A Minneapolis-area theater announced the cancellation of its upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” over concerns the cast was too white.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres said in a press release that “Cinderella” was canceled “after careful consideration and with our ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”
“Our hope in beginning the production process again with a new title will allow us to put into practice an intentional process based on the work we have been doing towards equity and inclusivity,” the theater said.
Director Michael Brindisi told The Pioneer Press the cancellation was due to the theater’s casting, not the content of the play.
“It was 98 percent white,” he said. “That doesn’t work with what we’re saying we’re going to do.”
Mr. Brindisi said the actors were disappointed with the cancellation but that “they respected the very hard decision we had to make.”
The theater will “start fresh with a clean slate” and stage a production of “Footloose,” instead, he said.
