Theater Review: Cinderella
This is a FUN show. Not just for little girls, but for boys and moms and dads too. Emerald City Theatre has done a great job incorporating something entertaining for everyone. Cinderella is playing at the Apollo Theater through May 24, 2009. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for children.
Overall, the production is a fairly traditional telling of the Cinderella story. The originality comes from the humor, songs, and costumes. Cinderella and Prince Jason are the most conservative of the cast, but they are perfect. Both look great and have pretty and strong singing voices respectively. The other characters are sassy and over the top. Our favorites were Cinderella’s hilarious step family. They are big, bold and funny, lending a lot of physical humor to the show. The Fairy Godmother is young and brassy, giving a hipness to the part that was very enjoyable. Rounding out the cast is Wesley, the Prince’s valet, who gave a sly counterpoint to Prince Jason’s straight arrow style.
Both genders were represented in our little group that saw Cinderella this past weekend and all of us were laughing a one point or another. My son really enjoyed the sword fight between Prince Jason and his valet Wesley. When asked his favorite part of the show his response was, “When the guy got stabbed in his but,” which happened at the end of the fight. I had to admit it was pretty funny. I am not going to comment on the biggest laugh for the grown-ups, because I don’t want to ruin the surprise, but it’s good (really good). The writers have peppered the whole show with comedy for the adults, ranging from political references to pop culture, which is always appreciated.
When we asked the little girl of our group what her favorite part of the play was, she said, “The dresses the step-sisters wore to the ball.” I agree with her, they were fantastic. The kooky sisters were decked out in crazy colors and feathers that just amped-up their hilarity. Other costumes of note were the Fairy Godmother’s, dressed in all white with feathers, glitter, and shine, it added a lot to her cool persona. Cinderella’s dress was great too. It was made in such a way that her rags changed into a ballgown right on stage. All the kids watched with their mouths open - as if to ask, “How did that happen?”
The songs were well integrated into the show, moving the plot along to the music. We loved the Fairy Godmother’s “Magical Me” which she sings as she transforms Cinderella for the Ball. As well as the, ”The Prince has Got It Bad” where the step-sisters get even more laughs as they dance, and fall, all over the stage.
Take your family to see this show (really you can bring the whole family). It doesn’t have to be a mom and daughter day out if you don’t want it to be. My son said, “That was a really fast show Mommy!” All parents know what a huge compliment that is - he was entertained and the time flew by.