When Katie Walker’s mother showed her the Rodgers and Hammerstein version of “Cinderella” for the first time this past summer, it was love at first viewing.

And now, as Walker portrays Cinderella in the Albert Lea High School production, she’s come to appreciate the character even more.

“I like the story,” Walker, a senior, said. “Cinderella overcomes a lot and marries a prince. It’s a good message for kids and adults – impossible things are happening every day.”

The musical is the retelling of the classic fairy tale. Cinderella is a teenage girl forced to do all the menial tasks in the home she shares with her cold-hearted stepmother and stepsisters. When the king and queen invite every maiden in the kingdom to a royal ball so the prince can find a girl to marry, Cinderella’s stepsisters and stepmother go. Cinderella is left behind to wish about how her life could be. While she is wishing, she is visited by her fairy godmother, who makes it possible for her wishes to come true.

The musical will be presented Nov. 20, 21, and 22 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Albert Lea High School auditorium. Tickets are available in advance at Doyles Hallmark, Addie’s Floral & Gifts and at Tone Music. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The show is directed by ALHS English and drama teacher, Molly Wilken. Diane Heaney is the musical director, and John Fure designed and built the set.

Wilken said when it came to choose a musical last summer, the three of them opted for a show that used a few more female voices. The musicals in the last few years had been more male-heavy.

“Also, I was familiar with the musical, and I wanted to choose a musical that I had either seen or been in before,” Wilken said.

Her two older sisters were in the musical when she was about 5 years old. She remembers going every night to the performance. “My one sister was an evil stepsister and I am pretty sure I had the every word memorized to her songs,” Wilken said.

In addition to Walker, the cast includes: Noah Christopherson as the prince, Reid Anderson as the king, Sarah Hundley as the queen, Anne Marie Caporale as the stepmother, Maddy Ruble as Portia, Kelly Nelson as Joy, Kelli Hanson as the fairy godmother, Ben Knutson as the herald, Zach Wilke as the chef and Aaron Thomas as the steward.

Caporale a senior, said she is enjoying the chance to play the villain in the show.

Christopherson, a longtime fan of the show, said it’s “really a big honor to have this role. There aren’t a lot of opportunities to play a prince.”

Guests and townspeople are Christine Balsley, Holly Ryks, Mollie Hernandez, Alexa McCune, Emily Stoneking, Brook Thompson, Renee Holcomb, Zoe Hill, Tim Stoneking, Rachel Gould, Kelly Duncomb, Emily Troe, Lana Howe, Claire Buendorf, Chelsea Petersen, Morgan Ciota, Macy Paul, Kayla Hartmann, Nick Bera, Kevin Zogg, Matt Attig, Logan Tufte, Brandon Ranum, David Grano, Jon Wirkus, Ben Haney and McKinzey Christian.

Wilken said she is pleased with the cast. “They are dedicated students who truly care about putting on a great performance for the community,” she said.

Heaney is playing piano for the performances and has assembled an orchestra to play for performances as well. Orchestra members are: Kati Davis, Rachel Wood and Rebekah Crissinger on violin; Gygy Cervantes on viola; Mitch Wood on cello; Rob Walecha on bass; Jessica Henderson and Anabelle Randall on flute; Gayle Brownlow on bassoon; Amy Lysne and Amanda Wood on trumpet; Matt Dorman on horn; Katie Schou, Liz Winkels and Kayla Swee on trombone; Broke Besse on harp; and Ray Stephenson on drums.

There are other students running light and sound.

What: The Albert Lea High School production of “Cinderella”

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Albert Lea High School auditorium

Cost: $7 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available in advance at Doyles Hallmark, Addie’s Floral & Gifts and at Tone Music. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Heaney said the show was always one of her favorites on television when she was growing up. “The biggest two nights of the year on TV were when ‘Cinderella’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ were on TV. The story is a favorite and has a very strong message of independence and taking charge of your own life — a great message for young people. Everyone will fall in love with it once again,” she said.

One challenge with the music is the fact that these students didn’t have the advantage of seeing the showing every year like Heaney did, she said. “The music is very singable, however, and they have grown to like it. The musical motives repeat throughout the show so everyone should go out humming their favorite tune,” she said.