“Cinderella”,
at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, continues the magic that only
musical theatre can bring to the stage. There is the magic of women,
three times, changing from rags into beautiful ball gowns right before
your eyes just by twirling around. There is the magic seeing a pumpkin
turned into a carriage with mice turned into horses to a fox and raccoon
turned into human acrobatic dancers.
Most of all
there is the magic of hearing a score with music by Richard Rodgers and
Oscar Hammerstein II, written in 1957, come alive in 2014 that you will
hum on your way out of the theatre. From the introspect of Cinderella’s
(Paige Faure) “In My Own Little Corner” to her stepsister Charlotte’s
(Aymee Garcia) funny “Stepsister’s Lament” to the duet between the fairy
godmother Marie (Kecia Lewis) and Cinderella singing “It’s Possible”,
not to forget Marie belting out “There’s Music In You” all adding magic
to a favorite fairytale.
Whether it is watching
the Prince (Andy Jones) and Cinderella waltzing or listening to their
duet of “Ten Minutes Ago” or having the Prince sing, in wonder, “Do I
Love You Because You’re Beautiful ?” you know you are seeing the love
story that we all want to come true and remember hearing as children.
Add
to all that magic the strong supporting performances of Blake Hammond
as the Prime Minister Sebastian, his herald Antoine L. Smith,
Cinderella’s other stepsister Gabrielle, played by Ashley Park, Beth
Glover as the stepmother and David Andino as a rebel who wants to make
things right along with a strong ensemble and you are transported to the
world of American musical theatre.
When you go
to see the magic of “Cinderella” if you meet the costume designer
William Ivey Long please ask him how he did Cinderella and Marie’s dress
changes, or if you figure it, out please DON'T tell me!
Running time 2 hours and 10 minutes with a 20 minute intermission.
Will next be going to Belk Theatre at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Charlotte, N.C.
Next at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami “The Book of Mormon” December 2-14