The slipper certainly fit for the Milwaukee Ballet's production of "Cinderella," running through the weekend at Milwaukee's Marcus Center for the Arts. Opening for the 2002-2003 season, the ballet has transformed a classic love story with a wit, beauty and passion all its own.

Thanks to Disney, most of us know the basics: Poor girl living with evil stepmother and stepsisters is treated like a maid. A benevolent fairy godmother gives her a magical night, complete with stagecoach, to attend a ball with a Prince. Prince and girl fall in love and they live happily ever after.

Ah, but of course, nothing is ever that simple. And the Milwaukee Ballet has fleshed out these few details to create a truly remarkable and entertaining event. "I am delighted to present this classic tale to Milwaukee audiences," said choreographer and former Milwaukee Ballet artistic director, Jean Paul Commelin. "With a dash of romance, a hint of evil and a splash of magic, this is a tale that audience members of all ages are sure to enjoy."

The stepsisters, aptly named Dumpy (Bobby Ball) and Skinny (Lee-Wei Chao) are hilarious. Played by two male dancers (of interest, Ball is the Interim Artistic Director and Milwaukee Ballet School Director), the "girls" ham it up onstage, waddling to and fro, fussing and tugging at each other, and throwing occasional temper tantrums. Truly though, only the seasoned professional could carry off such performances with the skill, strength and lack of grace as these er, sisters.

Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother, both to be played by three separate dancers through out the run, display stunningly choreographed performances. Cinderella with her kind, graceful sadness in the first act and her joyous night of love and passion at the ball with the Prince is striking, exuding fluidity and the naivete of a young woman. The Fairy Godmother, beautiful and elegant, holds her own while providing Cinderella with all of the tools to make her dreams come true. And certainly in need of mention is the court Jester (Matthew Bruno) whose acrobatic leaps and jumps are carried off with ease.

All of the costumes and scenery in "Cinderella" are new, created by Peter Cazalet of South Africa. "In addition to being a former dancer, Peter also has a bachelor's degree in architecture," said Commelin. "The marriage of these two qualities make Peter one of ballet's most valuable designers."

And brilliant they are. Cinderella of course goes through several costume changes, ranging from her rustic, peasant girl dress, a glimmering gold ballroom gown and a soft, flowing white garb during the finale. The Fairy Godmother is magical in her classical-style blue and silver tutu and sparkly tiara. The fairy godmother's entourage, a group of fairies, is inspired in dress by the four seasons. The dazzling brightly-colored fairies prance about delicately creating a mood of magic and enchantment. All in all, there are 40 different costumes seen during the production.

The scenery is also magnificent, especially the mystical forest with its long, elegant trees and a starlit sky in the background. The sets have a layering quality, some being opaque and others transparent, deepening the magical effect of the performance and adding room for special effects and foreshadowing. For instance, after the ball, Cinderella is at home by the fireplace remembering the time she just had. As she reminisces, the walls of the home become translucent to show the prince reaching out his arms with the shining glass slipper in hand, his only evidence of the haunting girl who captured his heart and ran away at the stroke of midnight.

This production of "Cinderella" also marks a coming of new and a sad farewell to the old. Simon Dow, Artistic Director of the Milwaukee Ballet for the last three seasons, will be leaving to become Artistic Director at the West Australian Ballet in his native country. Dow bid his good-byes to the audience at the Thursday night performance, thanking the Company and the community for its support and promising to stay in close ties with Milwaukee. The Ballet is also welcoming six new dancers into its company for the 2002-2003 season.

"Cinderella" should not be missed and is especially a must-see for the family. The ballet runs for only a short time, its last performance on Sunday, Sept. 29. Tickets range in price from $15 to $77. For ticket information and show times, call the Milwaukee Ballet Box Office at (414) 643-7677.