Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans: A Salsa Musical (thru May 21)

Chicago Playworks (the oldest continuously operating children's theatre) is presenting the Chicago Premiere of Karen Zacarias and Debbie Wicks La Puma's " Cinderella Eats Rice And Beans: A Salsa Musical" at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre located at 60 E. Balboa Drive. It is said that there is not enough theater geared for the family, but this is a production that certainly fits the bill. This contemporary rap salsa musical has a delightful story based on a fairy tale that is familiar to us all, "Cinderella". In this version, Cinderella (Cenicienta) is a Puerto Rican exchange student at Pumpkin Junior High School. Star Alexis Velasquez is a delightful Cinderella, and while there is no stepmother and sisters, they pair Cinderella with Rosa (a dynamic, energetic performance by L'Oreal Jackson) who takes on the role of the "step-sister". There is also a "fairy Godfather" (well an almost Fairy Godfather, who's wife is at a spa, forcing him to intercede while in training) played by the very funny Desmin Borges and last but not least, the best friend (also the basketball team mascot) Joey (dancer/singer Brandon Anthony Prather seems to enjoy what he is doing and the audience loved him).

Well here is the main thrust of the new story.... Cinderella and Rosa are competing to be chosen for a special basketball team (this is where the BALL part comes in) and Coach PRINCE is coming to try them out.The story is about popularity, about being one's self, respect for yourself and for others. How should kids (adults as well) react to teasing? Do we all need to wear the same brand of shoes. The play tells us to like what we like and follow our instincts and we in fact will always be "in style".

Lisa Portes' has directed this production ,using the stage and set designed by Jaqueline A. Spencer , to its best advantage. This is a big theater and these four actors and the ensemble members behind them made the music (directed by Mark Elliot) fill the auditorium. The music is a mix of English and Spanish words and they do make it easy to understand- this is a wonderful show and one that all of Chicago should take their kids and grandchildren to see (no matter what your ethnicity) as it touches all of us.

Cinderella will run at DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre through May 21st with performances as follows: Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and can be purchase at www.ticketweb.com and www.hottix.org.

We need to find a way to have more performances and at times that are convenient for more to see. Make the phones ring off the hook 773-325-7938 or email at lgoetsch@depaul.edu. Let them know you want to see more of this type of show. Parking is available at a discount with coupons from the box office.