a Dame Unless it's 3 Dames

TACT (Tel Aviv Community Theater) once again revives a holiday tradition with a production of an English Panto. The Panto has its roots in the Italian ''Commedia Dell'Arte'' and the British Music Hall. TACT presented Aladdin during Chanukah two years ago with great success, and this time it's Cinderella by Norman Robbins, with an added tasty local flavor.

The plot follows the famous story – starting with the arrival of Cinderella's new stepmother and her two horrific daughters, following tradition, all played by men.

Albert Levi, stepmother Medusa, played Widow Twankey in Aladdin. A sober accountant by day, he can't wait to get back into a dress!

The ugly stepsisters are played ''nastily'' by former Manchester lad, Yisrael Levitt, (wicked magician in Aladdin) and by Hi-Tech Wiz, Amnon Avidor (Emperor Kosher Chee Kin Chow Mein in Aladdin) who misses his Hollywood roots.

Cinderella is beautiful Scots lass, 18 year old Oriana Dinarsky, who, as soon as Cinderella finishes its run, will be swapping glass slippers for Israeli army boots.

Her long-suffering daddy, Baron Hardupp is Zvi Bar who combines his medical work and poetry.

Her devoted servant is Buttons, played by hi-tech entrepreneur, Michah Himmelman, who was last seen on stage as a sophisticated art dealer in TACT's ''Social Security''.

The Prince and his sidekick, Dandini, are traditionally played by attractive young women. In this case, Prince Charming is Ahinoam Slotki who has performed in musicals in Europe, and Dandini is 17-year-old high school student Avital Sykora, who has extensive musical and acting experience.

Dishing out the 'magic' is fairy godmother, US born Jane Davidson, who has performed with LOGON in Oklahoma, Music Man, and others.

Comedy duo, the brokers men are Simon Shocket and Josh Blankman. Both have vast experience in different aspects of theater.

The cast is supported by a large chorus of villagers, footmen, huntsmen, courtiers, fairies and children, all dressed in colorful period clothes.

TACT's production features a number of original songs written by musical director Daniel Schwartzman, musical director at Beit Tzvi. Madeleine Mordecai, chairperson of TACT, directs and produces. Choreography by Yardena Shapiro and Oran Aviv.

The magnificent set has been created, built and painted by the highly talented team of Bernie Rose and Scottish sister and brother, Gail and James Sommers.

This fun-packed Cinderella is not just for the kids, although it's a great introduction to the theater for them because they have comedy, drama, music – all the magic of the theater – and an opportunity to hiss and boo at the villains, scream at the top of their voices (and be encouraged to do so) and they even get to sing and dance along.

But it's also a chance for adults to relive their childhood by joining in the shouting and cheering, hissing and booing, often drowning out the kids.

Audience participation is all part of the great fun – ''Oh yes it is''.

Come along to Cinderella and you too will go to the Ball.

This wonderful family show will be presented during Chanukah. Opening night is December 5, with further performances on the 6^th, 8^th, 9^th and 10^th.

Performances will commence at 19:30 with the lighting of Hanukah candles in the lobby, prior to performance. Saturday night's performance is at 20:00.

All performances will be in the Auditorium at Yad Lebanim, 63 Pinkas Street, Tel Aviv.

Tickets at Yad Lebanim Box Office: 03-546 7404 and 03-604 1707, between 09:00 and 15:00 – Sunday-Thursday only.

Ticket prices: TACT members – NIS 50, non-members – NIS 60.

Groups of 20 plus – NIS 50.

TACT's roots originated in Tel Aviv around 1950, formed by a group of English speaking immigrants. In 1987 the group formalized as a nonprofit organization under the auspices of the Tel Aviv Municipality.

TACT is dedicated to keeping alive the tradition of community theatre.