I can't resist a musical with a strong female role model. (Wait, are we are talking about Cinderella here, right?) Most of us remember the princess fairytale starring the downtrodden delicate flower trapped under the thumb of her wicked stepmother, who by a chance of magic, meets Prince Charming who whisks her away from a life of servitude. The moral: girls, you too can become glamourous royalty if you're helpless, blonde, and have petite feet.
That Cinderella is so 100 years ago.
 |
Prince Topher and Cinderella
Courtesy of Broadway Across America
|
Broadway in Cincy introduces us to the modern
Cinderella, Rodgers and Hammerstein's version, who is a refreshing update of a self-assured woman. Cinderella knows grit, but she's also a self-educated community activist. Her stepmother, Madame, and stepsister Charlotte are still both hair-raisngly wicked, but her other stepsister, the timid Gabrielle, becomes Cinderella's confidant. There's plenty of bippity-boppity-boo, pumpkins, and glitz from the traditional story, but this time it's not all about a glass slipper. Cinderella is tasked with convincing the Prince that there is corruption in his court and the poor are being robbed of their land. Now how's that for a plot transformation? R+H do a fantastic job of adding personality and depth to the two-dimensional storybook characters of yesteryear and develop a plot that will keep audience of all ages engaged and intrigued.
 |
Cinderella, Madame, and stepsisters Gabrielle and Charlotte.
Courtesy of Broadway Across America
|
 |
Step-sister Charlotte and the ensemble fuss over shoes.
Courtesy of Broadway Across America
|
Cinderella, played by Paige Faure (an awesome name for a leading lady, if I may say so myself) woos the audience with her graceful vocals; keeping Cinderella elegant while daring to chase her dreams. My favorite was easily Kecia Lewis, who plays the fairy godmother. She flies, has rafter-shaking vocals, and comes brings an assortment of visual magic on stage.
 |
Kecia Lewis and Paige Faure in Cinderella.
Courtesy of Broadway Across America
|
The behind-the-scenes folks go above and beyond for
Cinderella, with elaborate costume changes and pumpkin carriages morphing right before your eyes. The effects will leave even the most analytical-minded adults wondering "
How did they do that!?"
 |
Cinderella's pumpkin carriage is... magical.
Courtesy of Broadway Across America
|
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella runs through January 18, 2015 at The Aronoff.
