Cinderella is based on stories and legends from years ago starting in ancient China, retold in ballet, opera, plays, etc. The Cinderella ballet as we know it today incorporates comedy and uses the music composed by Sergei Prokofiev in 1944. Earlier versions of the ballet were actually performed as long ago as 1814.

Cinderella lives with her mean yet humorous stepmother and stepsisters who are constantly on her to keep the house clean. An invitation to the royal ball arrives and the stepsisters get ready leaving poor Cinderella at home. Friendly mice help her out by making her a dress followed by a visit from her fairy godmother who transforms it into a beautiful gown. Her godmother gives her a pair of glass slippers and sends her to the ball, but to return no later than midnight. 

She arrives at the ball where the prince falls madly in love with her only to have her run off at the stroke of midnight, leaving behind a single glass slipper. The prince searches the land having all young ladies try on the slipper in an effort to find his princess. When he does they get married and live happily ever after.