On Saturday, May 9, Pioneer Valley Ballet (PVB) brings a fresh and delightfully comic take on a beloved classic to the stage with Cinderella…With A Twist, presented for two performances at Northampton’s historic Academy of Music Theatre.
Based on the timeless European folk tale that has enchanted audiences for generations, Cinderella… With A Twist offers a playful new interpretation of the familiar story. In this charming adaptation, audiences meet a kindhearted Cinderella living under the watchful eye of her cruel Stepmother and Stepsisters – and a bookish, introverted Prince struggling to live up to royal expectations. When a magical Fairy Godmother intervenes, Cinderella and the Prince are both transformed, and the two unlikely heroes meet and fall in love at the royal ball. After the clock strikes midnight, a single glass slipper sparks a kingdom-wide search filled with adventure, laughter, and the triumph of kindness over cruelty.
Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved score, the production features whimsical costumes, beautiful scenery, and intricate choreography by PVB Artistic Directors Maryanne Kodzis and Thomas Vacanti. The cast includes professional dancers alongside hundreds of Pioneer Valley Ballet students and community performers from across Western Massachusetts.
“This production celebrates the grace, heart, and magic of classical ballet while offering something fresh and unexpected for the audience,” said Kodzis. “It’s especially meaningful to bring together so many local dancers to share this heartwarming story with our community.”
Perfect for all ages, Cinderella…With A Twist promises an afternoon of humor, heart, and a touch of mischief in one of the region’s most treasured performance venues.
Performances are scheduled for Saturday, May 9th at 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-$56 including service fees. This event is also participating in the Massachusetts Card to Culture program. Tickets to Cinderella…With A Twist can be purchased directly from the Academy of Music Theatre online at www.aomtheatre.com, in person at 274 Main Street in downtown Northampton, or by phone at 413-584-9032 ext. 105. The box office is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 3:00-6:00 p.m. and also opens one hour before each performance.
Pioneer Valley Ballet is a non-profit, mission-based organization with studios at the Eastworks building in Easthampton. Its programming includes year-round training opportunities for dancers of all ages; two annual mainstage productions with student, community, and professional dancers; and continual dance outreach to the community. For further information about Pioneer Valley Ballet, please visit www.pioneervalleyballet.org.
