Cinderella - musical from the past

[mmFan]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 12:33pm

Hi,

Cinderella is coming to my home town later this year and wanted to hear if it was any good (as I know it was on Broadway before)?  And  I'm assuming that it is something that a 6 year old would enjoy?  (She quite enjoys musicals...especially if she knows the music)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 12:37pm

I was astounded at how good it was; I only went because of vague curiosity and a desire to see Nick Spangler go on as the Prince. I don't normally like Douglas Carter Beane's modernizations and hokey jokes, but luckily neither were too intrusive here. And yes, a 6-year-old would definitely enjoy it.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 2:20pm

I completely agree.  And if you look at the reviews of the show in each city where the show has toured (Louisville, KY being the last one) the critics have agreed as well.  Here's a link to that most recent review:

http://louisville.broadway.com/buzz/182054/now-is-the-time-national-tour-of-rodgers-hammersteins-cinderella-throws-a-ball-in-louisville/

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 2:23pm

I didn't think I would like the new adaptation but it was actually pretty enjoyable. Outside of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein songs, the scenery, costumes and special effects are the real star of this production though. It would be a wonderful show to take a young girl to see.

[mmFan]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 3:13pm

Thank you for the replies.  She did see the recent movie and enjoyed it, but I almost felt it was more grown up.  But it sounds like the musical is a good one!

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 3:24pm

I loved this tour. I noticed that older audiences were the ones who complained the most. They are used to the 3 live television productions and expect to see that on stage. I love this 2013 broadway version. I've heard to the cast recording since it went out. So I was very much here for it. The score is among the best. It's a great night at the theatre.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 6:43pm

Jose and I don't always agree but I'm with him on this one. I think it's one of R&H's best scores.

 

I didn't see the recent "revisal", but I can't imagine why they would make it inappropriate for a six-year-old. That should be their prime audience! Not because the play is childish (I love it and I'm 10 X 6), but because it dramatizes the story with a complete lack of irony.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 6:48pm

I may be in the minority, but imo, the Douglas Carte Beane version was horrible. All the politics, a six year old won't get that. On tour does the fairy godmother fly? She would like that.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:07pm

I believe you, but would a child care?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:08pm

The added political plot line was unnecessary and it does make what was previously a 90 minute show into a full blown 2 and a half hours but I still think there's enough there for kids to enjoy. Yes, the fairy godmother flies on tour.  

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:10pm

I'd actually never seen any version of Cinderella (other than the Disney cartoon) before I saw it on Broadway, so I guess my experience was pretty close to being a 6-year-old, except for not actually being a 6-year-old...

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:28pm

When the touring production of Cinderella visited Des Moines, IA last June on the night I watched (a Friday) there were a lot of little girls in the theater wearing their Disney princess costumes! Looked like a wonderful evening out for the girls (and their parents!) As for grown-up me I enjoyed the show (even if a bit different from the story I grew up with!) 

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:32pm

The broadway version makes it enjoyable for everyone. Kids to the parents who felt dragged along.. Even if you don't like the story, the score alone is so beautiful. Those instrumentals are breath taking to hear.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:37pm

For those who don't want their CINDERELLA burdened with governmental affairs, the original live broadcast (or the dress rehearsal thereof) is available in B&W on DVD. It stars Julie Andrews and Kaye Ballard and Walter Pigeon and Ginger Rogers and Edie Adams. I believe Jon Cypher (later of HILL STREET BLUES) plays the prince.

 

I grew up with the Leslie Ann Warren/color version myself, and Miss Warren is very good. But nobody beats Miss Andrews and Miss Adams. And because it was a live production, it is much like watching a taping of a play.

 

ETA the score is much the same as the recent revisal, so if you want to test it on your six-year-old, let her watch the DVD first. I know I didn't care if I knew the ending when I was six, much like any kid likes to have a favorite book read over and over again. Children suspend their disbelief quite readily.

 

Updated On: 9/21/15 at 07:37 PM

[mmFan]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:45pm

ebontoyan said: "When the touring production of Cinderella visited Des Moines, IA last June on the night I watched (a Friday) there were a lot of little girls in the theater wearing their Disney princess costumes! Looked like a wonderful evening out for the girls (and their parents!) As for grown-up me I enjoyed the show (even if a bit different from the story I grew up with!) "

Oh my gosh, that's so cute.  I wouldn't have even thought of that. My daughter would surely love to dress up, and especially in her Cinderella dress.

 

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 7:55pm

^I was a bit surprised of the first Disney princess costume sighting...but they all looked very cute and that it was the most natural thing!

[mmFan]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 8:25pm

Is the musical different than the recent Cinderella movie?  We did see that and there were as many adults as there were kids.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 8:33pm

It's very different. The village is in political turmoil and Cinderella herself inspires change within the kingdom and some new laws are put in place. She also initially retrieves the lost slipper at the ball and later takes matters into her own hands and leaves the slipper at a banquette as a clue allowing the prince to find her.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 8:37pm

Yes, it's very different from Disney's Cinderella (both the recent film and the animated musical from 1950). Well, maybe not "very," but it's a different score and with some added characters and subplots. It premiered on television in 1956 and starred Julie Andrews and has a (terrific) score by Rodgers & Hammerstein. It was on television again in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren and a third time on ABC (a little strange since Disney already had a Cinderella) starring Whitney Houston (as the Godmother) and Brandy; they were originally going to make the movie several years earlier starring Houston as Cinderella, but production stalled and she felt she had grown out of the part...a shame, since her voice would have been terrific singing Ella's songs, whereas I've never enjoyed Brandy's thin alto. It's a cute movie though, with Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber and Bernadette Peters all co-starring. The version that is on tour is Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, which was on Broadway recently (and for the first time). It should be enjoyable for people of all ages!

 

ETA: the subplots are mentioned in the post above!

Updated On: 9/21/15 at 08:37 PM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 9:01pm

There were many little girls in princess costumes when I saw it too, and it was super cute. They were all super behaved too hardly a peep.

 

I personally also thought the political angle was a bit shoe-horned but my sister (who is much more socially conscious than I am) admired it regarding the main audience of young girls, opening their minds and such. As to whether or not any of it could possible stick I couldn't say but it's an interesting viewpoint. 

Updated On: 9/21/15 at 09:01 PM

[mmFan]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 9:06pm

Thanks for the explanations.  Had no idea it was on tv in the past outside of the classic cartoon version. 

It sounds like it's something for everyone...kids can enjoy the general classic story, and adults perhaps can get more out of it with any political references. 

[gleek4114]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 11:22pm

I traveled to Cincinnati in January and saw it again this past weekend in Louisville, and I can not praise this production enough. I love the new "modern" book, and the production is impeccable. Not to mention the stellar cast. No weak links anywhere (with Beth Glover and Aymee Garcia being the standouts for me). Liz McCarthy as also fabulous as Marie (I felt the need to mention her because I saw the equally talented Kecia Lewis-Evans in Cincinnati). Do yourself a favor and buy a ticket. A truly wonderful evening in the theater!

[mmFan]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 7:49am

gleek4114 said: "I traveled to Cincinnati in January and saw it again this past weekend in Louisville, and I can not praise this production enough. I love the new "modern" book, and the production is impeccable. Not to mention the stellar cast. No weak links anywhere (with Beth Glover and Aymee Garcia being the standouts for me). Liz McCarthy as also fabulous as Marie (I felt the need to mention her because I saw the equally talented Kecia Lewis-Evans in Cincinnati). Do yourself a favor and buy a ticket. A truly wonderful evening in the theater!"

 

Already have...bought tickets last night.  It's not coming until December but we all look forward to it.

One question about the music...it's not something that you sing along to is it?  I listened to the small tidbits on itunes and it seems pretty but not catchy songs.

 

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 8:59am

No musical is something you sing along to.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 9/22/15 at 11:51am

Not only does the score contain "catchy music", I can almost guarantee that after you see the show you'll want to download the OCR starring Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana and Victoria Clark.  There are multiple tunes that you'll want to hear over and over, e.g. "Ten Minutes Ago", "In My Own Little Corner", "Impossible" and "There's Music in You."