Cinderella on Broadway Review

Title: Cinderella

Length: 2 hour and 15 minutes - 1 intermission

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Official Site: http://cinderellaonbroadway.com/
 

GO SEE IT NOW!  I have been dying to see this musical ever since I heard it was in production in 2012.  So, finally, after a year of waiting for my chance to see this magical fairy tale, I got my chance on Saturday.  And  I loved it!

Let me tell you.  I'm not a fan of the fairy tale 'Cinderella'.  'Beauty and the Beast' will always be my favorite fairy tale.  (I have seen the musical for BatB . . . Unfortunately, not as good as Cinderella's.)  So, why my need to see this musical?  Despite not being my favorite, I love fairy tales no matter what and I definitely wanted to show my appreciation for bringing fairy tales back to the theatre.  And Rodgers and Hammerstein's version of Cinderella is my absolute favorite.  (Sorry. I didn't like the Disney version.)

There are 3 versions of R&H's Cinderella.  My favorite, of course, was Brandy's version of it.  Man, I could watch the movie over and over again.  I have seen Julie Andrews's version and personally, I thought it was okay.  Nothing outstanding about it.  I sold it after watching it once.  Eeek.  I'm currently ordering the one with Lesley Ann Warren.  I'm hoping this version is close to the musical.  However, from what I heard and read, the musical was slightly rewritten to make it longer by adding new subplots, new music numbers and new characters.  So, if you are interested in seeing the musical, watch these movies just to get a feel for the story.  Each movie is slightly different to add their own touch to the whimsical tale.
 
Now, we had tickets for the 8 pm show.  Our 4-person group was there at 7:00 and decided to take pictures before wandering around.  Surprisingly, we wasted 30 minutes taking awful pictures.  We just couldn't get the 'Cinderella' sign and us to show up on camera.  If the sign was good, we weren't.  Then we were good, the sign blurred.  So frustrating to say the least.

By the time, we finished, a long line already formed!  When did that happen?  O-O  So, we decided to line up and luckily, we manage to breeze through the ticket line.  Of course, before we grabbed our seats, my tradition is to buy one thing from each musical that I have seen.  Hairspray - a black hoodie.  Lion King - a stuffed Simba.  Mary Poppins - a Mary Poppins doll.  And so on.  I was trying to see what they had available and this caught my eye and I fell in love with it.

Yes.  This hoodie was aimed for children, as I was told.  I don't care.  I had to have it.  For $60, I'm a new owner of a Cinderella hoodie.  I have to say, this is better than other hoodies that I have bought from other shows.  The label actually claims the Broadway musical, instead the generic hoodie brand.  So, that's majorly neat.  And the crown was a nice touch.  If you are planning on buying one for yourself, I'm an adult size 4-6.  I purchased a size XXL and it fits perfectly.  But the seller will show you the item before you purchase it.  So, take a good look at it before buying.  It's too much money to waste if it doesn't fit.  And no, I don't have a picture of myself in this yet.  I'm trying to keep my hoodie pristine.  You cannot get this anywhere else.  You have to buy from their website directly or at the theatre. 

I'm also investing in the program book.

And yes, dear friends, this is my new obsession.  Goodbye, Twilight.  But it's soo hard to find decent images from the play and I want beautiful pictures of the cast and costumes.  I really have the urge to draw this.  I just order it.  It's ashame it is only 35 pages.  For $20, I expected more.  I'll let you know when it comes in.

Now, NO PICTURE ALLOWED AT ALL!  Usually, before the show starts, I like to take pics of the set up on stage.  I NEVER take pictures or videos during shows.  NEVER.  I do have manners.  But I was yelled at for trying to take a shot.  Pouting, I put my camera away as people with their iPhones takes pictures.  So, unfair.  Anyways, the ushers told everyone after that.  So, I wasn't the only one.  =P  For those who are in the area or planning on seeing the musical, just to warn you.


I'm going to try my best to avoid any spoilers.  (However, if you have any questions, write a comment below and I'll get back to you through that.)  The show itself was slightly different from the movies.  The beginning was different.  As my sister's husband said, "That scene was for the guys."  I didn't really get it.  It was so corny.  But as I was mentioning earlier, this was the writer's attempt to give our dear Prince a personality.  They added a new main character and added an additional twist that gave the story some added oomph.  Now the casting was spot on.  I thought Santina Fontana playing Prince Topher didn't really match but by the end, I fell in love with him.  It just worked.  *sigh* Santina Fontana has a slight 'naive' or youthful appearance to him that made his role as the prince perfect for him.  I have a new crush.  Topher lacked confidence but by the end, he really came into his own.  And Laura Osnes, as Ella, was amazing.  Together, you can honestly feel the chemistry between the two.  It's ashame that they are both already happily married.  They would be so perfect together.  The stepmother was expected.  The stepsisters were an unexpected delight.  They were our comedic relief and since they had a slight change that I liked, they gave a down to earth appeal.

OH!  I have to mention the amazing costume changes.  They were seamless and happened within seconds.  Everyone was gasping at the fluidity of the change and the casts never left stage!
 

OH! Part 2.  I do have to mention the chase scene was my absolute favorite choreography.  With the raccoon and the fox, it just worked and I was on the edge of my seat as I watched them being cornered.  This is a scene worth paying for.  Beautifully done.

The singing . . . I have to say the Broadway Cast wins hands down.  Tell me this doesn't send shivers down your spine.


Their voices are clear and strong.  As much as I like Brandy, her husky voice just didn't work.  I would highly recommend getting this CD version.  I have owned the Julie Andrews's version and I sold that as well.  I'm not a big fan of hers obviously. 

Why didn't I give a full 5 stars?  There were a few scenes that was a little slow.  So, that was my only complaint.  But overall, I greatly enjoyed this musical and if it ever comes into my area, I'm going to drag my sister to go see this with me again.