The two newest stars of the Tony Award-winning musical CINDERELLA on Broadway - Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist Carly Rae Jepsen and the Emmy-nominated Fran Drescher - will extend their engagements in the hit musical several more weeks through June 8, it has been announced by producers Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman and Stephen Kocis. The two stars - both of whom have made their Broadway debuts as Cinderella and her wicked stepmother, respectively - were originally scheduled to conclude their runs in CINDERELLA next month.
Now in its second year on Broadway, RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA continues to play to large and enthusiastic audiences at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway).
About the extensions, Ms. Goodman says, "We were very happy when Carly and Fran joined the cast this winter and now we're overjoyed that they will stay with us even longer. The humor and charm they bring to the show are enormously appealing both on stage and off. Audiences love them and so do we."
Due to prior commitments during the extension weeks, Ms. Drescher will not play performances April 28 - May 5 and Ms. Jepsen will not play performances from May 16-20.
As it began its second year on Broadway in January, CINDERELLA did so with several new actors in principal roles: Ms. Jepsen as Cinderella, Ms. Drescher as the wicked stepmother,
Joe Carroll as Prince Topher,
Stephanie Gibson as stepsister Gabrielle and
Todd Buonopane as the rebel Jean-Michel.
With its fresh, new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic CINDERELLA combines the story's classic elements - glass slippers, pumpkin, a beautiful ball and more - with some surprise twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, the CINDERELLA of the
Rodgers & Hammerstein musical now on Broadway is a surprisingly contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting: a spirited young woman with savvy and soul, eager to develop a world view, she doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She not only fights for her own dreams, but makes the prince, who falls in love with her, open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams, too.
The cast of RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA currently stars
Carly Rae Jepsen as Cinderella and
Joe Carroll as the Prince Topher;
Fran Drescher as Madame; Tony Award winner
Victoria Clark as Fairy Godmother Marie;
Ann Harada as stepsister Charlotte;
Stephanie Gibson as stepsister Gabrielle;
Peter Bartlett as Sebastian, Prince Topher's mentor and Lord Chancellor,
Todd Buonopane as the rebel Jean-Michel and
Phumzile Sojola as Lord Pinkleton.
Jill Abramovitz,
Kristine Bendul,
Callan Bergmann,
Kaitlyn Davidson,
Leslie Donna Flesner,
Shonica Gooden,
Kendal Hartse,
Jessica Hershberg,
Laura Irion,
Brandon Leffler,
Sam Lips,
Nathan Lucrezio,
Andy Mills,
Linda Mugleston,
Peter Nelson,
Jeff Pew,
Adam Rogers,
Kirstin Tucker,
Cody Williams and
Branch Woodman complete the cast.
CINDERELLA has music by
Richard Rodgers, lyrics by
Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by
Douglas Carter Beane and original book by
Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is directed by
Mark Brokaw.
Josh Rhodes is choreographer. Music adaptation, supervision and arrangements are by
David Chase. Orchestrations are by
Danny Troob.
Constantine Kitsopoulos is music director and conductor.
