“Cinderoncé,” the Triple 7 Dance Company’s rendition of ‘Cinderella’ featuring the music of Beyoncé, is coming to Ferst Center for the Arts this weekend only.
Set in the medieval period, the nearly two-hour show takes the classic fairy tale about a poor young girl who finds her Prince Charming at a ball, after being tormented by her stepfamily.
In this rendition, the story is refreshed with the powerhouse anthems like “Diva,” “Freakum Dress” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” by the superstar singer.
Credit: Nyah Collins
Credit: Nyah Collins
“Cinderoncé” features over 200 dancers performing ballet, tap, jazz, modern and hip-hop choreography to 20 of Beyoncé’s songs. This is the Snellville-based dance company’s second year adapting the children’s story.
Inspired by YouTube personality Todrick Hall’s 2013 eight-minute music video, Triple 7 Dance Company founder and artistic director Tamara Whitehead expanded the story in 2022. She dressed the young ladies in medieval gowns and wigs for dance competitions, distinguishing her students from other competing teams and earning the troupe numerous top honors after impressing judges.
Credit: Nyah Collins
Credit: Nyah Collins
“When they saw chocolate children on that stage, it looked like they were performing a classical piece. It made them more intrigued to see what the dancers were going to do next,” Whitehead told UATL.
“That was the out-of-box thinking that we needed to stand out, and we always won, performed well or were always first in the category.”
Whitehead, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, before coming to Atlanta in 1995, began writing the script in 2022 while visiting Las Vegas with some of her dancers. During the process she cut dialogue from the original script and replaced it with up-tempo Beyoncé songs like “Sweet Dreams” and the ballads “Dangerously in Love” and “My Power.”
Whitehead, who danced on Broadway and toured with musicians before founding Triple 7 Dance Company with seven others in 2002, said developing “Cinderoncé” was her way of producing and experimenting with contemporary musical theater that might pique young dancers’ interest.
“The kids were sick of doing ‘The Wiz.’ We tried ‘The Lion King,’ and it just didn’t work,” she said.
“We try to stay creative. I like to take chances, so I’m willing to make a change if I have to.”
To prepare for “Cinderoncé,” Whitehead held long rehearsals, had singers rerecord their vocals, gave them assigned spots on stage and intentionally made sporadic changes to the routines to keep the students alert.
Using dance and theater vocabulary during rehearsals, Whitehead said her teaching style prepares dancers to work professionally.
“I speak in terms of the stage, because it teaches them to go to the highest level if they’re going to do it,” she said.
“I like to expose the dancers to more than just dance, but show them where dance fits in other communities and parts of their lives.”
Credit: Nyah Collins
Credit: Nyah Collins
Several of Whitehead’s former students continue to work at Triple 7 Dance Company. Candis Osborne, co-director of “Cinderoncé” and one of Triple 7’s original seven members, has her infant daughter in the show.
Osborne said Whitehead’s selflessness and guidance teaches kids how to become working professionals and productive citizens.
“It’s not just a dance school or program. This is a family that teaches kids to be responsible and respectful human beings,” she said.
“She always gives so much of herself, and we’ve all gone on to do things that cover the spectrum of the arts.”
Talia Evans, an Atlanta native who’s 18 and has been part of Triple 7 Dance Company since she was four years old, has performed as Cinderella in “Cinderoncé” in both productions. She said preparing for a performance to Beyoncé’s music doesn’t feel tedious, despite the exhaustive rehearsal schedule.
“It keeps the show fun, and it’s music that we actually like. We’re not grunting if we hear the songs one more time,” Evans said.
Decatur native Robert Walker Jr, who’s reprising his role as the prince, said the cast takes pride in working hard to make sure “Cinderoncé” is a great show.
“It’s us having fun onstage. As many times as we do it, we might get tired of a certain part, or not like to do one thing the most, but we’re here to introduce this magic and present this great experience to the audience,” he said.
5 p.m. Jan. 18-19, 2025. Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-894-9600. tickets.arts.gatech.edu
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