Cinderella: A Timeless Classic

San Francisco Ballet premiered the Company's first full-length production of Cinderella in 1973 as part of Michael Smuin's first year as Associate Artistic Director of SF Ballet. Smuin and then-Artistic Director Lew Christensen collaborated to choreograph their joint vision for Cinderella, which remained an active part of the Company's repertory until 1985. Cinderella would also end up being the final full-length story ballet that Lew Christensen choreographed.

Set to Sergei Prokofiev's magnificent score, Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella featured scenic and costume designs by Robert Fletcher, prolific ballet, opera, and three-time Tony Award nominated designer. Fletcher designed the sets and costumes in the style of trompe l’oeil architecture (using visual illusions) and Mannerist paintings, but the ballet itself cannot be tied to any particular period or style by intent. In 1984, new costumes for select characters (Cinderella, the Prince, Fairy Godmother, and the Seasons) were designed by Sandra Woodall.

On December 7, 1985, the ballet was televised on KQED as part of the PBS television series, Great Performances: Dance in America. This was presented as part of a holiday programming special hosted by "noted balletomanes" Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, offering introductions and commentary during the intermissions and breaks. The PBS telecast, the fourth featuring San Francisco Ballet, starred Evelyn Cisneros as Cinderella, Alexander Topciy as the Prince, Tomm Ruud and Vane Vest as the Stepsisters Lucretia and Anastasia respectively, with Anita Paciotti as the Stepmother and Val Caniparoli as Cinderella’s Father.

Promotional image of Vane Vest as Anastacia and Tomm Ruud as Lucretia, Cinderella's Stepsisters, in Lew Christensen and Michael Smuin's Cinderella, 1984

Photographer: Bonnie Kamin

Evelyn Cisneros as Cinderella and Alexander Topciy as the Prince in a publicity portrait for Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1984–1985 

Photographer: Bonnie Kamin 

Gina Ness as Cinderella with Vane Vest and Tomm Ruud as the Stepsisters in a publicity portrait for Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1984–1985 

Photographer: William Acheson 

San Francisco Ballet in Lew Christensen and Michael Smuin's Cinderella, 1973. Pictured (L-R) Gary Moore as Father, Anita Paciotti as Mother, Diana Weber as Cinderella, Nicholas Cate as Tailor, Daniell Simmons as Dumpty, Anton Ness as Skinny, Jane Kelly as Helper, Margaret McLaughlin as Helper, Jerome Weiss as Dressmaker, and Roberta Pfiel as Hairdresser.

Photographer: Unknown 

Paula Tracy as the Fairy Godmother in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, 1973 

Photographer: Unknown 

Lynda Meyer and Vane Vest with two dancers as carriage horses in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1977 

Photographer: Unknown 

San Francisco Ballet School Students as the Guardians of Midnight in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, 1984 

Photographer: William Acheson 

Gina Ness as Cinderella and Alexander Topciy as the Prince in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1984–1985 

Photographer: William Acheson

Evelyn Cisneros as Cinderella and David Peregrine as the Prince in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1984–1985 

Photographer: Lloyd Englert 

Gina Ness as Cinderella and Alexander Topciy as the Prince in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1984–1985 

Photographer: Lloyd Englert 

Evelyn Cisneros as Cinderella in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1984–1985 

Photographer: Lloyd Englert 

San Francisco Ballet in Lew Christensen and Michael Smuin's Cinderella, 1984. Dancers pictured include Augusta Moore as the Stepmother, Vane Vest as Stepsister Anastasia, Tomm Ruud as Stepsister Lucretia, and Andre Reyes as the Prince's companion.

Photographer: Lloyd Englert

Lynda Meyer as Cinderella and Vane Vest as the Prince with Anita Paciotti as the Stepmother, Daniel Simmons and Anton Ness as the Stepsisters in Christensen and Smuin's Cinderella, circa 1977 

Photographer: Unknown