La Grande High presents ‘Cinderella’
Published 3:00 am Monday, February 24, 2025
- Jessica Durfee checks the costume of Alyson Glabe, who will play Cinderella in a La Grande High School musical which begins on Thursday, Feb. 27.
LA GRANDE — A classic fairy tale is about to come to life on La Grande High School’s stage — with a twist.
“Cinderella” can be seen at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 27 to March 1. Tickets are $5 each and all will be sold at the door. Doors open 20 minutes before curtain.
The cast of 16 is led by director Kevin Durfee, LHS choir teacher, and his daughter, co-director Jessica Durfee.
“We are so excited, we are buzzing,” said Jessica Durfee, a 2010 LHS graduate who studied music and theater years at Eastern Oregon University and has co-directed three musicals with her father.
The cast will perform a version of the 1997 Walt Disney adaptation of Rodgers and Harmerstein’s “Cinderella” which starred Whitney Houston and Brandy. The local production has more levity than other versions.
“It has a lot more comedy scenes,” Jessica Durfee said. “Just reading them was a lot of fun for the cast. Sometimes they were in stitches.”
Interactions between Cinderella (Alyson Glabe) and the prince (Jason Nelson), who come from different social classes, add to the humor.
“Their natural awkwardness lends itself to comedy,” Jessica Durfee said.
Casting challenge
The evil stepmother will be played by Elizabeth Carpenter, a junior at LHS. Taking on the role did not come easily for Carpenter because of her friendly disposition.
“She is a sweet, sweet girl. Adding bite was not easy for me to do with her,” Jessica Durfee said.
Glabe enjoys the challenge of playing Cinderella. “I love it. It is hard work but is so much fun but being around such great people makes it worth it,” Glabe said.
The cast also includes Reid Meinhard, Olivia Durfee, Jason Nelson, Adelaide Grigg, Toby Heideman, Koen Eby, Grayson Helmer, Kaden Jones, Jaidynlee Kast, Charlotte Luke, Anne Turner and Michael Yiftheg. Sadie Barbin is the dressmaker.
The cast will be accompanied by instrumentalists from La Grande and Elgin high schools, as well as community members. The musicians will be directed by Alex Justice, who teaches band at LHS and La Grande Middle School.
Justice said he is delighted that vocalists will sing to a live band rather than recorded music.
“It will be a lot more fun that way,” Justice said.
