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Cinderella’s Ugly Stepsisters are back. This time, it’s their ball.

The 5-time Sterling Award-nominated production

The Ugly Stepsisters cordially invite you back to the Palace, just like the good old days. Doesn’t everyone love a ball? The pageantry, the elegance, the romance… but their ball, their rules, and the world’s most infamous step-siblings are ready to dish the dirt. What scandals hide within the glittering facade? What was Cinderella really like? Are the stepsisters really vapid? Vindictive?… Victims?

The Spinsters is a seductive feast featuring mesmerizing movement, magical dresses, and stunning shadow puppetry. It’s a deliciously disruptive dark comedy for adults brought to life by some of the most innovative designers and creators from across Western Canada.

the critics are saying…

Compelling… bewitching… miraculous to witness…Happily ever after will never be quite the same.

Liane Faulder, the Edmonton Journal

ingenious, kooky, and fun

Liz Nicholls, 12thNight.ca

very funny … ridiculously clever and mind-blowing. But this show is more than just fun [it will] make you think a lot after.

Findster Finds

The Spinsters 2025 team

Small Matters creates in an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and horizontal structure. We acknowledge this traditional crediting structure does not fully reflect the interdepartmental collaborative nature of our work.

Conceived, written & performed by Christine Lesiak & Tara Travis*

Directed by Jan Selman

Movement and choreography by Ainsley Hillyard*

Puppetry direction by Jeny Cassady

Dramaturgy by Suzie Martin

Head concept & costume design by Adam Dickson with Ian Walker

Set and prop design by Ian Walker with Adam Dickson

Mechanical design and special effects by Ian Walker

Puppet and wig design by Dusty Hagerüd with Steven Snider

Lighting design by Jude Weismiller

Original composition and sound design by Michael Caron | closing music arranged and performed by Lindsey Walker (Burning Down the House: LISTEN/DOWNLOAD )

Production management, stage management, and technical direction by Kat Evans

Assistant stage management by Ian Walker

Accessibility consultation & live audio description by Brooke Leifso, with thanks to Julian Wigg for their active listening services.

Costume technical team:

Puppet repair technician John Evans, October People Productions

Associate producer Jake Tkaczyk

Graphic illustration Kurt Firla

Small Matters Productions acknowledges the support of Citadel Theatre’s Heart & Hub Program for the loan of their Audio Description equipment for our Audio Described performance. 

*The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).

January 2024 PLAYBILL and BIOS

Additional Credits

We acknowledge the invaluable contributions of…

Creation workshop directors Suzie Martin & Jeny Cassady

Film production assistance Carson Gervais

Dramaturgy and mentorship support from David van Belle, through the 2021 Alberta Playwrights Network and RBC Playwrights Mentorship Program.

Character development support from Deanna Fleysher & Jan Henderson

Early movement consultation with Jake Hastey

Special Thanks to

The Spinsters premiered November 2023 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, in Burnaby B.C. In Alberta, it was presented as a part of Edmonton Fringe Theatre’s Season, January 2024.

The Spinsters creation and presentation has been made possible with support from:  

The University of Alberta President’s Fund for the Creative and Performing Arts and the Department of Drama.

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