With founder Bobbi Smith at the helm, Talent Machine Company opens its 12th summer season June 22 with "Cinderella," featuring a cast of 40 children.
Smith serves as director and choreographer, guaranteeing a production that showcases the young talent.
This is the first of Talent Machine Company's two summer shows. Next month, a 23-member cast, ages 12 to 19, will present the first Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice collaboration, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
TMC is known for offering fresh approaches to familiar shows. This version of the fairytale "Cinderella" is tweaked with humor and unusual character twists. There will be some new music as well as classics presented in new ways, and original and exciting choreography - a hallmark of Smith's productions.
Although the cast of "Cinderella" is made up of 5- to 14-year-olds, many are veterans of TMC and community shows.
Cinderella will be played by 13-year-old Kelly Brown of Severna Park. Kelly has been in seven TMC shows, including "The Wiz" and "Peter Pan."
The prince will be played by 14-year-old Steve Love of Bowie, who last appeared in TMC's "42nd Street" in the role of dance captain Andy Lee.
Steve was also in TMC productions in 1997 and 1998.
The Fairy Godmother will be played by 12-year-old Rikki Gimelstob of Severna Park.
Rikki will be appearing in her 10th TMC show.
The loud and bumbling stepmother will be portrayed by TMC veteran Rachel Scott, 12, of Severna Park, and Cinderella's nasty stepsisters by 13-year-old Karen Sebold of Crofton and 14-year-old Melissa Bordenski of Pasadena.
The clumsy step-sisters are expected to make a memorable entrance at the ball.
TMC veterans Andrew Sonntag, 14, of Annapolis and Devin Arbogast, 12, of Crofton will portray two comical pages who make constant announcements to the villagers.
The king will be played by 12-year-old Sam Smith of Annapolis and the queen by 13-year-old Danae Saklas of Davidsonville.
New musical numbers will be performed by the mice, cats and the royal family.
Performances will be at Key Auditorium at St. John's College, 60 College Ave. in Annapolis.
Opening night will be the show's only Thursday performance. Other performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays through July 15. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 410-956-0512.