Friday, April 16, 2015 by Gary Black Theatre UAF offers a new take on Cinderella with ‘The Ash Girl’ When “The Ash Girl” opens Friday, all eyes she contemplates death. I think suicide is still will be on Nicole Cowans. the ‘F’ word in society. People don’t want to talk about it.” It’s Cowans who’s carrying the titular role of Ashgirl, the young woman who wants to For Baker, who has served as Cowans’ go the prince’s ball but who’s thwarted by her mentor during her time at UAF, seeing her stepmother and evil stepsisters while finding grow from her first performance in “Speech & support — and distractions — from woodland Debate” to taking on the role of Ashgirl has creatures, a fairy godmother, and seven sinful been like watching a child grow and learn and entities. If it sounds familiar, it should. “The come into her own. Cowans first took acting Ash Girl” is a modern retelling of Cinderella, under Baker in fall 2012, and Baker knew then written by playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker that Cowans had “it.” and produced by Theatre UAF, opening Friday Paloma Polanco as Owl, left, and Nicole Cowans “It was one of those moments when you in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre. It’s also the as Ashgirl are seen in the production, which opens instantly know she has something,” Baker Friday. Kade Mendelowitz, Theatre UAF Photos biggest role (to date) of Cowans’ burgeoning said of Cowans ability on stage. Baker cast theater career. IF YOU GO Cowans in “Speech & Debate,” and from What: “The Ash Girl,” by Timberlake Werten- “The Ash Girl” serves as Cowans’ thesis there Cowans went on to star in “Nickel and baker, produced by Theatre UAF role, meaning it’s required more work, study Dimed” and “Tartuffe.” Now, with “The Ash When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7:30 and research than any role she’s played Girl,” Baker wanted to push Cowans even p.m. April 24 and 25; 2 p.m. April 26 before. That in-depth exploration of Ashgirl more. Where: Salisbury Theatre in the University of Alaska Fairbanks fine arts complex should come in handy when the Lathrop High “This is a big show and technically Cost: Tickets (if purchased ahead of time School grad leaves UAF with her bachelor’s complicated in a way she hasn’t experienced,” online at www.uaf.edu/theatrefilm) are $8 for degree this spring and starts working on her Baker said. “We wanted her to have the students; $12 for seniors, military and UAF; Masters of Fine Arts in the fall at University and $16 for adults. Tickets also available by experience of carrying a show that is very of California Irvine. calling the box office at 474-7751. At the door, technically complex.” tickets are an additional $2. “I’ve come a long way since ‘Speech & FYI: “The Ash Girl” should be considered Those technical executions are being left Debate’,” Cowans said of one of her earlier rated PG for some dark, thematic elements. up to the guidance of UAF theater professor roles at UAF, which won accolades within It’s suitable for ages 6 and older. Brian Cook, who’s directing the performance the Fairbanks theater community. “This is and acting as stage designer. For Cook, the Cast: a completely different experience. Having Carrie Baker as Sadness play is a layered piece that is a fairy tale meets Ashgirl as my thesis means more outside time Kellie Bernstein as Gluttontoad morality tale, coupled with special effects, delving into the playwright and the original Melissa Buchta as Fairy intricate costuming and countless hours of Molly Cable as Mouse 3 versions of the Cinderella story.” behind-the-scenes work. It’s something he Elsbeth Cheyne as Slothworm Amelia Cooper as Greedmonkey The play is a modern, slightly darker version knows will work with theater fans. Nicole Cowans as Ashgirl of the fairytale classic, a mix of Disney meets “The challenge of this show has been there Leilani Eames as Mouse 1 the Brothers Grimm. Yes, we have Ashgirl Freddy Gryder as Envysnake are lots of elements, lots of special effects,” he wanting to meet her prince and nasty step- Marley Horner as Prince Amir said. “We also have lots of people involved. siblings getting in the way, but we also have Cynthia Jones as Angerbird We’re a small department, and this show Brian Kerley as Man in the Forest the physical manifestations of the seven in some way or another has involved all the Katrina Kuharich as Ruth deadly sins who try their best to slow Ashgirl Jessica MacLeod as Stepmother departments’ students.” and those who surround her. For example, Sambit Misra as Paul While it is a fairy tale and morality tale Nancy Nguyen as Judith Sadness, played on stage by theater professor Charlotte Phillips as Mouse 2 Carrie Baker, tries to coax Ashgirl to suicide. mashup that fuses Cinderella and company Ariana Polanco as Princess Zehra That’s something that resonated with Cowans. with the seven deadly sins, it’s still a story of Paloma Polanco as Owl self-discovery, Cook said. Mallory Smyth as Pridefly “As a psychology student, I wanted a thesis Sierra Trinchet as Lust around attitudes toward suicide on campus,” “Like all fairy tales, you end up in the forest Ethan Whitfield as Otter said Cowans, who is graduating with a degree and go on this journey of finding yourself,” he Production Team in psychology as well as theater. “I feel like said. “I think we’re going to get a reward from Director and Scenic Designer: Brian Cook Timberlake kind of touches on those things in this. We will feel accomplished at the end of Costume Designer: Bethany Marx Lighting Designer: Kade Mendelowitz ‘The Ash Girl’ in a way. Ashgirl experiences this. I look forward to Friday to see what it’s Sound Designer: Chris John George extreme depression, almost to the point where going to look like. It will be good.” Stage Manager: Ian Buoncore

Theatre UAF presents “An Inspector Calls,” opening tongith. From left are Ian Hendren, Marley Horner and Katrina Kuharich. Kade Mendelowitz, Theatre UAF Photos