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'Cinderella' tale taken to heart
(by Herb Hammer - August 11, 2011)
THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER
'Cinderella' tale taken to heart
When Rodgers and Hammerstein were given the opportunity to work with Julie Andrews, they jumped at the chance. CBS had signed Miss Andrews to do a television musical. Rodgers and Hammerstein thought the perfect vehicle would be the children's fairy tale "Cinderella."
In March 1957, the largest television audience in history tuned in to this first and only Rodgers and Hammerstein show written exclusively for television.
Since then, the show has been revised and repeated several times before landing on the London stage. Most stage versions now look quite different from the original.
Weathervane Playhouse in Akron has taken on the task of presenting its own version of "Cinderella" with great success.
Staying close to the original, director Sarah Elaine Bailey's young actor production is a shining example of the possibilities of "Cinderella." Her production team, with a stage full of young, talented performers, has taken the well-known fairy tale to heart.
Jasen J. Smith's colorful costumes appear to be of early 18th-century vintage. His many splashes of color appear in the opening scene on the village square, where the whole town turns out as the herald sings "The Prince is Giving a Ball." The ladies of the tiny kingdom just can't wait to meet the prince, for, now that he has reached his 21st birthday, he would be the perfect catch.
We are moved swiftly to the home where Cinderella, her ill-tempered stepmother and selfish stepsisters reside. The original story had Cinderella's father dying, leaving her to tend the house, only to be treated miserably by the three remaining women.
Meanwhile, back in the palace, the queen is eager for the prince to find a suitable bride among all the young ladies going to the ball.
Set designer Alan Scott Ferrall magically sends us back to Cinderella's home, where her stepsisters dress for the ball, then out they go, leaving Cinderella to dream of somehow going along. She sings "In My Own Little Corner" just before her fairy godmother arrives. Now the fun begins.
The fairy godmother quickly turns a pumpkin into a coach and magically turns four of the cutest little mice you've ever seen into horses to draw the carriage. We suddenly find Cinderella dressed in a gorgeous gown, a gown that could be worn to a ball. How clever.
Sticking close to the main theme, Cinderella shows up at the ball, meets the prince, who falls instantly in love with her. Then Cinderella runs away, abiding by her fairy godmother's orders. Alas, she has left her glass slipper behind.
The prince, determined to find Cinderella, tries the glass slipper on every young woman in the kingdom, and then, well, you know the rest.
Mr. Ferrall's sets are quite spectacular, and Miss Bailey directs with a sure yet forgiving hand. Many versions of this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical have inserted songs from other shows. Miss Bailey finds it convenient to do something similar.
Silver-voiced Brianna-Marie Bell is a lovely Cinderella with surprising stage presence. As Prince Charming, Brian Hirsch is of gallant royalty.
Also worth mention are the stepsisters, especially Haley Gallagher, who giggles her way into your heart. Brook Lytton is fine as the other stepsister.
Taylor Johns and James Davis Woods make a perfect queen and king. And all the rest, including fairy godmother Shannon Klainer, are just wonderful.
Two of the well-known songs from the show, "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" and "Ten Minutes Ago," are nicely sung.
This cleverly crafted version of the 1957 television production is worth the ride to Weathervane, just north of Akron. For tickets, call 330-836-2626.
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