'Shoe' a different look at 'Cinderella' story

The story of "Cinderella" is an undisputed classic fairy tale.

The Magic Theatre's production of "If the Shoe Fits: A Cinderella Story," which begins Saturday, retains the major plot details — but with a twist.

In this version of the "Cinderella" story, everyone is ugly while Cinderella herself is beautiful. The only way she can go to the prince's ball is to be ugly herself.

"It's a play on the notions of beauty," said John Trent, the play's writer and director. "(The twist) is a backward thing, and plays on the notion of beauty being only skin deep."

In the original "Cinderella" story, the title character is a young girl who, through unfortunate circumstances, is forced to be a maid to her evil stepmother and her wicked stepsisters.

One day, the stepmother and stepsisters are invited to a grand ball by the prince. A fairy godmother appears and gives Cinderella a dress, allowing her to go, but the magic is temporary.

While at the ball, she enchants the prince. But Cinderella must rush home, leaving behind a glass slipper. The prince recovers the slipper and begins seeking out Cinderella.

"I liked the idea of making the story of 'Cinderella' being similar to 'Beauty and the Beast,'" Trent said. "The 'Cinderella' story has lasted as long as it has because everyone is fascinated with the idea of the girl getting the prince."

The cast of "If the Shoe Fits" includes Bethany Harris and Sydney Johnson as both the ugly and normal Cinderella; Courtney Williams as Varney; Kathleen Hansen as the Evil Stepmother; Heather Cowell as Ghoulzilla; Cristina Louk as Ickmirellda; Betsy Johnson as the Old Hag; Tad Crother as the Prince; Mike Pugh as Slugworth; and Holly Trent as Bush.

"If the Shoe Fits" is "a different look at the 'Cinderella' story," Trent said.