CINDERELLA Previews Thread.

[Younger Brother]

Can you tell a little about Marie? I remember reading she's the town "crazy" and the fairy godmother. Is she supposed to be the same character or Vicky doubling up on two roles?

[After Eight]

^

Same character, 2 personae.

[wicked1492]

Seriously?! This is all we've got? One expectedly witchy report from After 8 and a few nondescript details? This is so disappointing. I'm losing faith, BWW.

Not to mention how far down on the page this was before I rescued it from obscurity, less than 12 hours after the first preview.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Part of me feels the way you do, but part of me thinks that it might be a good thing that we're not getting all excited by the first preview, one way or the other. I mean, this is a work in progress, it doesn't open until March 3, so maybe holding judgment at this point is not all bad.

[dramamama611]

Oh, please.

[wicked1492]

Yeah, um, ok, nope. No thanks. Lets fight the urge to hold any of the judgment.

[SamIAm2]

"Part of me feels the way you do, but part of me thinks that it might be a good thing that we're not getting all excited by the first preview, one way or the other. I mean, this is a work in progress, it doesn't open until March 3, so maybe holding judgment at this point is not all bad."

Hallelujah.

[degrassifan]

Just from the song list alone, it sounds like an interesting retelling of Cinderella. i would love to see it! Like I said in another thread, this version seems like a combination of various other Cinderella stories (R&H Cinderella, Perrault's Cinderella, Ever After, Ella Enchanted, and a little bit of The Slipper and the Rose).

I guess "I've Loved and I've Learned," which was cut from Sound of Music, is this version's "Falling in Love with Love" since it's sung by the step family?

Also, a prince having dead parents but not being king himself is nothing new. In The Little Mermaid, Eric was a prince even though his parents were dead. In Beauty and the Beast, we assume that the Prince's parents are dead but he isn't king. In the movie version of Ella Enchanted, Prince's Char's parents are dead, but he is not king. Instead, his greedy uncle (much like Sebastian in this new production) is ruling the kingdom and wants the crown for himself.

[defyingravity11]

I was at the invited dress, but wanted to hold off on commenting until the show began public performances. I actually loved the design and I don't think the pics do it justice. William Ivey Long has created some old school theater magic with the transformations, one of which actually made me gasp.

As for the writing, the score is beautifully orchestrated and sung. I quite liked the book by Douglas Carter Beane. It felt modern and fresh and cohesive with the overall vision for this production. I don't want to give too much away, but I think it's difficult to judge the quality of the entire production on a song list and a few low grade photos.

[SondheimFan5]

Anyone want to post the orchestra list/instrumentation? And how are the new arrangements?

[chanel]

And how is Harriet Harris? Victoria Clark? And Ann Harada? They're all usually scene stealers.

[CopyThatNYC2]

The Orchestration by Danny Troob is as follows:

Reed 1: Flute/Piccolo/Alto Flute
Reed 2: Clarinet
Reed 3: Oboe/English Horn
Reed 4: Bassoon/Clarinet/Flute
Horns 1 & 2
Trumpets 1 & 2
Trombone
Drums
Percussion
Harp
Keyboard (Synth)
Violins (4)
Viola (1)
Cello (1)
Bass (1)

The new arrangements are by Davis Chase.

[bwayphreak234]

Soo can anyone report on the sets and special effects? Please? :-/

[SamIAm2]

I'd also love to hear about Laura & Santino's performances, please.

[Lefou]

I was there last night. And this is the show to beat this season. Everything fell into place. At first I was convinced that the Broadway was going to be way to big of a house, but this show felt right at home. Of course there is some trimming and tightening to be done (but keep in mind, it's a first preview). But I'll start with the performances...(Note: SPOILERS)

Laura Osnes was born to sing this music. It flows so easily through her entire body. From her first entrance she IS Cinderella. It's a flawless performance.

Santino Fontana. This boy can do anything, I swear. He is charming, quirky, awkward, endearing and the perfect Prince for this version.

Vicki Clark: She begins the show as "Marie, the Town Crazy", she mutters, and is in a worn dirty cloak. Sort of reminds me of the costume of the Witch in ITW. But when Cinderella shows her kindness, she turns into her Fairy Godmother. She flies, she transforms costumes, it's an incredible performance. And her rendition of THE MUSIC IN YOU is breath taking.

Peter Bartlett: HAM. Such a fun performance. He has the best line readings in the show. He's the Prince's advisor (and "Villain" of the piece)

Ann Harada & Marla Mindelle: Wonderful performances by each. Marla has the more involved role, but Ann gets the Step Sister's Lament which is shared with the ensemble women

Harriet Harris: Giving a GREAT performance here. She is the perfect parts evil and wickedly funny. Not a whole lot to do, but a good use of her talents.

The set and costumes are incredible. William Ivey Long does NOT dissappoint (does he ever?) I do not want to spoil the transformations, but they are pretty ingenious, and once all the kinks are worked out, they will work flawlessly. There were noticeable gasps from the audience.

It is a modernization of sorts, and shows Cinderella as a strong woman who wants to see a change in the world. It's a show that the kids will enjoy and that adults will also enjoy because of the political jokes. I had so much fun.

We see all the transformations on stage. Cinderella changing (multiple times) into dresses, the pumpkin, the slippers.

[dramamama611]

Lefou -- your words may have just swayed me to see this. I am not a fan of R&H's Cinderella, so just wasn't interested. Now I'm thinking about it.

Thanks for taking the time.

[Pammylicious]

Thanks. Great review but I'm not surprised. Can't wait to see it in three weeks.

[bwayphreak234]

AHHH so glad to finally have a full review! What was the set like?!

[Phantom of London]

I was there for todays matinee, just came out, no discounts availble either at the booth, nor through discount code when I tried an hourbefore the performance, I had to bite the bullet.

The 3 leads were very good, as for the show, it isn't in bad shape, but seems to have a touch of jaundice.

[broadwaydevil]

What do you mean by "political jokes?"

That has me a little nervous as some productions recently think it's humorous to add in random "topical, mature" jokes for "adults" like Wonderland and Godspell to disastrous results. Hopefully DCB hasn't gone the route of insipid humor. Otherwise, your review is very encouraging!

[suestorm]

Thank you Lefou and Phantom fo your greatr reviews. Its nice to hear from people who have actually seen it and loved it rather then the know it alls who have comically
slammed it with out ever seeing anything but a song at the parade

[little_sally]

Was there this afternoon and overall really enjoyed it. I think the cast is all uniformly great but the second act drags (the show ended at about 4:45ish, so it's a bit long right now). The political stuff does not work at all (at one point I felt like I was watching Evita) and brings the show down. However, the magic and the spectacle of the show is wonderful, Victoria Clark sounds amazing, and all the little girls dressed up as Cinderella in the audience are adorable.

[After Eight]

"What do you mean by "political jokes?" "

Actually, it's more than just jokes. It's more like a political tract on to which the plot of Cinderella has been grafted---uneasily. You see, it turns out there's a lot of social injustice in this prince's kingdom, and revolutionary Jean-Michel lets us know all about it ad infinitum. We even get to see the peasants living in poverty. It seems that only the prince is unaware of all this. It takes Cinderella to open his eyes on the matter and initiate reforms.


I didn't find Peter Bartlett or Harriet Harris's roles even remotely funny, and these two gifted comic actors' talents are misused in them. There's nothing campy or funny about this mean stepmother- she's just virulently mean.

The Marie/Fairy Godmather duality didn't work for me, though Victoria Clark was excellent. The Marie caracter was a complete waste. For those who remember the Thanksgiving Day Parade performance, her dress is now different, a billowy pink thing, none too attractive.

[little_sally]

I know they had to somehow flesh the story out but the political stuff really changes the tone too much and makes it drag.

[After Eight]

^

Why did they have to "flesh out" the story?

The City Opera presented R&H's Cinderella just as we know it-- with an added song or two -- and it worked just fine.

[little_sally]

Good point, After Eight. They could really cut it down to like two hours. People are coming for the simple, familiar story of Cinderella.