Act I
Cinderella lives in sorrow after her mother’s death. Her father has remarried a harsh woman with two cruel daughters, and he is too afraid of his new wife to protect his daughter, leaving her alone to suffer in silence.
The morning unfolds with the usual household chaos, while Cinderella endures harsh treatment from her Stepmother and stepsisters. Daydreaming about a better life, Cinderella thinks of her Fairy Godmother, who then suddenly appears with invitations to a royal ball. The Stepsisters excitedly prepare for the event, but Cinderella, with no gown to wear, believes she must stay home instead.
As her stepsisters bicker and struggle through dance lessons, Cinderella easily follows each step with grace, enraging her Stepmother. The Fairy Godmother’s helpers secretly arrive and Cinderella is taken to an enchanted garden, where magic transforms her rags into a dazzling gown, a pumpkin into a carriage, and mice into horses. The Fairy Godmother gives her crystal slippers and warns she must return from the royal ball before midnight.
Intermission
Act II
At the ball, the King and Queen greet their guests. The Prince is uninterested until Cinderella, unrecognizable to her Stepmother and stepsisters, enters and he is captivated by her beauty. He offers her exotic oranges, which the Stepsisters steal.
As midnight nears, the Fairy Godmother reappears. Cinderella flees, leaving behind a glass slipper. The Prince, now desperately in love, vows to find her.
He searches the kingdom far and wide, but cannot find any maiden whose foot fits into the shoe. Back home, Cinderella treasures the matching slipper while her stepsisters brag about the ball.
At last, the Prince arrives. The Stepsisters fail to force the slipper on their feet, no matter how hard they try. In the commotion, Cinderella accidentally reveals the other slipper. The Prince recognizes her, and they begin their happily ever after.