Review: CINDERELLA Entrances The Fabulous Fox Theatre

The newly re-imagined production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is currently waltzing across the country in a national tour that stops at Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre on November 3-8, 2015. This true spectacle features impressive costumes and beautiful voices that bring a new life to a classic story.

The heart of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is the classic music. CINDERELLA is one of those few shows where every song is memorable. With hits such as "Ten Minutes Ago", "Impossible", and "In My Own Little Corner", chances are good that even the youngest audience members have previously heard music from this production. This newly re-imagined production features musical adaptations and arrangements by David Chase and whimsical orchestrations by Danny Troob.

This new production also features a brand new book by Douglas Carter Beane. Beane adds a sense of humor that lacks in the previous versions of this show. In addition to adding humor, Beane gives this well-known story a more meaningful moral that certainly radiates with modern audiences. The characters have more dimensions and the audience is given more of an insight into what makes these characters tick. The prince, for example, in this production is princely but has no knowledge on how to rule a kingdom. He discovers that it is through thinking for himself and connecting directly with all of his people that he can once again bring harmony to his kingdom. Beane also adds the character of Jean-Michel, a revolutionary who falls in love with stepsister Gabrielle. This gives the stepsister a sense of likability where the stepsisters are usually viewed as evil. Even the character of Cinderella is slightly altered. This production focuses more on Cinderella's need to fight for her dreams in order to make her dreams come true. Overall, Beane's new book gives the story more meat and meaning.

William Ivey Long won Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Tony awards for his costume design for CINDERELLA, and it is clear to see why. At first sight, Long's designs are beautiful with attention to detail. Cinderella's gowns alone would make anyone envious, but the most impressive element of Long's design is that many of the costume changes happen onstage by what appears to be magic. With the flip of a piece or a pull of a pin and some strategic costume choreography, the change is complete, flowing perfectly with the music or scene. William Ivey Long's design is exactly what a production of CINDERELLA needs.

The ensemble of CINDERELLA performs Josh Rhodes' choreography, including the Cinderella Waltz, beautifully. The cast is made up of some truly graceful dancers. Kaitlyn Davidson is absolutely winsome as Ella. She tackles Rodgers and Hammerstein score with a voice that floats on air. Andy Huntington Jones plays Topher with an awkwardness that appears very sincere and genuine while also heartwarming. Aymee Garcia caught many laughs as stepsister Charlotte. Other notable performances include David Andino and Kimberly Faure as side couple Jean-Michel and Gabrielle.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA plays Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree Street NE) November 3-8, 2015. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://foxtheatre.org. You can also follow the tour on twitter @CinderellaBway.

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