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