Maybe, too, the sight of these men unabashedly enjoying themselves as women allows us to consider with a smile changing perceptions of gender. But maybe it’s a sign of a community, intrigued to see themselves reflected in the fractured mirror Gertrude and Henrietta hold up. Perhaps that’s just the result of people recognizing their long run. While Poole, who works in higher education, and Cherry, a potter and retired teacher, make no claim to being social commentators, they do note that interest in their schtick has picked up in the last couple of years. Squint and it’s like watching Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in a sequel to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? as directed by modern day drag impresario RuPaul. With a demented smile he glares down at his unsuspecting partner’s jugular. In the wardrobe room, as Cherry spins another story, Poole lifts a long pair of scissors high over his head. They portray Gertrude and Henrietta as driven and deluded, absurdly assured of their own magnificence, yet haplessly striving for more.īackstage, they aren’t much different. “When you were born, the Louisiana Purchase was still in escrow.” Snap! Onstage and off, the duo is comically at each other’s throats. Cherry turns taking care of the most humdrum human business into an epic, noting with an expert twist of his eyebrows, “When you’re my age, there’s no NOT having to go to the bathroom.” And finally how he must squirm free of his foundational tights. How he must wrestle back the underlying hoop skirt that lends his character her imperial grandness. “But to go to the bathroom after it’s on…ugh.” He then acts out how he must lift layer upon billowy layer. Very sexy,” says Cherry, stroking his gray goatee as his eyes drink in this year’s voluminous gown. There’s no gig in our enchanted city quite like theirs. Since 1998, two men, Poole, 59, and longtime pal Tim Cherry, 69, have portrayed with flouncy abandon Gertrude and Henrietta, the stepsisters-judgmental types label them “ugly” and “evil”-in Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of Cinderella. Right now, Dennis Poole is doing what he’s celebrated for-talking smack and wiggling into women’s clothes. Heartfelt tears that will stun colleagues gathered in a wardrobe room backstage. Tickets for all events at RLT can be purchased by calling the box office (919)-821-3111, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m.Before the night is out, one of Raleigh’s most beloved actors will be in tears. “Cinderella” is sponsored by Coastal Federal Credit Union and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and runs November 30 - December 16 in the Cantey V. The audio described performance is on Sunday, December 9 at 5pm. These funds help buy warm winter coats and new toys for families in need. On opening night, November 30, $10 of every ticket went to the Salvation Army of Wake County through a partnership with WRAL’s Coats for the Children. Lauren Knott returns in the role of Cinderella along with Tim Cherry and Dennis Poole as The Ugly Stepsisters. We have some new surprises to share with our audiences including two new songs,“ said Mike McGee. While I am the director, this is a collaboration and I’m lucky to be able to partner with two of the best, Jo Li our music director and Jess Barbour our choreographer. I had the pleasure of stage managing for both our previous directors, Haskell Fitz-Simons and Rod and Nancy Rich. “I am really honored to be directing Cinderella 35 after being away from the show for a few years. “Cinderella” has been entrancing audiences of all ages for thirty-four years with its spectacles of comedic repertoire and phenomenal character dynamics. Raleigh Little Theatre presents its 35th annual production of “Cinderella,” directed by Mike McGee, running from November 30 - December 16.
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