The Actors Co-op presents a timeless children’s fairy-tale with a modern day twist in their upcoming production of Cinderella Confidential.
Cinderella Confidential weaves the well-known tale of Cinderella into the all-too-real world of media frenzy. As two investigative reporters compete for the scoop of the century, they encounter many of our favorite fairy-tale characters: Jack and his cow, Pinocchio, two mean & ugly stepsisters, and, of course, a Fairy Godmother. Together with the help of their new friends, the reporters prowl thru the enchanted kingdom in search of the Prince’s one true love and the owner of the mysterious single glass slipper. While on their journey, they learn all sorts of lessons that fairy-tales were designed to teach.
Cinderella Confidential is smart, imaginative and uses the ever-popular "fractured fairy tale" approach to the familiar story. The quick witted jokes and the emergence of one fairy-tale character after another is sure to delight both children and adults alike. Playwright, Eric Coble, stated that creating his children’s plays is like “watching my own children play: they’re going along and-suddenly there’s a volcano! How are we going to get around that? I know, I’ll grow fairy wings!”. The cleverness in his writing has earned him fans all across the world.
Coble was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, then moved to the American Southwest, where was raised on the Navajo and Ute reservations. He received a BA in English from Fort Lewis College in Colorado, and a MFA in acting from Ohio University. Coble’s plays have been produced throughout the United States and on four continents including productions at The Kennedy center, Actors Studio, Alliance Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Some of Coble’s awards include the AT&T Onstage Award, National Theatre Conference Playwriting Award, and NEA Playwright in Residence Grant. Coble was a member of the Cleveland Play House Playwrights Unit. Some of his plays include
Natural Selection, The Dead Guy, and
Pinocchio 3.5. Recently his play,
Bright Ideas, played Off-Broadway at the
Manhattan Class Company.
Cinderella Confidential is filled with talent of all ages. Staring as the two cut throat and gutless reporters are
Actors Co-op Apprentice Company members – Breeland Donahoo and Lizzie Wouters. Donahoo is an Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse favorite. She has appeared in such plays as
James and the Giant Peach, Five Chinese Brothers, and
Fiddler on the Roof at Cumberland County Playhouse. Wouters is making her Co-op debut. Recently she started in
A Midsummer Nights Dream as Titania and
Crazy For You as Irene at Bearden High School. Other apprentice members in the cast include: Sarah Jordan Stout as the lovable and kind Cinderella, Evangaline Mee as the ditzy, yet good hearted Fairy Godmother, Kelli Dockter as the mysterious Shoe Maker, and Stephanie Shultz & Jessica Santrock as the evil Stepsisters. Former apprentice Evan Biller heads up the cast as the gentle Prince. Biller recently graduated from Bearden High School where he appeared in such plays as
Kiss Me Kate, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat. Rounding out the cast are Eli Collins as Pinocchio, Callie Stelter as the Elf, and Paul Brandt as Jack.
The Actors Co-op is proud to have company member Sarah Campbell leading such a talented cast of young adults and children. Campbell is no stranger to the Co-op stage. Previous directing credits include:
The Hobbit and
The Little Princess. Campbell has appeared in many Actors Co-op and Tennessee Stage Company Productions. Most recently she appeared as Gerri in
Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love. Campbell not only directs this fantastical tale, but she is also the Costume Designer. Kyle Biery returns to the Actors Co-op after designing one of the most complex sets in the Co-op history for
Absurd Person Singular as the Set Designer. Rounding out the artistic staff are: Mike Margle – Sound Designer, Jamie Armistead – Light Designer, and Elizabeth Hendrich – Hair & Make-up Designer.
Kids of all ages will sit on the edge of their seats waiting to see if Cinderella will find her true love and to see who will be the first to break the story of the century. And only when the world of fairy-tale fascination and tabloid truth collide will a timeless love story emerge and the truth of Cinderella will be revealed.
Opening night for Cinderella Confidential is Friday January 12th. There will be an opening night party with cookies and milk following the performance. Shows are Friday/Saturday at 7pm and Saturday/Sunday at 2pm from January 13th - 28th. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students under 12. Tickets are currently on sale through KnoxTix. Call KnoxTix at 523-7521 or visit them at www.knoxtix.com.
For group rates please call the Co-op office. For any other questions regarding the show or the Actors Co-op please call 909-9300 or visit their (mostly updated) website.
production photo credits: Shannon Stanfield
