Nine O’Clock Players Re-Opens Its Doors with “Cinderella: The True Story”

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After being forced to close its doors when the pandemic struck, and remaining dark for more than two-and-a-half years, the multi-award-winning Nine O’Clock Players re-opens the Assistance League Theater Sunday, March 5th, 2023 with the live production of “Cinderella: The True Story,” a magical musical look at the timeless children’s story.

Based on the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella: The True Story” presents the kind-hearted Cinderella, who fights for a world where everyone – from tailors to kings – learns that bigger isn’t always better and that to truly be rich we should share what we have. A delightful musical production with singing, dancing, princes in disguise, and a fairy godmother who doesn’t always get things right.

“Cinderella: The True Story” features book and lyrics by Scott Guy, music by Nick DeGregorio, musical direction by Scott Anthony, and direction by Eric Michaud.

Director Eric Michaud (he/him) is an LA based performer, director, and choreographer who has had the pleasure of working all over the world. Favorite credits include “Thrones! The Musical” (Sydney Opera House), “Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody” (London), “Teaching a Robot to Love” (Hollywood Fringe, Winner: Broadway World Regional Award for Best Choreography) and performing as a member of “Quick and Funny Musicals” at Upright Citizens Brigade here in LA.

“We are thrilled to continue our 90+ year tradition of bringing extraordinary children’s theatre to Southern California’s students and their families, teachers, and caregivers,” shares “Cinderella: The True Story” producer, Rachel Wecht.

Opening Day will take place on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 2 p.m. Other performances are on Sundays, March 12th,19th, 26th and April 2nd. All performances are at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $15. Special group rates and birthday party rates are available.

For tickets to Cinderella: The True Story please call (323) 545-6153 or visit www.nineoclockplayers.com or www.brownpapertickets.com to purchase tickets online. The Assistance League Theatre is located in Hollywood at 1367 N. St. Andrews Place.

The multi-award-winning Nine O’Clock Players pivoted with the COVID-19 pandemic and regional school remote-learning directives by launching the “Magical Theatre Experience,” a streaming digital series for teachers and parents. The “Magical Theatre Experience” provided unique video content to support learning in language and performing arts at no cost to viewers.

Building on its ninety-year history of performing live theatre of classic children’s literature for LA-area schoolchildren and families, the Nine O’Clock Players adapted and enriched videos of live performances with hosted interactive segments that engage children to think critically about what they see on stage and on screen.

In addition to hosted video performances, Nine O’Clock Players also released a series of original, behind-the-scenes educational videos that taught the basics theatre production, such as costumes, makeup, acting, choreography, set design, sound, lighting, and theatre etiquette. The entire “Magical Theatre Experience” continues to be available to teachers and parents at no cost via YouTube.

“When Covid-19 closed our production, we knew we had to find an alternative way to bring the magic of live theatre into the homes of LA-area students. For 90% of the children we serve, our shows are their only chance to experience live theatre,” said Diane Hilty, chair of Nine O’Clock Players, an auxiliary of Assistance League of Los Angeles. “The Magical Theatre Experience” not only brings videos of past productions to children learning at home, but also takes them on behind-the-scenes deep dives through educational videos that teach all the key aspects of a live theatrical production. We were thrilled to offer this service while the pandemic was in full force and even more excited to now to share both a live production and complementary video resources.”

Nine O’Clock Players (NOP) has been producing plays since 1929 and is the oldest children’s theatre company in Southern California. The award-winning NOP stages performances throughout the school year – providing live theatre for thousands of Title 1 students as well as public, private, parochial, and homeschool students in greater Los Angeles. Productions are offered to school groups during the week, and to the public on weekends. Revenue from weekend performances support NOP’s ability to offer shows and bus transportation at no cost to economically and physically challenged children. Built in 1938, the Assistance League Theatre is the oldest redwood barn theatre west of the Mississippi River.

Assistance League® of Los Angeles was formed in 1919, when a group of 13 women organized to provide food and clothing for families adversely impacted by World War I.  For over 100 years, the League has continued to improve the quality of life for low-income youth in Los Angeles.  The League’s programs remove barriers to education for thousands of underserved Los Angeles youth, providing education, shoes, clothing, books and an introduction to the arts. For more information, visit www.assistanceleaguela.org.

To access the “Magical Theatre Experience” performance videos and modular content, teachers and parents should subscribe to the Nine O’Clock Players YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/R4gQoWGDwSI.

To be added to the mailing list for future announcements, teachers and parents should please send an email with name, email address, school (if applicable) and grade level (if applicable) to: [email protected].

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