'We're Having a Ball' ready to rock

Several Redmond residents are participating in "We're Having a Ball," a 1950s rock 'n' roll-inspired Cinderella production, at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 at Rose Hill Junior High School, 13505 NE 75th St., Redmond. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors, available at the door.

This is the 10th anniversary of collaboration between the Rose Hill Elementary PTSA and Kirkland-based Studio East, as part of a six-week theatrical ArtReach! program.

Each year, Rose Hill Elementary students perform in the shows and some alumni, now attending Rose Hill Junior High, return as stage hands.

This year's group of alumni includes Jacqui Swanson, Weston Ellison, Axl Erickson and Cody Duoos.

"It's a good way to keep kids involved and allows them to have a leadership opportunity," said Director Laura Shepherd.

Redmond fourth-through-sixth graders appearing in the play include Maura and Julia Duoos, Mattie and Kelsey Crane, Sarah Richard, Aydan Davis, Chance Sweetser, Hannah Kaspar, Janet Llamas, Nick Mihas, Luke Mathews, Megan Martin, Natalie Suvak and Ronnie and Sammie Nguyen.

In "We're Having a Ball," some students play mice named for the type of cheese their character embodies, such as Limburger, a stinky mouse, and Swiss, a neutral mouse who can't make up her mind.

There are dueling narrators, The Big Cheese, a cheesy stand-up comedian, and the fairy godmother, Miss Divine Fabulous. Young Ella and Cinderella are played by two different girls who look nothing alike, which even confuses the stage characters.

The King of the Land is also the King of Rock 'n' Roll and his queen is a full-time stage mother.

The play is adapted for the stage by Deonn Ritchie, with music and lyrics by Kim Douglass, musical direction by Dan Shelhamer and choreography by Jackie Stone.

For more information, call (425) 885-9241.