>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

SPECIAL ADAPTATION FOR YOUNG ACTORS: The Broadway musical will be performed by more than 45 child actors. (Photo/KENN WHEELER, EOU Theatre).

LA GRANDE - The Community School of the Arts at Eastern Oregon University presents, "G2K Cinderella," with performances tonight through Saturday night at 7:30 and Saturday at 2 p.m. in McKenzie Theatre.

This timeless Broadway musical will be performed by more than 45 child actors, ages 6 through 16, and is part of the Sterling Savings Bank Community Performance Series at EOU. Tickets for the show are available at Sunflower Books and are $8 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors.

Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, this production of "Cinderella" is a special adaptation for young actors. The enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with Rodgers and Hammerstein signature hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance.

Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, the story was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Its re-creation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true, and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother.

As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, the hearts of children and adults alike still soar when the slipper fits.

This is the third year of summer productions featuring child actors for The Community School of the Arts at EOU. Past productions have included, "Annie Junior" and "Music Man Junior."

"This is an important program for us," said John Winn, director of The CSA. "The summer theatre program has been growing over the past few seasons and more and more kids are becoming involved. This is also one of the most well received programs by the local community. Everyone loves seeing young kids sing, dance and act on stage."

"G2K Cinderella" will be presented under the direction of Jennifer Romriell, a junior at EOU studying performance, directing and costume design. Romriell has experience in children's theatre and has also worked as a counselor at Treasure Valley Community College's MADCamp, a music, art and drama program for children.

Romriell's involvement with the theatre department at EOU won her recognition from the American College Theatre Festival. She garnered an Irene Ryan nomination for her work in EOU's production of, "Nunsense," and hair and makeup commendations for, "Hole In the Sky" and "Our Town," also presented by EOU.

Maureen O'Brien is the assistant director and choreographer for the show. O'Brien has performed in Oregon and Washington and worked as a teacher and choreographer in Portland before moving to La Grande. She has taught classes in jazz, musical theatre, Celtic, ballroom, dance team and has coached baton, flag and cheerleading squads. She choreographed, "Caber-etc II" at EOU and "Peril on the High Seas" and "Music Man Jr." for The CSA. She is currently a student at EOU majoring in theatre.

The music director for the show is Jamie Jacobson, adjunct vocal music instructor at EOU. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and has taught private voice lessons for nine years. Jacobson has also worked teaching summer youth theatre, directing and assisting with school musicals, church youth choirs, and is currently the choir director at the Presbyterian Church. She holds a bachelor's of science degree in music with an emphasis in vocal performance from EOU and is scheduled to receive her master's degree in vocal pedagogy from Boise State University in the fall of 2008.

This production is made possible in part by a generous donation from Sterling Savings Bank.