AUGUST 7, 2013
A Delightful Musical Tale by Gerry Cullity!
SCOTTSDALE – Desert Stages Theatre draws the curtains for another sensational season and presents its opening production, Gerry Cullity’s Cinderella: A Ragtime Musical. The new season delivers this premier On Stage production, transforming Cullity Hall into a rags-to-riches, inspirational journey Fri., Aug. 23 – Sun., Sept. 22.
Cullity put a ragtime spin on the timeless story of a long-suffering step-sister, a choosy prince and a glass slipper. Set in turn-of-last-century New York City during the height of immigration, Cullity's delightful characters are those coming to the New World with dreams of starting a new life in a foreign land. Cinderella: A Ragtime Musical is a charming tale of love and achieving the heart’s desire. Cullity was cofounder of Desert Stages Theatre, launching the active community playhouse in 1995.
Holding true to tradition, DST presents at least one Gerry Cullity original production each season to honor him. Cinderella: A Ragtime Musical debuts as the first production of the new On Stage series, a series created to engage the youngest actors, ages 3 all the way to 19, depending on show requirements. Cinderella also opens the much anticipated 2013-2014 DST season.
History. Cinderella: A Ragtime Musical was written by the talented Gerry Cullity. His creative vision and artistic insight on all things theatre led this talented man to the tale of Cinderella: A Ragtime Musical, a Desert Stages Theatre favorite. With several revivals, this musical treasure has earned a strong following among DST patrons and fans.
Tickets Online and by Phone. Tickets are available at www.DesertStages.org; or by phone, 480.483.1664, and also at the theatre box office, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road, north side of Scottsdale Fashion Square, next to the former Coco’s restaurant. Tickets are $15.
About Desert Stages Theatre. A bustling community playhouse, Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3, founded in 1995, and delivers performances year round. Four show schedules occur throughout the year: Actor’s Café performances in the intimate, proscenium-style 65-seat theatre; Mainstage Series in Cullity Hall, an inventive 140-seat theatre-in-the-round; On Stage Children’s Series for ages 3-19, and Next Stage Series for 12-19, both also performed in Cullity Hall. DST also operates a theatrical academy (Center Stage, among many other classes), regularly hosts talent shows (Show Your Stuff) and offers a variety of music, dance and other classes open to the community. DST is led by co-founder, executive director and artistic director, Laurie Cullity. Additional co-founders are Joan Thompson and the late Gerry Cullity. Included in each DST season are children’s productions of original scripts, musical scores and lyrics by co-founder Cullity whose works are still relished eight years after his passing. Desert Stages has developed thousands of thespians, young and old, many with compelling personal stories of triumph and major stage success, all of whom perform at DST for the pure love of the theatre.
