Jan 25 - 8pm
I am amazed at how little actual critique has been posted about this adaptation. Let me make this as clear as possible for anyone who is or was interested in seeing the first Broadway production of Cinderella; this is not a production of Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. The simple fact, regardless of how it is advertised, this is an adaptation using the original music.
Revisiting a classic piece and revising for a modern Broadway audience is controversial, but can be exciting. A good adaptation can be just what the doctor ordered for some products of the "golden age". However I would argue, strongly in this case, that "Cinderella" should have been mounted as a combination of the versions that currently exist in the public domain. The words that comes to mind when thinking about this adaptation are presumptuous and arrogant.
The addition and subtraction of story components was not necessary for this piece. Having seen and produced the show I can confidently say that the book holds up as strongly today as it ever has. While the attraction to add additional pieces must have been tempting, the result is something that felt as though the audience is watching a show that was written by someone who admired the forced comedy of "Spamalot" admired a modern fairytale like "Shrek", felt moved by the moral of "Billy Elliot" and designed by someone who is in love with the design of "Wicked". The entire show felt like a recycled piece of Broadway Bubblegum. Now, a good piece of bubblegum can be a fun two and a half hours; but that is all it will be. "Cinderella" is about love, loss, and life. It's a simple story, it's a classic fairytale, and above all it is a classic work. In a time when Broadway has become a merry-go-round of revivals and cookie cutter shows, this is a classic that has always deserved a Broadway mounting and unfortunately to this day has not had one.
The issues begin with the material and simply spiral out of control. I do not wish to be disrespectful of the professionals who are performing, but I do not feel as though this was the best performance of those onstage. Whether that is the cast or the musical direction is unknown. As an audience member I can say there were strong and weak points vocally. Technically the show is lacking in ways that were unexpected. There were elements that were expected and unfortunately elements that were lacking. On a stage that once had a helicopter land on stage, you would think there would be a castle that truly amazed. The size and scope of the Broadway Theatre's stage can lend to a massive set. This set was far from massive. Were there some special effects that amazed? Yes. Could it have been more? Absolutely. I admire and respect the stagehands that make the magic happen onstage, I just do not like to see them.
There will be people who disagree with this commentary and enjoy the adaptation. This was not the show I wanted to see. I just do not understand the production decisions. Perhaps one day in my lifetime there will be a production of "Rogers and Hammertein's Cinderella"; but for now we have "Cinderella" inspired by Rogers and Hammerstein.
Updated On: 1/26/13 at 10:28 PM
