Opening tonight at the King Arts Complex is the Cinderella story not many have heard, but probably should.
“Zuharah: An African Folk Tale” is the contemporary twist on the traditional Cinderella fable. Only this time, she finds beauty and strength within herself, instead of asking a fairy godmother for a dress and pumpkin carriage.
Zuharah’s tale takes the audience back hundreds of years to a village in Africa where audience members follow the struggles of a young girl.
“When I first approached the complex about writing an African version of Cinderella, they immediately signed on to the idea,” said writer and director James Chapmyn. “But as I began the process, I quickly realized that the story I needed to tell was nothing about retelling a story as it was about redefining a fantasy. ‘Zuharah’ is a Cinderella story in the literary sense, but in reality it is a new story about a warrior woman who struggles within herself to see her own beauty and strength so everyone else can see it. Her prince Charming is affirmation as opposed to validation. She is a women in full control of her fate and her battles are fought and won by her, but not necessarily for her,” he said.
In Chapmyn’s version, Zuharah’s home life is also changed to create positive human images.
“I believe Cinderella’s family situation to be considered flawed in contemporary culture standards,” Chapmyn said. “Her alternative family arrangement is depicted as negative and more and more today, especially in communities of culture, these arrangements are very common.”
“Zuharah: An African Folk Tale” is this year’s youth production for the complex. Thirteen local Columbus students, whose ages range from 3-18 make up the “Zuharah” company. Not only do the children actors benefit from learning Zuharah’s story, they also benefit from participating in the production itself.
“This production instills and creates an appreciation for theater and the arts in our youth,” said program coordinator Jennifer Miller. “It also presents great opportunities that these children may not receive otherwise.”
Co-director Angela Barch agrees.
“Theater teaches these kids confidence, independence and the ability to stand and speak in front of their peers. It also teaches them language, culture, research, cooperative, dance and stage skills. I find it amazing that in a short production of one hour and fifteen minutes, they can take away all of that,” she said.
Although “Zuharah” is a youth production and an African folk tale, it speaks to audiences of all ages and encourages all cultures.
“I feel that even today we are still so inundated with exterior beauty,” Barch said. “But Zuharah just yells ‘stop’ to this thinking. She shows us that we are so much more than what we see in the mirror and that if we start with the inside, all beauty will show through.”
Tonight’s production is one of many media’s. It incorporates recorded music, two short films by Luke Jacobs, live drumming, dancing and audience participation as well.
” ‘Zuharah’ is the woman our girls should want to grow up to be and the girl our boys should want to marry,” Chapmyn said.
“Zuharah: An African Folk Tale” opens at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the King Arts Complex. Admission is $5 for students with a valid ID.
