A communal effort turns 15

You've never seen a Cinderella like this!

The CHOC Follies return to Costa Mesa from March 29 to 31 with a modern, online take on the classic fairy tale.

Now in its 15th year, the family-friendly musical comedies bring together 100 local leaders and luminaries from across Orange County to sing, dance and perform in one of the community's favorite social and philanthropic events.

Proceeds will benefit Children's Hospital of Orange County; more than $5 million has been raised over the past 14 years. In addition to their donation of time for rehearsals and performances, the 100 volunteers promise to raise or give at least $1,000 each for CHOC.

"I can hardly believe this is our 15th CHOC Follies production," Follies founder and executive producer Gloria Zigner said. "With each year, our Follies family gets bigger, the productions get more spectacular, and the community gets more involved."

Zigner said this year's show, "Christina and the Crystal Ball, a Cinderella Story for the Social Net Set," was inspired by the traditional 15th anniversary gift, crystal.

Cinderella becomes Christina, an office drone dreaming of dancing under a disco ball in the show, written by Follies director John Vaughan. He is joined by longtime show associate producer Lois Augustine in bringing the magic to life. This year's co-chairs are Leslie Cancellieri, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and Dale Skiles.

Zigner said the production will star a Broadway veteran, April Malina. Malina's past credits include the international Broadway touring productions of "Miss Saigon" and "Hair," and a voiceover repertoire in commercials, movies and television shows.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. March 29, 8 p.m. March 30, and 2 and 8 p.m. March 31 at the Robert B. Moore Theatre on the Orange Coast College campus in Costa Mesa.

Tickets are $35 and $65 for the Thursday night and Saturday matinee shows. Tickets are $50, $75 and $125 for Friday and Saturday night performances; the $125-rate includes admission to a post-show cast party.

The proceeds from the 2012 production will go toward construction of The Voice. Conceived by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, The Voice will be an interactive media center for patients at CHOC to express their creative sides in various activities related to broadcast media. It is slated to open in 2013 in the hospital's new seven-story tower, organizers said.

For more information and tickets, as well as to view a video of highlights from last year's production, visit choc.org/chocfollies.

If You Go

What: CHOC Follies XV: "Christina and the Crystal Ball, a Cinderella Story for the Social Net Set"

When: 8 p.m. March 29, 8 p.m. March 30, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. March 31

Where: Robert B. Moore Theatre at Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

Cost: $35 to $125

Information: choc.org/chocfollies