"Cinderella" is a timeless favorite that delights audiences of all ages. Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) of Emmaus presents a classic tale that features former Joffrey ballerina and co-artistic director, Trinette Singleton, portraying the wicked stepmother, and Samantha Fruwirth, an Alumni and recent dancer with American Repertory Ballet, as Cinderella.

RDT's "Cinderella" will be presented at 4 p.m. March 7, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown.

Jennifer Haltzman Tracy, executive and co-artistic director of Repertory Dance Theatre, says the production will showcase dancers ages 10 and up, composed of younger dancers from the Dolly Haltzman Dance Academy and 30 Lehigh Valley dancers who are members of RDT's pre-professional ballet company.

Cinderella's Prince will be portrayed by Daniel Mayo, a guest artist from Ballet X. RDT dancer Kathryn Donnelly is the Fairy Godmother.

"The ugly stepsisters will be played by Eric Feinstein, who has been in RDT almost since its inception, and Brian Donnelly, who has been in the 'Nutcracker,' but now has a leading role," says Tracy.

When asked if there seems to be a renewed interest in princess-themed fairy tales, Haltzman Tracy says, "It never seems to have gone away. Fairy tales make for very good story ballets."

RDT, which was founded by Tracy's mother, Dolly Haltzman, in 1987, has performed beloved tales such as "Sleeping Beauty" and the "Wizard of Oz."

"We try to do some ballets that will also attract young men in the area because ballet is definitely not just for little girls," says Tracy.

RDT has been performing its spring ballet at the Scottish Rite Cathedral for more than 20 years.

RDT's mission is to encourage and train young people to be involved in dance as a profession or an avocation and to educate the community to appreciate the art of dance. The company believes in making arts education accessible to at-risk youth. RDT presents lectures and workshops at inner-city schools.

"There will be three [additional] pieces on the ['Cinderella'] program. Two of the choreographers for those pieces grew up in RDT, so that's really special to us."

RDT dancers will perform a new work by James Du Chateau and dancers from the Lehigh Valley High School for the Arts and the studio of Marilyn Budzinsky also perform.

"They went on to professional careers and now are either still dancing, or they're choreographing their own ballets and coming back to our stage, which is so nice. It comes full circle."

Prior to the performance, there will be "Story Time with Cinderella" at 2 p.m. for children ages 4 - 8. Advance registration is required: 610-965-6216.

"It gives children a chance to learn a little more about the story and what will happen onstage. They're so used to the Disney version," says Tracy.

"[Cinderella] will have wonderful acting," she adds. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

RDT produces two main-stage ballets each year and performs at numerous community events free to the public. It also produces a series of in-school and after-school educational-outreach programs and provides a dance education to hundreds of at-risk and disadvantaged youth through its Talent Identification Program.

Upcoming events by RDT include performances at Mayfair, Arts in the Park, The Cherry Blossom Festival, a summer dance program and the annual holiday "Nutcracker."