CINDERELLA Previews Thread.

[Sauja]

I'm one of the many who felt the show was a bit of a mess--overly long because it was inflated with that unbelievably stupid plotline wherein Cinderella encourages the Prince to explore the powers of democracy.

But there were several other problems as well. Absolutely nothing Harriet Harris did seemed to register with the audience the night I went. She seems, uncharacteristically, to be underplaying this character, and I don't suspect that subtlety is the most rewarding approach to a fairy tale. Santino Fontana, who I adore, just doesn't sparkle as the Prince. He's merely fine, but there's no connection between him and Ella.

And oh Lord, those costumes. A quick change or dress transformation may be impressive, but it would certainly feel more rewarding if the news clothes didn't always feel so atrociously ugly. WHAT were they trying to convey with Victoria Clark's lavender monstrosity? WHY does Cinderella attend the ball in gold lame? WHO thought that white tulle aberration was flattering on Osnes? And the set! Ohhhh the set. Honestly, it was just one of the most physically ugly shows I've ever seen.

But onto the good! Osnes and Clark sing the score beautifully. But it's only Ann Harada who makes a lasting impression. Her "Stepsister's Lament" is far and away the highlight of the show.

[E.Davis]

Interesting because everything Harris did when I saw it last Tuesday landed perfectly on the audience, she was very well received.

Just curious, did every principal except Clark, Jean-Micheal get entrance applause?

[degrassifan]

As for the slipper issue, I once read somewhere that the English translation of the French version of Cinderella by Perrault had her leaving the slipper as she ran during the stroke of midnight, which could imply that Cinderella had left the slipper on purpose so that the prince could use it to find her.

"If she's been so nice all the time, then why on earth is Cinderella so surprised by it?"

Maybe she had always been a secret ally, but Cinderella wasn't really aware of it? It's one thing to be the nicest one in a clique of mean girls, but it's another to be the mean girl who is visibly kind to the underdog. I know in Ever After, the younger stepsister was nice, but too meek and afraid to stand up to her mother and sister. It wasn't until the Cinderella character got a sound lashing from the stepmother that the younger stepsister demonstrated her kindness, so it was a slight shock to the Cindy character.

[chellie]

You make an interesting point, degrassifan, as to Cinderella's reaction, but it just felt very odd that Gabrielle wouldn't partake in any meanness at all; many of the other rich characters are not mean at heart, but they're all caught up in outdoing one another and for Gabrielle to be so blandly nice the whole way through was just kind of sigh-inducing, like, "Oh, there she goes again." It would have been nicer to see her go through some sort of character development -- a bit of meanness would have gone a long way for that, imo (and would have given Marla Mindelle something to do other than being just boringly earnest the entire show).

[ohjustjake]

Just got back from seeing it tonight. Just thought I'd mention the show was down to 2 hours and 25 minutes. I talked to my friend who's in the cast afterwards, and they had cut two songs for tonight's show and were doing more changes for tomorrow. She said they've been rehearsing new changes everyday, so that's a good thing right? At least they're attempting to work it out a bit.

Overall, I thought the show was fantastic. I wasn't able to see it before tonight so I'm not sure how much has changed, but I didn't find the political story distracting at all. It actually didn't seem like it was really that major of a plot point. The music sounded great and the set looks a lot better in the theatre than it does from the pictures posted here. They still have two more weeks of previews and I think they'll be able to figure out exactly what works by then.

[WestVillage]

I saw this last night too, and what a mess it is. Absolutely no charm or humor. For such a sweet show originally, this one is heavy laden and laborious. The step-mother and step-sisters are never funny enough or mean enough for the audience to feel sorry for Cinderella. Osnes and Fontana have zero chemistry, and Osnes has no warmth. She's just kinda there singing pretty and going through the motions. She's also a clumsy dancer which is not pretty to watch. Don't understand why she is such a Broadway darling. Costumes are hideous (poor Victoria Clark in that ugly outfit with wings and saddlebags), and the transformations are so obvious, reminders of Dreamgirls (when Effie transforms into a gown from a dress) and the witch in Into the Woods. Set was ugly and looked very low-budget. Choreography was horrendous. The worst was the new book. Too modern, too Nickelodeon TV, and the second act with all the political references is just a useless, desperate attempt to turn a short sweet musical into a boring 2.5 hour evening. Audience response was pretty tepid; obligatory (and slow starting) standing ovation only at Osnes' bow, but I think it was more just because the show was FINALLY over than anything else. Lots of people walking out during the final wedding scene, and processions going up both aisles during the curtain calls ... more than I've ever seen. It was like an attempt to get out of the theatre already.

[ohjustjake]

West Village - I feel like we must've seen two completely different shows. I was up in the balcony and there was a lot of positive response to everything. The only thing I can agree with that you said is about Victoria Clark's dress.

[Younger Brother]

**POILER**
" The step-mother and step-sisters are never funny enough or mean enough for the audience to feel sorry for Cinderella"

Doesn't the Step Mother kick Cinderella out in this production?

[WestVillage]

No, she kicks out the other sister who falls for the "liberal".


The orchestra section was not that positive. I saw people nodding off, parents leaving early with their kids, and lots of people exiting as soon as they realized there was no more to the story, and just a wedding scene.

[Gink]

What songs were cut? Wish they'd cut the whole 'liberal' stuff, but I guess I should be happy they had cut the soup kitchen by the time I saw it.

[ucjrdude902]

A friend in the cast said that some major cuts and re-workings will be happening soon across the board.

[Pammylicious]

I have tickets for next Wednesday night. when I got them I really thought the show would be set by then. Guess it won't. Would they change the opening day if it's not together by then, March 3?

[HenryTDobson]

It sounds promising that they're trying to re-work the script; hopefully they can turn the show around. It'll be really interesting to read the reviews since the reviews here are so mixed.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

It's not clear to me that the reviews are quite as mixed as you might think. I've been following lots of feedback, and while there are clearly some detractors (some of whom have actually seen the show) I think that the large percentage of overall reaction has been very positive.

I haven't seen it yet so I have no opinion one way or the other as yet.

[ucjrdude902]

They wanted to change the opening night but to much has been schedules, paid for and booked. Not to mention, they moved the start of previews to many times so they just stuck with the 3rd.

[EricMontreal22]

Interesting, the Prokofiev ballet, and at least one of the opera versions (Rossini's?) have the beggar woman at the start--who is later revealed to be the Fairy Godmother. No clue where they came up with this other stuff from, though

[WhatIWasBorn2Do]

Got a rush ticket at 5pm for tonight's show. 4th row house right, end seat on the far aisle. Man was very clear that the seat was partial view. I will report later!

[RippedMan]

Seems strange that they want to stick to their original opening due to money problems. Don't they realize if the show opens and it is universally panned, it will probably result in them not making any money? Oh well. I guess it's doing good business, right?

[ucjrdude902]

I think it'll all be worked out before opening night.

[WhatIWasBorn2Do]

Saw the show tonight. Clocked in at 2 hours and 30 minutes on the dot. Overall I was really happy to see this production, and I think it will be very successful during it's run. The show was sweet, funny, and overall, charming. The sets were the best part of the show, the pictures online do not do it any justice. The costume changes were a lot of fun, and added pizazz when needed. Osnes is great as Cinderella, and all the other leads were good as well. The revolution and political aspect of the show was strong in the beginning, especially during "The Prince Is Giving A Ball." Quite frankly, I HATED Jean-Michelle's character in the beginning. In my opinion, the first few scenes are the only few things they need to iron out before opening night. Other than that, the show was delightful. Like I said, I predict this to be a solid hit. I couldn't find an empty seat tonight.

[April Saul]

I saw it tonight, too, and thought it was fine. Singing was lovely, and I don't fault them for using a little bit of politics to try to make it a bit hipper. Can't relate at all to the poster who hated Osnes' dresses; jeez, she wore the classic Cinderella ball gown and glittery slippers; and the wedding gown was gorgeous.

I started out in the rear mezz--and by the way, folks around me actually paid LESS for their seats than I did for my TDF seats three rows from the back, so bear that in mind if you're shopping for cheap tix. For the second act, I moved down to the front of the orchestra, and people around me in both parts of the house seemed genuinely enthused.

I'm not sure what folks are expecting; it IS, after all, Cinderella. For me, it was on par with the current incarnation of Annie, and definitely more fun than Mary Poppins, which a friend dragged me to and was a complete snoozefest. It is not amazing, but a lot of fun...and if you have a little girl in a party dress to bring along, so much the better!

[nasty_khakis]

I looked online after I bought my TDF ticket and realized the same thing (especially if I bought the ticket at the box office). Shady....TDF is a great great great organization and I've never had a truly awful or over-priced seat from them BUT something about this seemed shady...

[beensince1987]

WIWB2D couldn't find a empty seat tonight... People walked out at the intermission?

[WhatIWasBorn2Do]

^ My thinking...I couldnt find an empty seat near me. My seat was in the 3rd row, and at parts wish I was sitting in the rear mezz. I actually looked for seats up there during intermission and everything was taken.

[beensince1987]

Isn't Broadway Theatre one of these that stage is WAAAAAY to high from like first 5 rows?

[April Saul]

I can't imagine you'd want to be in the rear mezzanine for this show, unless you want to sit there like I did, squint hard, and wonder (for the first few minutes or at least until she started singing) whether Victoria Clark was the stepmother or the fairy godmother! Just too far away...

It WAS hard to find empty seats to move closer to tonight, the place was nearly full. As far as TDF, I know this does happen occasionally, but it did annoy me when the guy in the box office tried to convince me that I actually had great seats that normally cost much more. I realize that I was taking a chance but seriously, buddy?