CINDERELLA Previews Thread. — Page 19

I can't imagine you'd want to be in the rear mezzanine for this show, unless you want to sit there like I did, squint hard, and wonder (for the first few minutes or at least until she started singing) whether Victoria Clark was the stepmother or the fairy godmother! Just too far away...

It WAS hard to find empty seats to move closer to tonight, the place was nearly full. As far as TDF, I know this does happen occasionally, but it did annoy me when the guy in the box office tried to convince me that I actually had great seats that normally cost much more. I realize that I was taking a chance but seriously, buddy?

Yeah, I sat last row of the front mezzanine and it couldn't have been more perfect. I don't think I'd ever sit further back than that.

I revisited the show last night and there were quite a few changes. In addition to a few cut and trimmed scenes, the cut songs now include:

"I Have Loved and I've Learned"
"I Haven't Got a Worry in the World"
"Your Majesty: Dance"
"Now is the Time (Reprise)"

The show ran a good 2 hours 30 minutes. They could definitely cut another 10 minutes if they shorten a few dances that are lovely, but way too long IMO:

"The Prince Is Giving a Ball"
"Waltz for a Ball"
"The Pursuit"

They also cut the election, which I didn't really mind. If they're going to add that plot line I would rather they carry it out till then end. And it didn't take up that much time since it was in sequence with the slipper search.

Also, Cinderella's first transformation is a little different than I remember. MUCH smoother.

Does the Step Mother rip up Cinderella's dress? Someone mentioned about her ripping Cinderella's fathers coat, but it the photo of Laura and Vicky, it looks like Cinderella is in a ball dress of some kind.

Does anyone else think Clark's tiara makes her look like Frank, the rabbit from DONNIE DARKO?

Updated On: 2/14/13 at 05:34 PM

" One of the numerous things that we discussed was that the step mom and sisters weren't mean enough. Anyone that's been able to see the show, what are your thoughts?"

I feel just the opposite with regard to the stepmother. She was as mean as all get out, vicious mean. It was a little disturbing, actually.

As for the stepsisters, one befriended Cinderella, the other was snarky. I don't think Beane was able to present a clear idea of what these two characters were supposed to be.

Interesting to see the cut songs. They were eminently disposable. I can't figure out why they haven't cut the fight with the tree and the prince's very weak opening song.

If there's no longer an election, how does the ending work? What is the "villian" after? Does Jean Michelle just want to alert the Prince to the country's problems?

Vicky looks like a pink Maleficent.

SPOILERS

Gink, I was there tonight, and it just ends with the wedding. The Prince announces the election and the nominees, then Cinderella tries on the slipper and it fits, then he proposes, then they get married, the end. It's a shame that they've put in this ridiculous revolutionary subplot, because I think this could have been a truly magical show with a different "modernization" of the book. I love the idea of having Cinderella be more independent and go her own way, and having the Prince be more of a character than a fantasy, but I don't think the "revolution" was the way to go about doing it. The friendship that developed between Cinderella and Gabrielle would have been a great direction to take the story, but there was too much time wasted on the revolution for it to amount to anything. I think part of the problem is that DCB is just not quite funny enough; some times he gets great laughs, but more often than not it's just a few chuckles.

Some of the musical numbers did end up with that sort of magical, almost fantastical quality, especially "Impossible," "In My Own Little Corner," and "Ten Minutes Ago." Really, these were easily the strong point, all well-staged. There were some beautiful, beautiful moments in the orchestrations especially with the harp and strings, and I greatly appreciated the xylophone parts. The first time the Fairy Godmother flew out on stage was a great moment, helped along a lot by the light design, which I thought really added to the show.

Santino needs to go for it with the awkwardness, because right now he's not charming, but not quite socially inept enough to be endearing. Victoria Clark and the whole step-family gave great performances, but Laura Osnes was the real stand-out. Like someone before me said, she was born to sing these songs, they all sound so lyrical and effortless, like natural extensions of her speaking voice. She really won me over in "Ten Minutes Ago." It starts out with the Prince singing, and I know I was supposed to be focused on him, but I was instantly drawn to her. She has the most perfect expression for someone who has fallen in love and had their dreams come true, and she says it all without a word.

Overall, a strong production in every aspect except the revised book, which isn't weak, but simply falls rather flat and doesn't keep up with the magic of the rest of the show.

Nooooooo!!!! They cut I Have Loved and I've Learned?? That's the one trunk sing I wanted to hear the most! In fact, I wanted to hear all the trunk songs! I Haven't Got a Worry in the World sounds like a happy song, based on its title. And, I was looking forward to hearing Your Majesty: Dance. I love the music to the original song!

As for the stepfamily being ot that so mean, in all the Cinderella stories that I've seen or read, the R&H version (including all three movies) have the nicest wicked stepfamily. I mean, they even join Cinderella in song & dance during When You're Driving to the Moonlight and A Lovely Night, so I'm not surprised that they aren't that evil.

Nitpicky question that's been bothering me since the cast list with character names were posted: he's called Prince Topher, but Topher isn't one of the 12 names Hammerstein gave him. Did they change lyrics in "Prince is Giving A Ball" to include Topher in his names or is it explained as some kind of nickname?

Same lyrics...

"His royal highness Christopher Rupert..."

Topher is a nickname for Christopher.

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degrassifan, the Your Majesty motif reoccurs throughout, although there isn't really a chance for more than a few bars at a time.