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northbrooktower.com LIFE & ARTS
the northbrook tower | March 8, 2018 | 39
Northbrook students help bring ‘Cinderella’ to life
Alexa Burnell
Freelance Reporter
While glass slippers
and horse-drawn carriages
may be a thing of the
past, topics of kindness,
selflessness and redemption
are just as relevant in
2018, if not more so, than
they were centuries ago.
This is the message the
performers and director
conveyed during Christian
Heritage Academy’s
recent production of Rodgers
& Hammerstein’s
“Cinderella,” which
graced the stage Friday,
Feb. 23 and Saturday,
Feb. 24.
“The way I see it is the
stage is our laboratory
for life, and the lessons
learned here are woven
into everything we do,
reflecting our values and
belief.” Director Susan
Baliles said.
Baliles admitted that
when most think of Cinderella,
they picture
the Disney version — a
lovely blonde dressed in
rags, only to be saved by
a prince, get married and
live happily ever after by
his side. But Baliles explained
that the Rodgers
and Hammerstein version,
set in the middle ages,
portrays a strong and
powerful young woman,
admired more for her
kind heart and resistance
against evil, rather than
her ability to capture the
eye of the prince.
“Throughout history,
we see stories about a persecuted
girl who does not
give into evil,” she said.
“This is very true of Cinderella
who doesn’t allow
her stepsisters and stepmother’s
evil ways to eat
away at her. [Rodgers and
Hammerstein’s] Cinderella
has a true, servant’s
heart, thinking of others
before herself.”
For Jonathon Read,
of Northbrook, Baliles’
words and perspective
gave him a new outlook
on his role as the prince.
“I’ve always been a bit
shy about getting on stage
and singing, even though
I love it,” Reed said. “But
when I looked at my role
as a responsibility to the
fellow performers and
adopted a ‘We are all in
this together’ mindset, I
felt more confident. This
experience has taught me
to believe in myself —
something I can apply
both on and off the stage.”
Sophomore Brianna
Hudson, of Deerfield,
plays Cinderella, echoing
Baliles sentiments about
Cinderella’s strong and
selfless character.
“To me, Cinderella
is inspiring and sends a
powerful message at a
time in life when we need
it most,” Hudson said.
“She is not mean spirited
or spiteful, she returns the
evil behavior given to her
with kindness and love.
She is unwavering in her
commitment to be a beautiful
human being. Our
world could use more of
that right now.”
Sophomore Sarah Jaley,
of Glenview, plays
Cinderella’s godmother,
describing her as a role
model for Cinderella.
“The godmother is very
nurturing, wise and maternal.
She cares for Cinderella,
encouraging her to be
strong, choose kindness
and not give up hope,”
she said.
Along with the moral
lessons woven into the
plot, Baliles also teaches
her students about the
importance of each role,
saying there are no big or
small parts.
“I don’t like to call a
Cinderella, played by Deerfield resident Brianna Hudson, joins the prince, played by Northbrook’s Jonathon
Read, at the grand ball in a Christian Heritage Academy production of “Cinderella” Feb. 23 and 24. PHOTOS BY
RHONDA HOLCOMB/22ND CENTURY MEDIA
character a ‘lead’ necessarily
because this experience
isn’t about being
the star. It’s also not about
being the best,” she said.
“I do, however, expect
everyone to accept the
responsibility that comes
with their role with excellence
and perform to their
highest level,”
RIGHT: Acting in a town
scene are stepsister
Joy (left), played by
junior Gabrielle Alava,
of Northbrook; the
stepmother (center),
played by senior Casey
Muntean, of Niles; and
stepsister Portia, played
by freshman Caroline
Chung, of Glenview.