Review: A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS Lythgoe Family Panto Scores Big

A Cinderella Christmas/written by Kris Lythgoe/directed by Bonnie Lythgoe/Pasadena Playhouse/through January 8

For the last few years the uber talented Lythgoe family have been entertaining us at Christmastime, at the Pasadena Playhouse with a British style panto. A panto is an interactive entertainment that starts with a very contemporary retelling of a fairy tale such as Snow White, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, or in this case Cinderella and turns it into a fun imaginative show with music that will appeal to both children and their parents. There's usually an actor or two in drag, and a villain ... and audience are encouraged to root for the heroes and HISS loudly at the villains. It's all in amusement, of course, and this year's A Cinderella Christmas is all good fun with a superb cast, some fine pop singing and fast-paced dancing... and, first and foremost, a funfilled script by Kris Lythgoe. To pull the younger audience into the proceedings, crowns and magic wands are on sale. The kids wave their wands on high to encourage the union of Prince Charming (Kenton Duty) and Cinders, short for Cinderella (Lauren Taylor). The delightful family show plays at the Pasadena Playhouse throughout the holiday season until January 8.

Interaction is the name of the game in panto, and of course there is a narrator and friend Buttons (Matthew Patrick Davis) who sets the rules at the top. Every time he makes his entrance, he says "Hi 'ya kids!" and they respond "Hi 'ya Buttons!" He is secretly in love with Cinderella, and we feel his pain when she tells him she loves him like a brother, but like all good friends, he is there to see that she is happy and to move the plot forward with mischievous fun. Since the play is set in Pasadena, the two wicked stepsisters are named Hollywood (Ben Giroux) and Vine (Josh Adamson), guys in drag, who literally steal every scene they're in. They are made to look absurdly freakish and ugly, yet the stepmother Baroness Hardup is played by still lovely Morgan Fairchild, who I understood was under the weather opening night, but still went on, trouper that she is. Her plan to destroy Cinderella involves the two sisters tearing up Cinders' invitation to the Christmas Ball as well as ripping the dress she was prepared to wear. Thank heavens for Fairy GodPerson (Alex Newell) who sweeps in to save the day, dress Cinderella to the nines and send her on her way in a carriage made from a pumpkin. Two mice are converted into handsome coachmen. You know the story!

A word or two about the performances! Taylor sings beautifully and is so sincere as Cinderella that she effortlessly wins our hearts. Newell, known for his performance as the transgender character in TV's Glee, has a gorgeous voice and, although softspoken, makes Fairy sweet and caring, the ultimate friend to Cinderella. Since many of the script's lines are corn pone funny, you can't help but laugh when Newell makes his entrance and says, "I'm here to fill your life with glee!" Giroux and Adamson are over.the.top hilarious. Their costumes early on of a Pink's hotdog and an In 'n Out burger are deliciously plebeian and the kids just eat it up...figuratively, of course! Davis as Buttons has his silly moments as well, but he is most loved for his loyalty and sympathetic nature, sort of like a Jim Carrey. Davi Santos does well with the small role of Dandini, assistant to the Prince. Kudos as well to the six dancers so brightly choreographed by Spencer Liff. Bonnie Lythgoe directs divinely with just the right touches of satirical fun, never once forgetting that this is indeed a family show.

Praise to fabulous musical director Michael Orland and his orchestra, wardrobe people Kate Bergh and Florencia Carrizo, who designed Cinders' ballgown, set designer Ian Wilson, lighting designer Chris Wilcox and Sound Designer Steven Cahill.

Don't miss this Lythgoe Family Panto, A Cinderella Christmas through January 8 at the Pasadena Playhouse. As I said, but it is worth repeating, this is a family show, created by a family for the family. Kids will delight in the sight gags and fast-paced dances, parents in the campy jokes and music. It's a Christmas blast!

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