FHS Theatre adds dark twist to ‘Cinderella’
Pictured left to right are stepsister, Ruth (Faith Chef), Mother (Rylee Burkhart), stepsister Judith (Annelise Mason) and Ashgirl (Kadence Johnson) in Flathead High School Theatre Department's production of "The Ash Girl."
Ashgirl (Kadence Johnson) (foreground) and Sadness (Ella McGuffie) appear in Flathead High School Theatre Department's production of "The Ash Girl."
The Flathead High School Theatre Department will present a contemporary twist to Cinderella with “The Ash Girl” April 29, 30 and May 1 at 6:27 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Theatre at FHS.
For safe social distancing the audience will be capped at 30% capacity. Advanced ticket sales are limited to two tickets per participating student for each performance. If any tickets are still available performance nights, they will be sold at the door. All audience members are required to wear a mask.
With her mother dead and her father away, the Ash Girl lives deep in the protection of the ashes in a manor house with her stepmother and two stepsisters. When an invitation to the royal ball arrives, Ash Girl begins a journey of self-discovery that leads her deep into the forest at midnight where she fights her own demons in the form of the seven deadly sins.
“I would recommend this show for an older audience … teenagers and adults,” director Patty Hodges said. “The show broaches more mature topics like depression, mental illness and suicidal intentions,” “It is also much darker and eerie, which could make younger audience members uneasy.
“This play isn't a sugar-coated fairy tale,” Hodges said. “This version acknowledges the more ruthless origins of most folk tales.”
This special production of “The Ash Girl” is over a year in the making. After two weeks of rehearsal last spring, the production was delayed as COVID-19 hit and schools closed.
“The cast looks a little different than last spring, as we had some seniors graduate and some who couldn't fit the production into their schedule” Hodges said. “I am just so impressed with their resiliency and commitment. They given it their all.”
The cast includes Faith Cheff, Annelise Mason, Kadence Johnson, Rylee Burkhart, Olivia McRae, Connor Bullins, Kelvin Dixon, Benjamin Hudson, Athena Wallace, Jasmine Anderson, Elliot Brown, Connor Adcox, Sean Struble, Ella McGuffie, Hannah Greene, Alan Taylor, Ryan Tiet, Aiden Christy, Shelbie Guckenberg, Bethany Nairn, Jacob McLauchlin, Evelyn Smith, Bethany Armstrong, Adina Lockwood, Madisyn Hall, Aerreck Haroldson, Tag Schow, Jax Stebbins-Han and Robert Steffler.
The technical crew includes Daniel Edelen, Olive Lyngholm, Lydia Wood, Cassie Cattron, Kyrie Chollman, Kay Gibbs, Isabelle James, Sophia Himsl, Daniel Dorsett Jr., Rylee Houser, Seda Ramsay, Emmerson Kasemen, Deanna Wessels-Crow, Kara Ort, Cassiopeia Wessels-Crow, Dawson Chambers, Cami Kugler, Emmary Faerber, Domminik Griffith, Rachel Ottman, Kennedy Dortch, Brooklyn Plum, Emma Sacher, Abby Castruita and Siarah Holden.
