Having been launched last fall, the Forbeez Theatre Group is excited to be prepping to present the musical Cinderella Rockerfella next month.
“Everybody is so excited - I can see that with the kids; each week their performances are a little bit more elevated,” explained Alison Forbes, director and founder of the group along with her husband Ross.
Performances will be held at the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre on April 14 and 15.
Curtain is at 7 p.m. on April 14-15 plus there will be a matinee show at 2 p.m. on April 15.
About 20 kids from Grades 4 to 7 are a part of the troupe.
“Sometimes, I just can’t believe that we are actually doing this - we’ve been so, so busy,” she said, adding that many of the youth have multiple roles for the Cinderella Rockerfella show.
It’s a bit of a challenge but the troupe has taken it on and done brilliantly, said Allison.
“They adapt so well, they are so keen. They take it in their stride,” she said, adding that she and her husband both have roles in the show as well. Alison has more than 30 years of experience in the theatrical industry.
She is also a teacher by trade, so the opportunity to mentor and guide youth in this way is really a dream come true, she said, adding that she would run after-school clubs in Scotland prior to her family’s move to Canada seven years ago.
“I also now have a team of moms helping us who are just superb - they’ve been making props and painting the sets. They are helping out with the shows in many ways - they are amazing.
“I’m so grateful to have them, and already I have names on a pre-registration list for next year,” she added. “So we will already have that network built up, so that is just superb.”
Meanwhile, the play is described as a ‘modern, panto-style re-working of a classic tale’.
“It’s a traditional pantomime, with the good fairy godmother and the baddy fairy Nastyboots,” explained Alison.
“Cinderella is her good and honest self, with her horrid step sisters Augustina and Anastacia.
“And then there is Rockerfella, or Rocky, who is a rock star who decides he’s had enough of the rock star life and wants to give it all up,” she said.
The production features nine songs and fun, comical dialogue.
“It just makes me smile,” said Allison, reflecting on how the troupe has evolved over the past several months. “It is a dream come true - absolutely it is. And I’m amazed by the support from the community,” she said.
“Lots of people have said that they are so glad we are doing this in Lacombe - for the community group of kids because theatre really gives youth so much,” she explained.
“The confidence that I see now in these kids is astonishing. It’s amazing to see. I can see it in them. They’ve also made friends - they have new friends in this group which - with them going forward into junior and senior high - will be invaluable for them,” she said. “I think that is really important for them, and something that will really help them through.”
For more about the Forbeez Theatre Group, go to www.forbeez.ca, email forbeeztheatregroup@gmail.com, or call 780-340-3047.
As mentioned, for all the latest updates, find them on Facebook as well.