Cindy and the Disco Ball: Reviews & Currently Playing

(Cindy Cast on Shag Carpet)

Baby it's Spring! A couple of glowing reviews came out in the LA papers and I feel blessed that the show got positive reviews. I have the pleasure of sharing the stage with four amazing talents so "work" it is not, but a whole lot of fun!

Excerpt from The Burbank Leader: Tale of Cinderella Staying Alive
"Melissa Strom as Eleanor, Buddy’s disco date and Cindy’s incredibly rude and self-centered stepsister whose mood ring is perpetually black, is gorgeous, professional and more than ready for big-time witchery — say, along the lines of Mrs. Danvers in “Rebecca”? And by the way, every member of the cast can sing and dance up a storm. Back in 2005, when “Cindy and the Disco Ball” was first produced at the Falcon Theatre, it was just as much fun. This year’s production has more singing, more dancing and more dialogue..." Mary Burkin

Visit www.burbankleader.com to read full review.

(Cast with Rachael Lawrence, Musical Director and Composer)

Excerpt From The Tolucan Times: Cindy and the Disco Ball Struts Its Stuff
"Celebrating the laid-back attitude and style of the 1970s, the Falcon Theatre’s fine production of “Cindy and the Disco Ball” smartly updates “Cinderella” into an entertaining, stimulating tale for kids of all ages. Cindy (Christine Lakin) suffers harsh treatment at the hands of her manipulative step-sister Eleanor (Melissa Strom)...Strom makes Eleanor a younger, sweeter J. Lo." Mary Mallory

Click the title of this blog entry to read the full review.



Last weekend we only had two shows it being Easter weekend and all. My mom "hustled" out from Texas to see what all the Cinderella fuss was about and loved the shows. She also saw the 2005 production where Chris Prinzo, Christine Lakin and I originated our roles. It was great having her in the audience.



So funny...my orange belt broke right at the top of one of the "Own Thing" news room scene. The safety pin holding it together fell through the metal clasp and whoopsie tootsie off came the belt and landed on the floor. This is why I LOVE theatre...you have to think right on the spot, fix the oops and keep on going. One minute later, I pull out a gum chain AND that broke too! The show must go on...beltless and gum chainless...and go on we did!

Cindy and the Disco Ball Opening

[Melissa Strom, Chris Prinzo, Chrisine Lakin, Alex Miller, connie Jackson]

We opened CINDY AND THE DISCO BALL! After just two weeks of rehearsal the show opened this Saturday March 1, 2008! What a great day! Both shows were packed and the audience (young and old) really seemed to like our groovy retelling of Cinderella.
[Kirstin Eggers, Melissa Strom, Tori Avey]

After the show we had meet and greets with the audience in our costumes. Lot's of smiles, picture taking, hugs and well wishes for all who were involved. I had some friends in the audience during the second show so it was great knowing there were some familiar eyes staring back at me through the dark. I'm also thankful and proud to be a part of such a talented cast and creative team. To bring back a show, revamp it and produce it again means that people really believe in Cindy so I'm honored to be a part of this reprise.
[Melissa Strom, Julie Bwarie]

Most people don't realize that backstage during Cindy its just the actors. Our stage manager is calling the show from the light booth over head so quick changes, cues, and props are all done on the fly during the course of the show. We're zipping each other into costumes, handing each other props, rolling on and off the set pieces, listening for our cues and running in the dark to get onstage. I get to the theatre early so I can pin curl and wig cap my hair, preset everything and place my costumes for my quick changes. There are a lot of props in Cindy and the Disco Ball...magic eight balls, phones, Tiger Beat Magazine, sunglasses, gum chains, gum (Crap I forgot to put gum in my mouth at the top of the Disco Ball scene...shhhhh!) I'ts like another play going on backstage, really!
[Melissa Strom, Garry Marshall]

Holy flu attack! I am so sick...the works. I've been bed ridden for six hours today and just braved the living room/kitchen . People get the flu in March? At least I made it through opening weekend before it hit hard. Why is it that whenever I'm sick with a bug, I crave the flavor orange? Orange gatorade, orange flavored medicine, honey orange ricola, orange smoothies from Robecks? Resting up for the upcoming Cindy weekend...!

It's Girl Scout cookie time! I bought four boxes of those delicious little cookie wonders. When I went to go get cold/flu medicine at the store the troops were out in full selling force. I invited them to come see Cindy! It would be fun to have a whole troop in audience.
[Melissa Strom, Joe Leo Bwarie, Christine Lakin]

Click on the title of this blog to see more pictures of the Cindy and the Disco Ball Premiere by wire image.

So 'Fabulous': CINDY & THE DISCO BALL

The Return of the Hit Musical CINDY AND THE DISCO BALL @ Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre

Falcon Theatre is thrilled to bring back the retro retelling of Cinderella, Cindy and the Disco Ball. This all new 2008 production is bursting with more songs, more dancing and more magic— it’s more ‘70s fun than you can shake a tail feather at! I will be reprising 'Eleanor," the sassy stepsister, ... 'Fab-u-lous!'

Please click on the title of this blog entry to visit the Falcon Theatre's CINDY & the DISCO BALL show page and press release.
And come to the show! We open March 1st-may 18th!