as meet the children in the lobby for pictures after the show.
"For many children in the audience this is their first experience with live theater," Pape said. "We have introduced many a generation to the theater. As an audience member you are watching the stage, but parents and grandparents are also watching their children. It's lovely."
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