Champaign Urbana Ballet presented its performance of “Cinderella” at the historic Virginia Theatre in downtown Champaign this past weekend. The production drew a diverse audience of ages and backgrounds from across the community, from University students to families and individuals from the C-U area.
Eagerly awaiting the show to start, some audience members had come in support of friends.
“One of our friends is performing in the ballet,” said Shivani Anbazhagan, freshman in LAS, who had come to the show with friend Tessa Waldhoff, a freshman in Engineering.
The performance holds a place in the local community as well.
“We’re here specifically to see one friend, Daisy Lewis, but some of them are previous students of mine that are in there,” said Jill Cappa, English teacher at Champaign Central High School.
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When prompted about the visual aspects of the show, Waldhoff responded, “I think the costumes are going to be very beautiful,” drawing on her previous viewing experiences at the Virginia Theatre.
The ballet was performed three times this weekend: Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. According to the Virginia Theatre’s website, the show’s runtime was 1 hour and 30 minutes.
According to the program, the performance featured choreography by Tracy McCabe and music by Sergei Prokofiev.
Act I: The Chateau and the Forest
During the first scene, the audience was provided a glimpse into Cinderella’s and her stepsisters’ home, the Chateau. The stage was lit in soft violet and blue, casting a melancholic mood over the ornate set.
One solo moment featured Lydia Stevens, who played Cinderella. With a wistful expression, she held a painting of her parents while clad in a simple maid’s costume.
The audience remained engaged throughout the act, clapping enthusiastically at the end of each variation performed by Cinderella and laughing in response to the clumsy stepsisters’ antics.
“It’s interesting how they’re able to show [the story], you know, without even actually talking,” Cappa said.
The second scene was set in the forest. A range of magical inhabitants — including the Fairy Godmother, the four seasons, the evening sky, the stars and the giant, accompanied by his gnomes — each contributed a unique phrase of choreography. They all played a part in guiding Cinderella and reminding her to return home before midnight.
According to cast member Brett Feddersen, who played the role of the giant while on stilts, working with a prop was both a help and a hindrance.
“The staff was like a crutch to help me,” Feddersen said. “When I spin it to show midnight, that’s the trickiest part.”
Highlights of the scene included the four pas de deux by each of the duos representing the four seasons. The choreography featured intricate partnering, with lifts, promenades and supported jumps.
During intermission, three young audience members were observed dancing in the aisle — arms curved and raised above the head in ballet fashion — echoing turns and jumps, inspired by what they had seen during the first act.
Act II: the Palace Ballroom, the Chateau and the Amoroso
As the second act began, Cinderella arrived at the Palace Ballroom in her fully functioning pumpkin coach. Adorned with flowers, the iconic coach is featured on the Virginia Theatre’s website and on the cover of the program.
Murmurs of astonishment could be heard throughout the crowd as the coach glided across the stage.
“I was surprised by the [set] background, and then when they actually brought them out on the carriage, like (they could do all that) on this little stage,” Cappa said.
When Cinderella met Prince Charming at the ball and danced the night away, her costume sparkled: a bright white against the gold set and lavender gowns of the other characters.
Most people who know the classic story of Cinderella can likely guess what happened next. However, it still came as a shock to the audience to hear the clock ticking with a final clang, signaling midnight. Gasps echoed throughout the audience as the large clock descended the screen.
As Cinderella lost her shoe, she heeded the warning and returned to the Chateau. Once there, she reminisced about the ball. To symbolize this, the silhouettes of dancers separated from Cinderella behind a sheer curtain were illuminated in red and purple. They danced in sync with Cinderella’s exact movements.
Eventually, Prince Charming made his way to the Chateau and reunited with Cinderella. Upon matching her shoe to her foot, they danced together once more, ending the production on a joyful note.
After the show, volunteer Kristin Feddersen waited outside the theater for her husband, Brett Feddersen.
“We’ve been involved for 20 years,” Kristin Feddersen said, reflecting on their time with the CU Ballet.
Upon reflection, Brett Feddersen noted his role was challenging but ultimately rewarding. He mentioned feeling “A little nervous because of the stilts,” but his favorite aspect was working with the younger cast members.
“Working with the gnomes, man, they’re great,” Brett Feddersen said.
With the support of local sponsors, volunteers and aspiring pre-professional dancers, CU Ballet’s Cinderella was a collective passion project.
