If the shoe fits, come to the opera! Opera Baltimore presents the Towson University Opera Outreach Ensemble in a charming contemporary version of the beloved fairy tale, Cinderella with music from the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan and book by Grace Kane and Tess Huth. The opera is appropriate for all ages. Themes of empowerment, self-esteem, kindness, and striving for goodness abound in this fast-paced fun-filled 45-minute opera.

Cinderella is a young woman who loves to read. Consigned to a life of drudgery in a loveless household, she desires only to join her stepsisters and stepmother at the royal ball which has been announced to the kingdom by Harold, the Herald. Cinderella's stepmother squashes her hopes of attending the ball telling her that the things we want most in life are not what they seem and that she is not refined enough to attend. King Gerald convinces The Prince that a ball is just the thing to help him find a future queen and take his rightful place. The Prince, like Cinderella, loves to read and wants little to do with his royal lineage, balls, and elaborate festivities. He dreams of dashing adventures far away from court. At the ball the clumsy stepsisters make advances to the Prince but are soon overshadowed by the entrance of a mysterious masked guest, Cinderella, who has been able to attend thanks to the help of her Fairy Godmother's magical powers. Escaping the ball and its pretentions, The Prince and Cinderella meet in the garden and learn that they are both reading the same book. There is an instant connection between them. As the clock strikes midnight Cinderella leaves hurriedly, heeding her Godmother's warning that her disguise would fade at the stroke of twelve. In her haste, she loses a shoe, the only clue the Prince has to find this mystery guest. Searching throughout the kingdom for the woman who fits the shoe, the Prince ends up at Cinderella's. The step-sisters are determined to make the shoe fit and garner a royal seat, but only Cinderella's foot fits the shoe to the dismay of everyone. However, it is for Cinderella to decide if she will follow the Prince. Fairytales may have us believe that choices are made for us, especially young women, but, as Cinderella has learned from reading and imagination, "We make our own magic!"

• Cinderella: An Opera for Children

• Music from the Operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan

• Book by Grace Kane and Tess Huth

• Production by Towson University Opera Outreach

• Producer & Director: Phillip Collister

• Pianist: Ka Nyoung Yoo

Musical selections from the following operettas:

• The Mikado

• The Sorcerer

• Ruddigore

• The Pirates of Penzance

• Iolanthe

• The Gondoliers

• H.MS. Pinafore

• Grand Duke