Twin Valley High School (TVHS) will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" as its spring musical. Show dates and times are Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 11, at noon and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 12, at 2 p.m. On April 11, there will be a special "Royal Brunch" prior to the noon show at 10:30 a.m.

TVHS performed "Cinderella" in 2012, but this year it is staging the Broadway revival. "There is the original Rodgers and Hammerstein, a revival that was the enhanced edition and then they did the movie with Brandy and Whitney Houston," explained Nicole Weaver, producer. "In 2012, they did another revision, and that is (what is being featured at TVHS). This is the Broadway edition."

She noted that this year's version adds in new characters and songs to the original musical that helps tell an additional story along with the popular love story of Prince Topher and Cinderella. "We did the enhanced version in 2012, so when we decided we wanted to do 'Cinderella' again, we saw this version, which is newer," said Weaver.

This year's show is being directed by Jessie Sanders, who also directed in 2012. "It's not repeating a show," Weaver pointed out. "The revival is vastly different. There are different characters and songs, and the plot is different. There are some fundamental changes."

For example, Prince Topher is a more prominent character. "In 'Cinderella,' the enhanced version, the prince is a sort of stock character. In this one, he has his own story arc," said Weaver. "He is trying to figure out who he is, and (he and Cinderella) find each other. It becomes more about Cinderella helping him find himself, too."

While the musical does not include the prince's parents, it features a new character named Jean-Michel. "He is a revolutionary in the town," Weaver explained. "(The prince) has a regent who is running the country until he is of age, and he is corrupt. He is taxing the villagers into oblivion, and Jean-Michel is rising up and saying this is not OK."

While the musical features two stepsisters, one of them is kind. "In this one, only one stepsister is truly vain and bad," said Weaver. "The other one falls in love with Jean-Michel."

Weaver said that audiences will enjoy the new version of the traditional love story. "It is a breath of fresh air into 'Cinderella.' If you know the story and grew up seeing the Julie Andrews version, then the Brandy version, this is a whole new telling that gives new life and love into the show," Weaver stated. "I love how it updates the story and brings in new elements and characters. It's been challenging for (the cast), but it is very interesting and a very cool update."

She added that audiences will enjoy the music, the dance numbers and the sets, which include a wooden pumpkin carriage and two full-size wooden horses designed by Ken Reinert, a master craftsman, who is also the stage director along with Adam Sanders.

Other production staff members include Christina Breidinger and Lydia Blankenbiller, choral directors; Mike Lydon, production assistant; Pat Meals, light and sound technician; Anne Reinert, props manager; and Tonna Dieter, props manager.

Featured cast members are Mark Conlow, Prince Topher; Sienna Brown, Cinderella; Cecilia Skoniczin, Marie, the Fairy Godmother; Grace Kelly, Madame; Lilliana Stellini, Gabrielle; Mila Falcon, Charlotte; Jacob Ignacio, Sebastian; Misan Onofomi, Jean-Michel; and Logan Loncaric, Lord Pinkerton.

In addition to the performances, new this year will be the Royal Brunch, which will include a full brunch meal, a photo booth, face painting, crafts and a "Cinderella's Friends" petting zoo. There will also be an opportunity for guests to win prizes.

"Little girls and boys can come with their families. We will have 'Cinderella'-themed activities," Sanders said, noting children are invited to attend in costume. "Cinderella will come out and take pictures with the kids. There will also be a meet-and-greet with the characters."

Tickets will not be sold at the door. Ticket reservations will be accepted up until the day of the event, unless sold out.

"If they buy tickets to the brunch, they will get admission to the show," Sanders added. "We will walk them over from the cafeteria to the (auditorium), and they will get their first choice of seats before we let general admission in."

Twin Valley High School is located at 4897 N. Twin Valley Road, Elverson, To order tickets for the musical and the brunch, visit https://TVHSmusical.ludus.com. Tickets to the musical production will also be available at the door. More information is available at http://www.facebook.com/groups/twinvalleytac.