ELY - The Ely Community Spring Musical for 2016 is the tale of Cinderella. “This production is a fresh take on a perennial favorite and features all of the familiar characters we’ve known and loved since childhood, plus some new elements that help update the story for a contemporary audience,” said Sara Skelton, artistic and staging director for the production.

Cinderella opens on Thursday, April 7, continuing for eight performances, through Saturday April 16, at the Vermilion Community College Fine Arts Theater.

“This year’s Community Spring Musical brings together elementary, middle and senior high students, college students, college faculty, and community members in a truly community collaboration, with many family groups participating on and off stage,” Skelton said.

She is joined by many stage veterans behind the scenes. Marcia Homer is the musical director, Laura Moberly is the choreographer, Peter Kess the technical designer, Laurie Kess is the costumer, and Mike Rouse is the accompanist.

Cinderella will be played by Nicole Sophia, with Logan Mann stepping up as the Prince. The Evil Stepmother is played by Karin Schmidt and the two Wicked Stepsisters are played by Natalie McDonald and Lily Sauls. The Fairy Godmother is played by Paula Madetzke. Logan’s father, Greg Mann, plays the Lord Protector, and Natalie’s father, Paul McDonald, is the Court Herald. Zach Imes is a local Peasant and Wayne Marshall, the Royal Trumpeter, while Dave O’Donnell and David Oliver step in as Dukes of the Court. Other men of the Court include Josh March and Caleb Littler, with Andrew Sauls and Cameron Kienitz as Pages.

Ladies of the Court include Sabrina Larson, Crystal Poppler, Wendy Lindsay, and Merissa Stevens, with Lily Nelson, Caty Haaverson, Grace Erickson, Cora Olson, Haley Heiner, Amelia Pluth, Hanna Littler, and Tesla Humphreys-Sales as Young Ladies of the town, all of whom are vying for the prince’s attention.

“Additionally, Senja Kess, Alison Poppler, Molly Lindsay and Tracy Thibodeaux are featured as the youngest members of the Realm, and as little mice,” Skelton said.

Cinderella opens on Thursday, April 7 and runs for eight performances through April 16 at the VCC Theater. Tickets are available through the NLAA website at northernlakesarts.org or at the door.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on April 7, 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, and will continue at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 and on April 14, 15 and 16.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for NLAA members and $8 for students (under 18). Special “family packages” are available for families of four or more (family packages are limited and only one per family).

Call the NLAA ticket office at 365-5070 and leave a message for a call-back to receive more information about the family ticket packages.

The Cinderella production is a collaboration between Northern Lakes Arts Association and Vermilion Community College and is supported with funding by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council as part of their Rural and Community Arts Project funding. “This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature’s general and arts and cultural heritage funds,” Skelton said.