DePaul's The Theatre School will perform "Cinderella: The Remix," from April 20 through May 27 at the historic Merle Reskin Theatre. (Image by Grip Design)CHICAGO — The Theatre School at DePaul University presents
“Cinderella: The Remix,” with book and lyrics by Psalmayene 24, music by Nick
tha 1Da, and directed by Coya Paz. “Cinderella: The Remix” is part of The
Theatre School's Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series. It
opens April 20 and runs through May 27 at DePaul's historic Merle Reskin
Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive.
The production tells the story of Cinderella, a DJ, stuck in
her stepmother's basement and forced to give up her beats to her stepbrother,
Chocolate Ice. When the famous J Prince announces auditions for his Hip-Hop
Hollywood "Jam,” Cinderella goes in disguise trying to score the biggest
gig in the land. The performance is an urban twist on the classic Cinderella
fairy tale and recommended for ages 5 and up.
The cast features Chanell Bell Copeland (Cinderella), Hunter
Bryant (Chocolate Ice), Mariana Castro Florez (Chin Chilla), Samantha Newcomb
(Bad Mamajama/Hoperah) and Nosakhere Cash-O'Bannon (J Prince).
The production staff includes Coya Paz (director), Angela
McIlvain (scenic design), Emilee Orton (costume design), Richard Latshaw
(lighting design), Madeline Doyle (sound design), Yasmin Mitchel and Spencer
Olson (dramaturgy) and Emily Mills (stage management).
Paz teaches full time in The Theatre School and is the
artistic director of the historic Free Street Theater, which has been making
performances by, for, about, with and in Chicago's diverse communities since
1969. She is at work on The Miracles/Los Milagros, which celebrates everyday
miracles and community resilience. It will tour Chicago parks this summer.
Performances are at
10 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Special Friday performances
will occur at 10 a.m. April 28 and May 12. A Sunday performance will be held at
2 p.m. May 21. There is no Thursday performance May 11 and no Saturday
performance May 20.
The performance of “Cinderella: The Remix” on Saturday, May
13 will be sensory friendly. A social narrative and adapted teacher guide will
be available prior to the performance. Accommodations to this performance
include reduced sound and lighting cues and some added light in the house of
the theatre to welcome audience members with sensory sensitivities.
The performances May 18 and 21 will be interpreted in
American Sign Language. Call TTY: 773-325-7975. April 22 is USO of Illinois
Day. U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families with a valid military ID
can attend the performance for free. Visit www.tixfortroops.org
to reserve tickets, or call 312-922-1999 for more information.
Join the cast for an autograph session after the performance
April 22. The performances April 28 and May 6 will be followed by a post-show
discussion. Visit the website or call the box office for additional details.
Tickets are $10. Subscriptions and group rates for 15 or
more people are available. DePaul employees, alumni, and college students
receive a discount with ID. Tickets are available online or by calling the Box
Office at 312-922-1999.
Complimentary teacher guides are available online for
educators and interested audience members. Guides include activities and
discussions for before and after the performance, which highlight core-learning
goals. Themes from this production include fairy tales, gender roles, girl
power, hip-hop, identity, pop culture and sexism.
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Media contact:
Anna Ables
aables@depaul.edu
773-325-7938