Soon the stars
of the Theater department will make their fall debut in a two for
one special of “Cinderella and “The Country Mouse and The City
Mouse.”
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;”>Soon the stars of the Theater
department will make their fall debut in a two for one special of
“Cinderella and “The Country Mouse and The City Mouse.” This play
is a delightful treat for anyone young and old. The theater
department received a grant from the Roanoke Island Festival Park
to do a children’s series this summer. The two plays were done over
the summer and were a great success so they decided to bring them
to A&T.
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;”>Professor Donna Baldwin-
Bradby, the plays director, really made “The Country Mouse &
The City Mouse” her own as opposed to the usual Aesop fable. She
completely modernized and made it into an incredibly entertaining
comedy. This story is all about two mice who are cousins. There’s
Junior, the country mouse, and Ace, the city swindler played by
Nick Turner, a senior Professional Theater major from Winston
Salem, NC.
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;”>“Nick really developed the
character. It was a five to six page script and nick really made it
what it is,” said Professor Bradby.
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;”>From the hip hop number to
the line dancing Ace is sure to leave vewiers lighthearted.
In the end, after the laughter ceases there was a
lesson to be learned. Despite their differences Ace and Junior
realize that they don’t have to enjoy the others lifestyle as long
as they remember what’s important, and that’s family. This was the
lesson Director Bradby wanted to convey. “When I was a girl I loved
the country mouse and the city mouse but they always made it seem
like the country was better I thought that was unfair so this story
does not end like that.”
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;”>After that play ended the
theater department surprised the audience with an intermission
filled with snacks and children’s activities. Then it was time for
every girl’s favorite tale, “Cinderella”. Everyone knows the story
of Cinderella, the tormented motherless girl swept off her feet by
a dashing prince and in the end they live happily ever
after.
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;”>Cinderella just keeps getting
better with this short adaptation of the mesmerizing Disney movie.
Not only are characters like the prince, Fairy Godmother, evil
stepsisters and of course Cinderella true to tradition, but
Cinderella and the prince even sing for us! Their voices are
amazing and the number really adds to the whole play.
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;”>The director, Professor
Frankie Day, assured that her version is the classic story of
Cinderella’s journey from rags to riches. The stepmother is mean;
the stepsisters mean, ugly and dumb; Fairy God mother is quirky and
fun; and Cinderella is just humble, sweet, and gorgeous.
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;”>Janaya Hudson, a professional
theater major from Charlotte, NC as well as the Fairy godmother in
Cinderella assures that Aggies are in for a treat. “We
worked really hard at our children’s series and it’s no way anyone
will be disappointed. It’s so much going on with the theatre
department that I’m looking forward to sharing with the aggie world
this year!” These two plays are a must see for everyone especially
those who have a little one to share it with.
“font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;”>The play will be showing
Sept. 22- 25 and Sept. 29-Oct. 22. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10
for senior citizens and students of other schools, and children 12
and under are $5. Admission for A&T students is free with an
aggie one card.
- Nia Smith, Contributor