Westfield To Present Cinderella Dinner Theater
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"An everlasting, everchanging fable" with music and lyrics by Westfield Academy and Central School music teacher Kent Knappenberger will be presented in four productions at the school today through Saturday.
The production of Cinderella marks the return of the dinner theater to the school district after a hiatus due to the pandemic. The 22nd annual dinner theater presentation will offer three evening performances and one Saturday matinee to the public.
"The story centers around the fact that Cinderella was taught and encouraged to believe things about herself that were not true," Knappenberger said.
He explained that Cinderella is not only going to be a princess, but is destined to be queen. However, her stepmother keeps referring to her by labels that diminish her self-esteem.
"The whole story is filled with namecalling," he added.
The fairy godmother is actually Cinderella's real mother in the musical, and she describes Cinderella as a good person and a courageous young woman.
"I've written some very goofy music for this production," Knappenberger said. "But the song that the fairy godmother sings is probably the most important song in this story."
Knappenberger said he decided to write the story and songs himself and he even added a few new characters. The focus on coming to know one's true self is important to children and adults alike, he said.
Knappenberger said he had been keeping up with the state guidelines regarding COVID protocols, so he was not only able to put on a musical production, but was able to bring the dinner theater back.
"I thought we could stage a musical at this point," he said. "There are 55 blue Xs on our stage and when everybody is on the stage, we use all of them. We've set the limit in the auditorium at 250, which is way less than half of what it holds."
Knappenberger said the dinner is possible because the district's cafeteria manager has had experience in the commercial food industry.
"We are following the same regulations in the cafeteria as they do in restaurants," he said. "We're only seating 60 in the cafeteria at a time."
The really difficult aspect of the production was the possibility of cast members being place in quarantine, Knappenberger said. To avoid this problem, he double-cast every role except Cinderella. Each performer will be on stage for two performances.
"I double cast every role," he said, "but I actually had a situation where both cast members for one character were quarantined."
Knappenberger said he has been very impressed with the students' enthusiasm and cooperation.
"I don't know if it's because they had to do without the productions, but the kids have been wonderful," he said. "They are so pleasant and it's so nice to work with them."
Knappenberger said he believes there are many outstanding performers in the cast.
Senior Julia Abbey, who has been in previous musical productions at WACS, plays the role of Cinderella and will be performing in all four productions.
The dinner theater will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online at wacs.seatyourself.biz. Dinner and show tickets can also be reserved by calling 326-2151, ext. 283 or may be purchased from any cast member.