Operetta hoped to bring fairy-tale ending for disadvantaged children

Operetta hoped to bring fairy-tale ending for disadvantaged children

Leo Wahyudi S, Contributor, Jakarta

Since it was first published 1697, Charles Perrault's legendary
tale Cinderella has lived through the hearts of children around
the world.

Versions of the tale of a neglected girl who is
psychologically and physically abused by her stepmother and
stepsisters are found in societies around the world.

Now it is inspiring local children's rights activists in the
Association of Our Children (PAAK) to stage the Cinderella
Operetta at the Jakarta Convention Center on June 14 and June 15.

The association, which was established in late 2002, will work
with Sanggar Sangrila and the Indonesian Children's Choir (PSAI)
for the performances, featuring child entertainers Saskia on June
14 and Marshanda the following day.

The chairman and co-founder of PAAK, Leonardus Handoko, said
on Wednesday funds from the operetta would be used to help the
city's unfortunate children.

Chairman of the National Commission for Child Protection, Seto
Mulyadi, who is also a psychologist, said the story of Cinderella
would also remind parents of the dangers of physical and
emotional abuse of their children.

After several months in existence, PAAK has conducted many
activities, from providing supplementary food to children from
low-income families, providing scholarships, assisting health
programs and helping assign mentally handicapped children to
care-giving foundations.

Sanggar Sangrila -- which stands for Play, Action, Dance and
Song -- has a strong reputation as a children's theater group
since the 1970s. Founded by Maria Tanzil, it first performed
Cinderella, starring child star Ira Maya Sopha, in 1976. About
200 children aged from five years to 15 years are part of the
workshop.

PSAI, chaired by Aida Swenson, was awarded the Best Musical
Performance in the Seventh Youth Japan Musicale in 1997.

To show its concern for children caught up in the conflict in
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the choir will perform folk songs from
the province as well as from other parts of the country.

Next up is a performance by the end of the month for U.S.
First Lady Laura Bush at the White House.

Coordinating 100 children for a performance has proved a hard
job for director Henky Solaiman, but his experience as a
performer and director-screenwriter have helped.

With the big-name draws of Saskia and Marshanda for the
Cinderella role and Rio Cahya as the prince, the organizers hope
to bring in full houses. Ticket prices range from Rp 75,000
(US$9) to Rp 500,000 for the four performances over two days.

I-box
Ticket Boxes:
Aquarius cassette store, tel. 7208413
Sanggar Sangrila, tel. 7222225
PSAI, tel. 72799512, 7233894
Yayasan Mutiara Indonesia, tel. 7691616