BWW Reviews: Charming Production of DISNEY'S CINDERELLA By Stages St. Louis

Nearly everyone is familiar with the tale of Cinderella. You've either been read the story as a child, or perhaps viewed one of the many movie versions. It's just one of those things that seems to creep into our subconscious through osmosis. In fact, variations continue to pop up in books and films to this day. It's even become part of our language; the so-called "Cinderella stories",which find people (often athletes) triumphing over adversity. The classic was brought to life in an animated feature with music (compositions by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston) by Walt Disney in 1950, and it continues to enchant audiences as evidenced by the rapt attention the young crowd gave the current version being presented by Stages St. Louis.

Cinderella lives in a small cottage with her wicked stepmother and equally officious stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella. When invitations to a ball at the royal palace are announced, it seems certain that she might actually be included in the festivities, but her stepmother saddles her with a long list of chores that will occupy her time while her and her daughters enjoy themselves. Enter her helpful mice friends, along with her Fairy Godmother, and you have a recipe for an evening spent dancing with Prince Charming. Of course, the clock strikes midnight and she loses one of her glass slippers in her haste to exit the castle. The Prince thinks he's found true love, and a search ensues for the owner of the transparent footwear.

Becca Andrews is absolutely radiant as Cinderella, and she does wonderful work on the lovely song "A Dream is a Wish Your Hearts Makes". Kari Ely makes a particularly nasty stepmother, and Laura Ernst (Anastasia) and Paula Landry (Drizella) are properly officious and obnoxious as the stepsisters who torment Cinderella. Paul Pagano (Jaq), April Strelinger (Perla), Kyle Gunby (Gus), and Lexi Lessaris (Luka) are a lot of fun as the mice that come to Cinderella's aid. Pamela Reckamp has the right ethereal quality as the Fairy Godmother, and Joe Grandy is handsome and stalwart as Prince Charming. John Flack also contributes nicely as the Grand Duke.

Director/choreographer Stephen Bournef has mounted a handsome productions that moves at just the right pace to keep the audience engaged. Mark Halpin's changeable scenic design suits the subject matter well, and it looks very good under the lighting scheme of Scott Glasscock. Jeff Shearer's costumes fit the story and characters like a glove, and Lisa Campbell Albert's musical direction (orchestral design by Stuart Elmore) finds the entire cast in excellent voice.

Stages St. Louis has put together an exceptional production of Disney's Cinderella, and it's a perfect treat for young audiences. Their presentation continues through June 30, 2013.

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