When Diane Geragotelis first started tinkering with the idea of her dance students performing, “Cinderella,” she began listening to the classical score from the original ballet production and came to a realization.
“I was like, ‘Oh, gosh, this is so moody, so dark,’ ” Geragotelis said. “The ballet is really a dark ballet and the music so moody.
“I thought, ‘Ah, that’s why I haven’t done it in 17 years.’ ”
Out of the darkness, Geragotelis saw the light. She decided to splice together bits and pieces of other works to create her own upbeat melded musical score of the classic fairy tale that is both light-hearted and funny.
The result is The Ballet Slipper Conservatory production, “Cinderella,” which will be performed this weekend at Oak Harbor High School.
It’s the first time in the 21st century that Geragotelis has attempted to try “Cinderella” with her ballet students from the Oak Harbor dance studio that she started in 1991.
“I really had my heart set on Cinderella but wished the music was more like Rodgers and Hammerstein,” she said. “Then I thought, ‘Why can’t I?’”
So she did.
She matched the dance steps and beats in her head to the Cinderella music that she liked, including a karaoke version from Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Coincidentally, Geragotelis’ sister, Rusty Hendrix, is directing a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “South Pacific,” at the Whidbey Playhouse this month.
“She’s got a script,” Geragotelis joked. “I have no script.”
What will be seen on the high school student union building stage this weekend is all a creation from Geragotelis’ mind from the dance steps to the music to the wardrobe. She made or altered most of the costumes that will be worn by the cast of 44.
The cast is mostly made up of children but also includes adults, including Kumi Kosbar, who is playing the role of the stepmother.
Alyssa McLeod is playing Cinderella. She is 13.
Most of the main characters are played by teens: Elsa Hritz is the Fairy Godmother, Christian Yenna, Prince Charming, and Emily Evans and Elizabeth Fitzgerald the stepsisters who are bound to draw a few laughs.
“I want kids to understand that ballet is not only what they think it is in their heads,” Geragotelis said. “People don’t realize ballet can be funny.
“By doing something funny like this you can get kids so involved in the arts.”
Rehearsals started in late January and continued once a week each Saturday at the studio.
Even a major event in Geragotelis’ family last month didn’t disrupt the rehearsal schedule.
On the eve of Mother’s Day, Geragotelis got a phone call from Southern California.
Her daughter Brittany, who was expecting her first child, unexpectedly had her water break weeks ahead of schedule.
A day later, she received a Mother’s Day gift like none other — a baby boy named Huck — and grandma had arrived in time to experience the birth and cut the umbilical cord.
Diane Geragotelis got back to Oak Harbor in time for the next rehearsal.
Showtime
Three ballet performances of “Cinderella” by The Ballet Slipper Conservatory will take place over two days — Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19, at Oak Harbor High School’s Student Union Building.
Saturday performances are 2 and 7 p.m. while Sunday’s is 2 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children (up to 18) and seniors (60 and over) and are available at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce office at 32630 State Highway 20.
