The curtain falls for the final time tonight (May 16) for “Cinderella, The True Story”, but it is definitely the beginning for the cast and crew of the 4^th production of the Valley East Community Theatre.

Troy Lajambe, who played the part of Kylie, one of the ugly stepsisters, is being given a full make-up treatment by Nicole Fredette, the wicked witch, just prior to the opening performance on May 8.

Fredette, who has been a resident of Valley East for over 25 years is a Grade 1 French Immersion teacher at George Vanier Public School in Lively. Although it is her first production with the Valley East Community Theatre, she has always had an interest in acting.

“Acting has always been a passion of mine, and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this production,” she stated.

The “twisted version” of Cinderella required a great deal of timing and attention to the audience by the cast. They all did an excellent job of portraying their characters and demonstrated a high degree of skill in their delivery. It is clear that they should all continue to work in theatre based on their performance.

Tony Skopyk, director of the play, tried to put the accomplishment in perspective. “The paying public seldom appreciates the countless hours of hard work that each cast member and production team member puts into a show such as this. From the moment the lights go up until the final curtain, audience members are sufficiently entertained that they don’t consider the effort it takes to perform the “ballet” onstage and off.”

We agree that the cast and crew of over 40 deserve our applause for bringing  the whole thing together. The Vision Paper, on behalf of the entire community, wishes to congratulate the following:

Nicole Proulx (Cinderella); Mike Sequin (The Jester); Ron Hunneault and  Troy Lajambe (The Ugly Stepsisters); Crystal McFadden (Cinderella Double); Ron Babin (Buttons); Richard Pulsifer (Baron Hardup); Greg Deschamps (Prince Charming); Reed Mantysaari (Dandini); Manon Depatie (Fairy Godmother); Debbie Richard (Old Woman); Phil Poirier (Lord Chamberlain); Phil Chiasson (Post Man); Guy Kilganon (Assistant); Nicole Fredette (Wicked Witch); Anik Gervais (Snow White); Emilie O’bonsawin (Skunk); Carly Kozoriz (Rabbit); Glen Drew (Fox); Samantha Richard, Melanie Trottier, Mireille Leblanc and Sandra Rawn (Ballroom Dancers); and Tony Scopyk (Director).

We would also like to thank and congratulate the rest of the crew who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this such a memorable performance.

Phil Poirier (Stage Manager); Marcel Gauthier (Producer); Ron Glasford (Technical Manager); Debbie Richard (Technical Director); Marco & Denis Thibodeau, Phil & Alain Chiasson, Alain Vaillancourt and Randy Gibson (Lighting); Colette Proulx (Set Design); Alain Lefebvre, Angie McBride, Joanne Morin, Nicole Proulx, Melanie Portelance, Joel Proulx and Tina Giroux (Set Painters); Jeannine Villeneuve, Natalie Perrin and Chantale Perrin (Props); Anne Pelland (Costume designer); Murielle Lalonde, Sue Lapointe and Trudy Boyd (Costume Assistants); Lianne Cousineau and Nicole Fredette (Make-up); Claire Lemieux (Hairstylist); Lynda Godin (Front of the House Director); Sharon Boyuk, Jeanne & Marcel Rainville, Francois Ste-Marie, Joel Leblanc, Eric Miron, Eric Beauchesne, Melanie Vouriot, Michelle & Rick Godin, J.P. Courtemanche, Lianne Godin, Kayla Lapointe, Carole & Kelly Hawes, Sylvie Ste-Marie and Colette Proulx (Front of the House Staff); Elide Gilbert and Eliane Fournier (Advertising); Carole Hawes (Ticket Sales); Janet Guthrie (Artist - Caricature); Andree-Ann Kingsley and Aimee Desrochers (Video).

Congratulations to all of the above and a special thank you to all who took the time to attend the performance.

The Valley East Community Theatre is presently preparing for the next production to be presented in the fall of 2001. This will be a French play called “A Votre Sante”, written and directed by Richard Pulsifer, who played the Baron in Cinderella.