A Shoestring ‘Cinderelli’ Charms at Advent Theatre

When a community group gets together to put on a show, it may be fun for those involved, but not necessarily a hot ticket for outsiders. The Advent Theatre’s shoestring production of “Cinderelli,” a “silly” musical version of the familiar tale, has its home-grown aspects, but loads of charm and a few professional actors make it a beguiling effort.

It opens with actress Kelly Hollis confiding that although she’s really a very nice person, when she plays the wicked stepmother she’ll be a real meanie, so don’t get scared. Anytime she acts really mean, Hollis says, she’ll flash the happy face garter she’s wearing, just so they’ll know it’s her. (Unfortunately, this audience-pleasing device is forgotten early on.)

Enter Cinderelli. Pamela Weed-Chavez plays the fairy tale heroine, her dainty sweetness humorously offset by Hollis’ Lady Ludicrous, and Stefanie Abrams and Deborah Curtis as the bad stepsisters, Dreary and Snivlee.

Maree Cheatham’s goofy, roller-skating fairy godmother-trainee doesn’t have much vocal power, but shows off her character’s eccentricities with comic abandon.

Ray de Leuw is fine as the haughty Grand Duke and the chorus of young children playing Cinderelli’s animal friends deserves mention for its assured singing and focus.

The play is more uneven in the shorter second act, due in part to a hodgepodge of costume choices and inexperienced young actors, but Cinderelli’s triumph is as satisfying as it should be. Playwright-director Madelyn Cain keeps a tight rein and Stephen Reinhardt’s music and lyrics please the ear.

“Cinderelli,” Advent Theatre, First Christian Church, 4390 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood, today only, 1 and 7 p.m. $6. (818) 763-9027. Running time: 50 minutes.