Flathead students tell 'Cinderella' story

Flathead High School Theatre begins the 2013-14 season with a production for the young and the young at heart with “Code Name: Cinderella,” a fairy tale classic with a modern twist.

The show starts tonight and continues Friday and Saturday in the David M. Hashley Theatre at Flathead High. Show time is 7 p.m. 

Admission to this special production is free with donations to Intermountain Providence Home in Kalispell accepted at the door.

“Code Name: Cinderella,” an original play written by Flathead senior Dana Pfeifer, tells the story of a young woman named Selena. Selena is persuaded by her evil stepmother, Mrs. Tremaine, to rob a jewelry store in order to help a couple of orphans, Jack and Gussie. Selena justifies her actions by concluding that the robbery is really helping someone in need.

After the break-in, Selena learns that her double-crossing stepmother is planning on exposing her as the thief. Selena rushes to the ball at the museum in order to tell the police about Tremaine’s plan to rob the museum and frame her.

“Throughout the play, Selena is conflicted on whether or not she is a good influence on Jack and Gussie and how she can make everything right. The moral of the play is the end doesn't justify the means. I want people to be reminded that doing bad to help someone doesn't actually help anyone at all,” said Pfeifer, who not only wrote the script but is also directing the production.

“We wanted to take one of our favorite childhood classics, ‘Cinderella,’ and take a fresh new perspective that all ages will enjoy.”

With flying gear, smoke machines and moving lights, the fast-paced script will whisk the audience into this fairy tale remake while Selena and Grayson dance the night away.

Pfeifer is producing and directing “Code Name: Cinderella” as part of her International Baccalaureate 30-hour CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) project.

Zach Timm, also a senior at Flathead, edited the play and has been Pfeifer’s right-hand man during the production. As editor and assistant director, Timm is using the production to fulfill one of his independent IB theater projects. The IB curriculum encourages world culture education, conceptual and problem-solving skills as well as an extremely rigorous work schedule.

“This is the fourth time an IB student has taken on a project of this size,” said Wendy Putzler, director of Flathead High School Theatre. “Directing and producing a full-length project that is entirely student generated is monumental.

“Dana began writing the script in November 2012 and cast the play in July. The full team has been in the production process for just over six weeks.”

With the script in mind, the cast and crew have selected the Intermountain Providence Home in Kalispell as their beneficiary. All donations received at the door of this production will go directly to Intermountain.

“Intermountain helps children who are just like the characters Jack and Gussie,” Pfeifer said. “I wanted to relate the charity to the show. I hope that the donations allow the kids to experience the wonderful community that I grew up in.”

The cast of “Code Name: Cinderella” includes Brittany Kretske, Jaben Wood, Laina Seelye Mothershead, Jade Legassey, Jackson Davey, Mackenzie Williams, Katie Keller, Keston Hemsley, Elena Ploot, Micah Rayeann Liehr, Ethan Timm, Makayla Dillon, Quinten Graham, Paige Swindle, Cassidy Brown, Ciana McConnell, Heidi Griffin, Alexandra Zografos, Tanner Mack and Noah Bodenhamer.

Behind the scenes, McKenna Miller, Cassi Boozell, James Early, Beki Hafemyer, Jenna Wilke, Emily Brown, Jayce Gorder, Micah Moore and Kaylee Henderson make up the stage, lighting, choreography and sound crew.