Young performers bring a classic ‘Cinderella’ to life at Younts Center

For Tim St. Clair, there are few theatrical projects more exciting than leading young actors through a classic musical that was written a half-century before they were born.

That’s part of the appeal of Ignite Theatrical’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella: Youth Edition,” coming to Fountain Inn’s Younts Center, Oct. 9-24. The production, directed by St. Clair and William Brown, features a cast of about 38 young performers, all 19 or younger.

“Cinderella” is a musical St. Clair has known and loved for years. He grew up watching the familiar television versions, including the Leslie Ann Warren production, and recalls seeing the show performed live as one of his early theater experiences. St. Clair serves as both stage and music director.

“I really have wanted to do a classic musical with my youth theater for a long time,” St. Clair said.

That makes “Cinderella” something of a musical education for the young cast. The Rodgers and Hammerstein score requires a different vocal approach from many of the contemporary musical-theater shows Ignite produces.

“They have to sing it a little differently,” St. Clair said. “It’s a classical style.”

The young performers have adapted well to the classic sound.

“They sound really mature and grown up,” he said.

Josiah Reffner, a longtime Ignite student, is serving as a guest student director as part of his senior project. He is helping with staging and directing while working under the mentorship of St. Clair and Brown.

Tuneful score

The “Youth Edition” is a shortened version of the musical, designed with younger audiences in mind. It remains a two-act show for regular performances, with an intermission. For school performances, the two acts will be combined into one.

Ignite will present 11 public performances over three weekends, along with two school performances. The school shows bring busloads of children from area schools and homeschool groups to the Younts Center, a format St. Clair said proved especially successful with an earlier production of “Moana.”

The production also extends beyond the stage. Ignite plans to decorate the lobby with several fairy-tale touches, adding activities and encouraging audience members to dress up.

For families, the production offers a familiar story, tuneful songs and a cast of talented young performers enthusiastically discovering the traditions of classic musical theater.