It’s not really a spoiler to mention the closing musical number of the new and engaging musical for all ages now playing at Creative Cauldron Stage in Falls Church.
“When you’re worried, dance the way you are,” the cast enthusiastically sings while moving to the music. “Dance out loud and light up like a shining star!”
As performed by the mostly young performers in this Learning Theater Production, “Dance the Way You Are” is a powerful message to one and all who are lucky enough to view this hour-long adaptation of a lesser-known fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Adapted by founding artistic director Laura Connors Hull, Twelve Dancing Princesses lands the audience in a colorful kingdom where two dozen lively young ladies have to dance in secret after the untimely death of their beloved mother. (Don’t worry, their mom can still inspire them!)
Three years ago, Connors Hull and Creative Cauldron launched “Artes Para Todos,” an initiative to provide educational arts programming in the area’s Title One Schools, in which many households speak Spanish as the primary language. With this fact in mind, this adaptation — also known as Las Doce Princesas Bailarinas — infuses Spanish along with English throughout the performance. Connors Hull collaborated with Alan Gutierrez-Urista for the Spanish translation. Frequent Creative Cauldon collaborators Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith wrote the original score and lyrics, respectively.
The product of this creative synergy is a 60-minute adventure filled with song and dance, wonderful storytelling in both English and Spanish, and engaging performances that warm the heart.
Playing the stern yet loving king, Alan Gutierrez-Urista rules the kingdom with authority and love for his many royal daughters. His wife, the Queen, has died, leading him to ban dancing in the kingdom. King Alfonso also has a dilemma: he wants to solve the mystery brought to him by his cobblers (Hazel Hemmerlein and Coralie Ennis): Every morning, his children’s shoes are mysteriously worn out and need to be replaced, straining the royal budget.
The princesses (the full cast list is below) make for a dynamic set of sisters. Missing their late mother, the Queen, they are pulling a fast one on their father by sneaking out every night to dance with a group of princes, brought to life in the musical number “Softly, Softly, Step.” Suspicious of their worn-out shoes, the king devises a plan to discover their secret by sending princes to them, their prize being marriage with a princess. Prince Arrogante (played by Cooper Mano), Prince Confundido (Miles Weiss), and Prince Timido (Marco Rubio) each try but fail to discover the truth behind the shoe debacle. An old soldier (Alec Goldenberg) comes to the rescue with the help of an invisibility cloak (think Harry Potter sneaking around Hogwarts).
The king is aided by his royal staff, the Chancellor (Samantha Mouadeb), First Knight (Fleur Stewart), a Servant (Juliette Campagna), and the nimble Fool (Beatrice Gallagher).
Also making memorable appearances are Zara Wanodya as the Old Woman, and co-director of the production, Ariel Friendly as the late Queen, who still holds a place in the heart of the princesses.
Throughout the 13 scenes and 10 or so musical numbers, English and Spanish coexist seamlessly, giving any audience member the full story and emotion, whether or not they are native speakers of either language.
Adding to the beauty and fairy-tale quality of the production, designers Margie Jervis (scenic and costumes) and Hailey LaRoe (lighting and projections) give the kingdom the requisite sparkle and royal touches to keep the viewer engaged throughout. The entire creative team knows this intimate space so well, everything is pitched perfectly to tell the story and keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Another aspect of this production’s educational value was the brief talkback session after the show. The cast stayed on stage after the curtain calls while Connors Hull facilitated questions from the audience, including some of the youngest patrons. One tyke raised his hand to offer: “I like the part where everyone was dancing.”
Twelve Dancing Princesses harkens back to childhood, joy, and celebration. The creativity and inclusivity at work is a strong testament to Creative Cauldron Stage’s commitment not only to make theater accessible to one and all but to expand audiences from the youngest to the oldest patron.
Running Time: One hour, no intermission.
Twelve Dancing Princesses plays through March 29, 2026, at Creative Cauldron Stage, 27 E Broad St, Falls Church, VA. Performances are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Refer to the specific schedule of performances on their website or purchase tickets online. Ticket prices range from $18 for students to $20 for adults, with group discounts available, and a live streaming option. Creative Cauldron is also always looking for volunteers who can earn free tickets; click here for more information.
The program for the production is located here.
Twelve Dancing Princesses / Doce Princesas Bailarinas
Presented by Creative Cauldron Stage, A Learning Theater Production
Music by Matt Conner
Lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith
Adapted by Laura Connors Hull
Spanish translation by Alan Gutierrez-Urista
Directed by Laura Connors Hull and Ariel Friendly
The 12 princesses are played by Ely Tarrant as Allegria; Tatiana Lund, Blanca; Emma Lynch, Catrina; Mary Rose Somerville, Elena; Rosaline Travis, Francisca; Ella Kaufman, Gracia; Hana O’Sullivan, Juana; Mya Nguyen, Leonora; Eleanor Smits, Margarita; Frankie Eckenrode, Serena; Aarya Sridhara, Teresa; and Ayla Naftzger-Caraway, Ysabel.
