CINDERELLA Reviews

Today is Sunday, March 3, marking the official opening night of a classic fairytale that's getting something of a face lift, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre more than 50 years after it premiered on black-and-white television screens in 1957. The new staging stars Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana. Under the direction of Mark Brokaw, the new production began previews January 25.

The musical has songs by lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II and composer Richard Rodgers. There is, however, a new book, which has updated the story a tad, penned by four-time Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane.

The cast, starring the aforementioned Osnes and Fontana, also boasts Tony Award winner Harriet Harris as Cinderella's Stepmother, Madame; Tony winner Victoria Clark as the Fairy Godmother, Marie; Peter Bartlett as Sebastian, the Prime Minister; Ann Harada as stepsister Charlotte; Marla Mindelle as stepsister Gabrielle; and Greg Hildreth as the rebel Jean-Michel.

Completing the cast are Phumzile Sojola (Porgy and Bess, Three Mo' Tenors) as Lord Pinkleton, as well as Jill Abramovitz, Kristine Bendul, Heidi Giberson, Stephanie Gibson, Shonica Gooden, Kendal Hartse, Robert Hartwell, Laura Irion, Andy Jones, Andy Mills, Linda Mugleston, Peter Nelson, Nick Spangler, Cody Williams, Branch Woodman, Kevin Worley, Drew Franklin, Adam Jepsen, Alessa Neeck and Kirstin Tucker.

Best wishes to all involved!

Updated On: 3/3/13 at 11:27 AM

I predict mixed for the production with general praise for the cast.

Will reviews be out tonight? Or tomorrow, since it's Sunday?

TD183, ALL negative, huh? That's pretty bold, I'd say, because I am so used to seeing critics disagree with each other about the same show, I'd be really shocked if you're right here. I guess we'll see later this evening, but I'd give pretty good odds against you. My own prediction is that the reviews will be mixed, and that the negatives will be addressed to the book. But I expect some highly positive reviews along with the negative.

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Updated On: 3/3/13 at 01:49 PM

and so it begins.....


Talkin' Broadway Cinderella review

Updated On: 3/3/13 at 07:57 PM

Reviews won't always open on my phone, is Talking Broadway positive or not?

Mixed

It's mixed. Glowing about Laura, costumes and choreography. Positive about Santino and other actors. Negative about book revisions, sets and direction.

Murray is a terrible writer, and that review is evidence enough.

I hope the production gets mostly positive reviews, but my expectation is mixed to negative on the revisions, but praise for the cast, Osnes especially.

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Updated On: 3/3/13 at 08:17 PM

I personally think Ann Harada could sneak in as the favorite of the supporting cast by critics.

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That Tribune review confirms my worst fears about the show. Wish I hadn't bought my ticket already, I would've waited for it to be on TDF again.

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They'll be able to get some major pull quotes from Variety, especially for Osnes.

Yes Kelly2, by all means just believe what critics may write about a show and regret buying your ticket now. Why does everyone give critics so much power? This is not a perfect show by any means but anyone giving it an outright negative review should not be allowed to step foot in a theater. If I had paid any mind to what critics say, I would have missed out on many of my favorite theater moments over the years. This production has many more positives than negatives and is well worth seeing regardless if what some of these hacks may write.

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