The Pearl is slated to be a wondrous, stupendous, and magical place this weekend – even more than usual, which is saying something because The Pearl's baseline is pretty darn magical – with the return of Cocosanti's comedy cabaret production of Cinderella, on for three nights only, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Billed as "not your grandma's fairy tale," you can actually bring your grandmother if she's quite cool and in the mood for a vamped-up, tongue-in-cheek, pop-filtered satirical retelling of the Grimm Brothers classic that mines our contemporary sociocultural milieu – influencer culture – in a comedic production that combines a jukebox musical song list with modern dance set pieces and the cabaret and aerial arts.

Recommended for ages 10 to cool grandma, some of the jokes are subtle winks, and some are great, sweeping, heaving, standing-on-a-chair, leering winks, which makes it a fun time for the whole family – even if your family contains one or more 10-year-olds, but even more so if it consists of a group of lovely friends looking for a great show and a fun night on the town.

Oh, and the timeless Cinderella themes – the triumph of good over evil, the importance of perseverance, and the power of kindness and compassion – be yourself, love is all you need, just be nice! – I think those are them – that's all in there as well.

So! An uplifting, edifying, and emotionally resonant night at the theater indeed!

We caught up with Shanghai director and impresario Cocosanti to find out more about the show and to have a peek into their Shanghai story:

CNS: Please introduce yourself and tell us what you are up to at The Pearl.

Hi hi, my name is Jiovani del Toro, but I'm more commonly referred to in the community as Cocosanti. But you can just call me Coco.

I'm currently one of the creative directors and writers for cabaret shows at the Pearl Theater in Shanghai.

CNS: What inspired you to pursue a career in theater/cabaret direction and performing, and how did your journey lead you to Shanghai?

I went to school for performance, triple majoring in Theater, Dance and Film Studies in the US. But I've always been drawn to cabaret, even doing my senior thesis on cabaret influence in contemporary society. But honestly, in my first year of university, I got a taste of being in a burlesque show and really just fell in love with the art form. It's my first rendezvous with an art form under the umbrella of cabaret, and devouring every detail and understanding of these elements, from vaudeville to drag, I can just never get enough.

CNS: What elements of living in Shanghai inspire your creativity?

Shanghai is a unique city in that it highlights itself as an international hub. For me, developing and creating art that fits the palettes of multiple countries is the biggest challenge, and I LIVE for it.

How to envelop the minds of theatergoers into a place of pure ecstasy? How can we immerse an audience in wonder and delight when spoken language presents barriers?

All of these elements present not problems but welcome obstacles that always tickle my fancy.

CNS: What are some of the previous productions you've been involved with? Can you share a standout moment or production that you feel defined your voice?

Well, I've worked on many productions around China. I've done the writing for popular shows in Shanghai, such as Babylon, La Rouge, and countless more. At present, while I hate to admit it, I don't feel I've truly been able to reach my fullest potential with my art in Shanghai. But I feel that's the beauty of art. It's forever growing and changing. And we learn to grow and change with the times.

CNS: How do you approach directing a piece for an audience that is diverse in terms of language, culture, and theater-going experience?

This is truly why I love cabaret as an art form. It speaks volumes across all language barriers. And it truly brings audiences to a place of something that is ephemeral, making them want to return for more.

CNS: What's your process for selecting and working with actors, designers and other collaborators?

Well, my personal process begins with finding and working with people who are interested and invested in themselves. For me, it's about collaborating with individuals who respect their craft and care to put in the effort so that their 100 percent makes the show feel complete and whole. While I don't always have the opportunity to work with individuals who share the same philosophy, when I do, it's a magical experience.

CNS: What projects do you envision for the future of your career and for the Shanghai theater scene?

New talent is always emerging within this city, and I'm consistently on the lookout for performers who wish to hone their craft. I love collaborating with new talents and exploring ways that the theaters I work for really can give back to their communities.

Personally, I'm hoping Shanghai, especially, can begin to move away from the standards of Eurocentric beauty that plague the theater scenes. How often I see performances where art is sacrificed due to "needing" a white face, blonde hair, and blue eyes to be present on stage.

Talent is limitless. And I hope locals and foreigners alike can open their minds to the possibilities of what talent can truly look like.

CNS: Please introduce your production of Cinderella – the promo says, "It's not our grandmother's fairy tale."

Oh, absolutely. I think stories that transcend nations are an excellent source material, and I feel Cinderella is a great story for such works. But as a cabaret artist, I try to envision a world where even the simplest of fairy tales can be entertaining for adults.

CNS: Can you introduce some of the performers/cast? Who's playing our girl?

The same cast that you know and love at the Pearl will be there to provide you with a performance not found anywhere else in Shanghai. Our performers are unabashedly themselves, and this performance takes it to new heights.

Our Cinderella, Kat, actually has worked for a world-famous theme park in Shanghai (wink, wink), so she's really excited to reprise a role but with inhibitions unleashed.

CNS: How did the songbook come together for the show?

My process for shows begins with character building. It's in finding and developing characters where music begins to present itself. Admittedly, I'm not the most versed in music, and I love having my performers make suggestions that help to support and develop their character. I try to avoid music as exposition but rather use it as a rooted example of building the world of the story. It's important for me to see my performers LOVE their character, which makes it easier for them to play with the song that fits them.

CNS: What emotions or messages do you hope the audience will take away after seeing this production?

Cinderella is a timeless classic. There are countless variations from thousands of sources. Our goal is to make the audience feel like they are experiencing this classic story for the first time.

CNS: What have you got planned for The Pearl next?

Oh, honestly, I wish I could tell you. But it comes down to what the shareholders will approve. So, cross your fingers for me and pray that I get my next show approved. I love creating shows that make audiences feel…for lack of a better word, really good.

Getting Tickets:

When: This Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Time: Doors open at 6pm. Come early if you want to grab a bite to eat. (Of course, you can order food during the show as well). Show starts at 7pm!

Tickets: You can get tickets by scanning the QR code below inside WeChat. It's in English!