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‘Starâ€"studded cast brings Cinderella to Kâ€"W stage '] "the Centre in the Square promises to be abuzz when a cavalâ€" cade of bigâ€"name talent takes the stage for a funâ€" filled, yet heady production of Cinderella this week. Everyone‘s favorite ragsâ€" toâ€"riches, boyâ€"meetsâ€"girl, ifâ€"theâ€"shoeâ€"fits fairy tale is in good hands, as Ross Petty Productions presents its ninth consecutive Holiâ€" day Family Musical to a Kâ€" W audience, fresh off of a run at Toronto‘s Elgin Theâ€" atre. Veteran performer Don Harron (Hee Haw‘s Charlie Farquharson) plays Cinâ€" derella‘s kindly father, Baron Hardup, while Petty in a frock becomes Cinâ€" derella‘s wicked stepmothâ€" er. Radio personality Erin Davis makes her theatrical debut as Cinderella‘s Fairy Godmother, while Cinâ€" derella herself is played by Jennifer Gould (Stratford‘s Gigi). The rest of the cast includes Adam Brazier who plays Cinderella‘s prince with a shoe fetish; comedy veterans Cliff Saunders (Le Fou in Toronto‘s Beauty and _ the â€" Beast) and Jonathan Wilson (Timon the Meerkat in Disney‘s The Lion King) are Buttons and Dandini; and Mary Ellen Mahoney and Karen Skidâ€" more play Cinderella‘s evil stepsisters. For veteran producer Petty, whose impressive list of theatrical credits is matched by a television career that includes roles on "Perry Mason," "Spenser For Hire," and the recent ABC hit show, "Monk." it is still a real thrill to leave Toronto for a spell and return once again to the Kâ€" W area. "In the lateâ€"80s, we used to tour these shows right across Canada," he rememâ€" bered. "I think 1989 was the year we came into Kitchenâ€" er for the first time and. unfortunately. that was By VisH KHanna For The Chronicle sychic Fair } Bingemans 1380 Victoria St N . Kitchener \%M?N-(:onoSl N . Zkm E. of Hwy 861 Admission * 5 â€" Velld All Weekend * Peychic Readers * Torot Readers + Paim Readers .% + Numeroiogists + Spiritualists * Aure * Free Lactures + Vendors & More Jeanuaery 2, 3, 4 En 110 â€" Sot 140 â€" Sum 11â€"7 really the only time. I really want to start expanding that base again because we‘ve been a Toronto proâ€" duction for some time now and it‘s time to start movâ€" ing forward again." Although it may surprise some residents of Kâ€"W to discover that the principal players in a successful theâ€" atrical production in Toronâ€" to are packing up and headâ€" ing towards the Centre in the Square, Petty insists that it is a worthy trek down the 401 for his stellar cast and crew. "You have aone of the finest theatres in the counâ€" try," he said of the Centre "So. we‘re delighted to be coming to perform in that wonderful facility. 1 think that has a lot to do with the general manager Jamie Grant, who has really made some excellent initiatives Ross Petty Productions presents Cinderella at The Centre in the Square Jan. 2â€"4 ARTS FOCUS While almost everyone knows the story of Cinderelâ€" la, there may be a few unexpected twists and turns in this unique adaptaâ€" tion. This is due in part to the heritage of British Panto fairy tales from which Ross Petty Productions‘ holiday shows are adapted: lots of music, topical humour, corny humour, audience interaction, fantasy, romance, gorgeous cosâ€" tumes and scenery. there, and is really the one responsible for bringing us to your town." "We have something that is unique and we expect our audiences to be a part of the action," Petty said. "They‘re expected to cheer and boo and we bring people up onâ€"stage, we run into the audienceâ€" 1 mean it‘s like a circus, frankly." _ â€" A circus maybe, but one NT oy Junction Thomas, BOB the Builder, Arte ‘n Crafts. Madeline 5 $13/child includes: 2 hrs . staff, loot bag & lunch in the past 2 years over 600 children have enjoyed a Toy Junction birthday party Riverworks, St. Jacobs 664â€"1451 â€"â€"â€" Birthday Parties that manages to meld a wellâ€"established fairy tale with contemporary agriculâ€" tural woes and their politiâ€" cal implications. "We did have a fourâ€"day workshop with the actors where we tried to find a difâ€" ferent back story for Cinâ€" derella." Petty explained "We came up with the conâ€" cept that the story takes place in Pumpkinville, where the main economy is pumpkin growing. There‘s a blight on the pumpkins and Cinderella becomes an activist trying to figure out a way to stem the tide of this blight." It is an intriguing risk to take in altering a familyâ€" favourite during the festive Christmas season, but Petty insists that the updated plotline does nothing to Continued on page 13 J NOW PROVIDING DIGITAL LAL from DIGITAL MEDLA Bent’s foto source High Quality Digital Prints Print From _ inrgmdmmo evzrvewn,.s _ COMpact Flash, Smart Media Drayton Entertainment recently received a welâ€" come Christmas present. The professional theatre company was awarded with a prestigious $10,000 Lieutenant Governor‘s Award for the Arts in a cereâ€" mony at the Art Gallery of Ontario. "We are extremely excited and humbled by the recognition of our achievements in the past year," says Alex Mustakas, artistic director. "This award is a tribute to the continued generosity and support of our network of corporate partners, individual donors, members, volunteers, tourism partners, and communityâ€"minded citizens." Mustakas is quick to point out that these stakeâ€" holders form the backbone of Drayton Entertainâ€" ment, which over the years has earned the moniker of Canada‘s Most Successful Summer Theatre Comâ€" pany. Established in 1995 by the Honourable Henry N.R. Jackman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario at the time, the awards encourage and reward the efforts of Ontario arts organizations that demonstrate excepâ€" tional private sector and community support. The program is the only one of its kind in the country. Last year was outstanding for Drayton Entertainâ€" ment, both artistically and commercially. Fifteen productions played to packed houses and rave reviews, as more than 192,000 theatregoers were entertained by Drayton Entertainment‘s signature blend of hilarious comedies and charming musicals. "What started as little more than hopes and dreams has grown into Canada‘s third largest profesâ€" sional summer theatre festival," says founding board member John Green. "I am continually amazed by what has been accomplished in such a short period of time." __ "Without their help, none of this would be possiâ€" ble," he said. "Our success is their success." _ Drayton Entertainment has built an impressive track record, receiving the important honour an unprecedented six times. In its 13 years of operation, Drayton Entertainâ€" ment has blazed a trail of selfâ€"sufficiency and innoâ€" vation. The organization operates a circuit of five live theatres in four unique communities â€" Drayton Fesâ€" tival Theatre (Drayton}, Huron Country Playhouse and Playhouse II (Grand Bend]. King‘s Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene}. and Schoolhouse Theatre (St lacobs} Bruce Whale. board president, was present to accept the award on behalf of Drayton Entertainâ€" ment. "Drayton Entertainment and its wonderful productions have become a source of great pride for each of the communities in which we operate. All those who have contributed to this company are to be commended for their efforts in continuing a fine tradition of excellence." Tickets are currently on sale exclusively to Memâ€" bers. and will be available to the general public on March 1 To add your name to the mailing list, call the box office at (519) 638â€"5555 or toll free at 1 â€"888â€"449â€"4463 Excitement is already mounting for Drayton Entertainment‘s 2004 Season of Music and Laughter 5x7 Bx10 11x14 12x18 Drayton Entertainment receives arts award $2.50 ea $5.00 ea $9.95 ea $9.95 ea 96 King St. *. _ CD Mernory Stick, or Tel: B86â€"1 320