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VALDOSTA — Valdosta School of Ballet presents its fourth annual production of “Cinderella” this weekend to raise scholarship money for Valdosta State University Theatre.

And if you have never seen this production, or if it has become a tradition, you better go this weekend. Because after this year, it may be several years before it is presented again.

Brandi Mackey, Valdosta School of Ballet director, says this will be the last “Cinderella” production. Next year, she will present “Sleeping Beauty,” which will likely be performed every January for a few years.

Like “Cinderella,” the ballet performance of “Sleeping Beauty” will combine the talents of Valdosta School of Ballet students, Valdosta State University Theatre students and faculty, and a Russian dancer. And these talents will continue raising money for VSU Theatre scholarships.

The past three years have raised $18,000 for VSU Theatre, and this fourth “Cinderella” production is expected to raise those combined numbers as high as $25,000.

As for “Cinderella,” Mackey has made some changes for this final year. She does not play the fairy godmother as she has in the past three productions. VSU student dancer Rose Buis plays the fairy godmother this year. A new dance has also been added called Spirit of the Forest, performed by Lauren Lindsey. Meanwhile, Mackey will play the character of the Spirit of Midnight.

Many favorite aspects of the show return. Mackey’s choreography has been added to a humorous script of Cinderella often used by dance companies, says Jacque Wheeler, VSU Theatre instructor serving as an advisor to this show.

Wheeler is joined by fellow VSU faculty Duke Guthrie and Eric Nielsen who play very funny ugly step-sisters. Brooke Butler, Valdosta School of Ballet’s assistant director, reprises the role of the wicked step-mother.

While audiences should expect a warm and funny Cinderella, they should look for some truly inspired dancing, too, choreographed by Mackey and from her many cast members.

Headlining the show is Valdosta School of Ballet’s Drew Williams Armstrong reprising the role of Cinderella as she has each year of this production. Williams is a Valdosta School of Ballet instructor who has studied under Mackey for more than a dozen years and has also studied with Nielsen and Catherine Schaeffer with VSU Repertory Dancers. She has traveled to New York for dance conferences and has performed in numerous local shows. She is a 2005 VSU graduate.

This year’s Prince Charming is Alexander Smirnov. He “has toured and guest starred extensively throughout Japan, England, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Holland, and Belgium,” according to his program biography. “A graduate of the Vaganova Academy in Perm, Russia, he performed with the St. Petersburg Academic Theatre, St. Petersburg ballet theatre, Ballet Official de la Provincia de Cordoba and Ballet Internationale of Indianapolis before joining Dance Alive National Ballet.”

“Cinderella” renewed a tradition of several years ago when Valdosta School of Ballet annually produced “The Little Match Girl” as a production to benefit VSU Theatre.



THE CAST: Brandi Mackey, Drew Williams Armstrong, Eric Brandt Nielsen, H. Duke Guthrie, Brooke Butler, Zach Lorber, Caleb Spivey, Samantha Lee, Shelby Nichols, Mac Mackey, Shanna Beall, Mary Kate Crump, Alexis Everitt-Henkels, Katelynn Kenworthy, Rose Buis, Lauren Lindsey, Lacey Harper, Haley Sheppard, Regan Taylor, Lauren Hallford, Hannah Trowell, Tim Olivar, Katie Barnett, Raoul Barnick, Shanna Beall, Catherine Bradley, Mary Kate Crump, Colby Hall, Alexis Everitt-Henkels, Phillip Jones, Samantha Lee, Lauren Lindsey, Rachel Lockhart, Shelby Nichols, Will Norris, J. D. Touchton, Taylor Bennett, Adair Carter, Sarah Cline, Renaissance Conde, Syndey Hammond, Ava Grace Hinton, Hillary Hutchinson, Anna Holmes, Caroline Holmes, Blythe Lindsey, Morgan Mackey, Hadley Miles, Madeline Pitts, Lillie Robinson, Emily Signor, Isabella Vasquez, Emmi Van Zoest, Desiree Armour, Kyndall Isgett, Jada Nickell, Andrea Petty, Ryssa Spaudling, Richella Velarmino, Crystal Wang, Anslie Wildes, Rachel Akridge, Adalin Guess, Jaden Hallman, Alaina Johnson, Catalina Juarez, Morgan Mackey, Riley Messer, Madison Ply, Baileigh Rowland, Vivian Thomas, Jessica Bowers, Elizabeth Folsom, Madison Folsom, Evans George, Morgan Goolsby, Grace Magaret Harp, Abbie Holmes, Alden McDonald, Mary Leigh Moseley, Gabrielle Moss, Morgan Nix, Emma Paulk, Alexandra Peeples, Savannah Romaine, Lakyn Stubbs, Caylie Werle, Taylor Werle, Emily Ann Wolfson, Savannah Bailey, Anna Butcher, Haley Davis, Kate Durland, Kate Hanson, Hope Hathcock, Adrian Howell, Cadee Hughes, Faith Johnson, Olivia Kramer, Kylee Lindsey, Kelsi Kate McLendon, Lauren Metrolis, Madison Miller, Mary Peeples, Elizabeth Pitts, Katie Rothenhofer, Sara Beth Rountree, Shanna Beall, Catherine Bradley, Ainsley Cribbs, Elizabeth Cribbs, Mary Kate Crump, Alexis Everitt-Henkels, Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Hailee Hathcock, Madison Kuehn, Samantha Lee, Brittany Metrolis, Tiara Sivells, Hannah Trowell, Ainsley Cribbs, Elizabeth Cribbs, Savannah-Jane Gilchrist, Hailee Hathcock, Madison Kuehn, Brittany Metrolis, Tiara Sivells.



DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Brandi Mackey, choreography; Jacque Wheeler, stage direction; Richard Haptonstall, production supervisor, scenic art, lighting designer; Gaye George, ballroom dance choreographer; Brooke Butler, jester choreographer; Thomas Poje, master electrician; Belinda Butler, Hanna Everitt, Joan Everitt, Michelle R.B. Everitt, Loretta Steele, costume design; Joe Muncy, technical drafting; Elizabeth Dunn, stage manager; Megan Wheeler, props; Michael Scroggs, Katie Cathell, production crew.



SHOWTIME

Valdosta School of Ballet’s “Cinderella” fund-raiser for VSU Theatre scholarships.

When: Show plays 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, off North Forrest Street.

Ticket: $12, adult, $10, student (at the door); $8, adult, $6, student (advance). Advance tickets available at Tumble and Twirl, The Scoop, Perfect Setting, The Children’s Shop, Children’s Corner, Kids Footwear.

More information: Call VSU Theatre, 333-5973; or Valdosta School of Ballet, 247-9966.