Cinderella (2013 Broadway production)

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Music Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Oscar Hammerstein II
Book Oscar Hammerstein II and Douglas Carter Beane
Productions 2013 Broadway
2014 North American tour

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella is a musical in two acts with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Douglas Carter Beane based partly on Hammerstein's 1957 book. The story is based upon the fairy tale Cinderella, particularly the French version Cendrillon, ou la Petite Pantoufle de Verre, by Charles Perrault. The story concerns a young woman forced into a life of servitude by her cruel stepmother, who dreams of a better life. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is transformed into an elegant young lady and is able to attend the ball to meet her Prince, but, in this version, she must open the Prince's eyes to the injustice in his kingdom.

Rodgers and Hammerstein originally wrote the songs for a 1957 television broadcast starring Julie Andrews, and it was remade twice for television and adapted for the stage in various versions prior to the Broadway production. The 2013 adaptation was the first version of Cinderella with the Rodgers and Hammerstein score mounted on Broadway. The new book by Beane introduces several new characters and a sympathetic stepsister, and the score features several new Rodgers and Hammerstein songs. The production originally starred Laura Osnes in the title role and Santino Fontana as the Prince and ran for 770 performances. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning one, for best costumes. It began a US national tour in 2014.

Background

Main article: Cinderella (musical)
Stuart Damon, as the Prince; Lesley Ann Warren, as Cinderella (1965)

The original 1957 broadcast starred Julie Andrews as Cinderella and Jon Cypher as the Prince.[1] More than 107 million viewers saw the broadcast.[2][3] The musical was staged at the London Coliseum in 1958 in a holiday pantomime adaptation that also used songs from Me & Juliet.[4] Rodgers and Hammerstein signed with CBS.[5] Stage versions began to appear in U.S. theatres by 1961.[4]

After the musical's success in its initial broadcast and as a stage production, the network decided another television version of Cinderella was needed. CBS mounted another production in 1965 with a new script that hewed closer to the traditional tale, although nearly all of the original songs were retained.[4][6] Lesley Ann Warren was "introduced" in the title role.[7] The New York City Opera produced the musical in 1993 and revived it several times.[8] A United States tour played from November 2000 through 2001,[9] stopping at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.[10] The 1997 television re-make, the only one of the three versions shot on film, was adapted by Robert L. Freedman and directed by Robert Iscove, with choreography by Rob Marshall. This version featured a racially diverse cast, with Brandy as Cinderella, Whitney Houston as her fairy godmother, Bernadette Peters as Ella's stepmother, and Paolo Montalbán as the Prince. Several songs were added.[11][12]

A 30-week Asian tour of Cinderella starred Lea Salonga, beginning in 2008, and [13] an all-female production of the musical in Japan in 2008 featured J-Pop group Morning Musume and veteran members of the Takarazuka Revue.[14][15]

Production

Douglas Carter Beane wrote a new book for the musical's first Broadway production, which began previews on January 25, 2013 and opened on March 3, 2013 at The Broadway Theatre.[16] In Beane's plot, Cinderella opens Prince Topher's eyes to the injustice in the kingdom. The Prince's parents have died, leaving the kingdom in the hands of a villainous prime minister, who has been the Prince's mentor and has duped his young charge into approving oppressive legislation.[17] The rebel Jean-Michel, a new character, and stepsister Gabrielle are in love, and the two seek to overthrow the government. The score includes the best-known songs from the original version and features four songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalogue, including "Now is the Time", cut from South Pacific.[18] The show was given workshop productions in 2012.[19][20]

Mark Brokaw directed the production, with Josh Rhodes choreographing, and the original cast included Laura Osnes in the title role, Santino Fontana as the Prince, Victoria Clark as Crazy Marie/the Fairy Godmother, Harriet Harris as Ella's stepmother, Peter Bartlett as the Prime Minister, Ann Harada and Marla Mindelle as stepsisters Charlotte and Gabrielle, and Greg Hildreth as the rebel Jean-Michel.[10] Designers include Anna Louizos (sets), William Ivey Long (costumes) and Kenneth Posner (lighting).[21] The show's initial reviews were mixed.[22][23][24]

Rebecca Luker replaced Clark from September 2013 to January 2014.[25] Carly Rae Jepsen and Fran Drescher were replacements for Ella and the Stepmother, both making their Broadway debuts, from February 2014 to June 2014.[26][27] Paige Faure stepped into the role of Ella, and Nancy Opel began performances as the Stepmother, from to September 2014.[28] Keke Palmer, Sherri Shepherd, and Judy Kaye joined the cast as Ella, the Stepmother, and the Fairy Godmother in September 2014.[29][30] A report in The Guardian commented, regarding Palmer, that "casting an African American actor as such an iconic – and typically pale – character is emblematic of the progress Broadway is making, slowly and haltingly, in employing actors of color in a broader array of parts."[31] On September 23, 2014, Lesley Ann Warren joined the cast during the curtain call for an encore performance of "Impossible", to celebrate the 50th anniversary release of the 1965 television version, in which she played Cinderella.[32] NeNe Leakes replaced Shepherd from November 2014. The production closed on January 3, 2015, after 41 previews and 770 regular performances.[33]

The production began a national tour on October 10, 2014 in Providence, Rhode Island. The tour is scheduled to continue at least until May 2016.[34][35] Faure stars as Ella opposite Andy Jones as Topher.[36] Fran Drescher reprised the role of the Stepmother during the tour's engagement in Los Angeles, lasting from March through April 2015.[37] The tour recouped its investment after six months.[35]

Notable cast replacements

Note: only replacements of notable players in principal roles are listed below.[33]

Plot

Act I

A young woman named Ella lives with her stepmother and stepsisters, who treat her like a servant girl ever since the death of her late father. Because she sits by the fireplace and is dirty from the cinders, they call her "Cinderella". Ella dreams of a better life ("Prologue").

The prince of the kingdom is named Topher (short for Christopher); his parents have died, and he is advised by Lord Chancellor Sebastian. Though an expert at slaying dragons, griffins, gargoyles and giants, he feels uncertain about how he will rule as king when the time comes ("Me, Who Am I?"). Prince Topher and Ella meet as he is on his way to the palace. She offers him a drink of water, and they share a moment before he departs. Ella then speaks with two of her friends: Jean-Michel, an erstwhile revolutionary, and Crazy Marie, a woman who lives at the edge of the forest and gathers what others throw away. Soon arrive Ella's stepmother Madame and stepsisters, the demanding Charlotte and the meek Gabrielle. After they go inside, Ella again reflects on her dreams of a better life ("In My Own Little Corner").

In the palace, Sebastian and his henchman, Lord Pinkleton, persuade the Prince it is time for a Royal Wedding; a big ball will be held to find the bride. Pinkleton goes to the town square to make the announcement and finds Jean-Michel rallying the townsfolk to raise their voices in protest of the government's policies ("The Prince is Giving a Ball" / "Now Is the Time").

Madame's cottage is a whirl of activity as the stepmother and stepsisters prepare for the ball. They leave Ella behind, but Jean-Michel arrives to argue that Prince Topher needs to know more about the people of his kingdom. He teases Ella that she should put on a pretty gown and tell Topher that times are about to change. Crazy Marie jokes with Ella about how life could be better ("In My Own Little Corner" (reprise) / "Fol-De-Rol"). Marie reveals herself to be Ella's Fairy Godmother and transforms a pumpkin and animals into a carriage with a footman and a driver; she turns Ella's rags into a beautiful gown ("Impossible"). She sends Ella to the ball with one caveat – the magic will expire at the stroke of midnight ("It's Possible").

The ball features magnificent dancing ("Gavotte"). Ella enters in her white ballgown, but no one recognizes her. Her kindness and sense of fairness fascinate Prince Topher, and their song becomes a grand waltz ("Ten Minutes Ago" / "Waltz for a Ball"). Too soon, the clock begins to strike midnight. Ella had just enough time to tell the Prince that all is not well in his domain. She races down the stairs and trips, losing her shoe, but she quickly retrieves it and dashes off.

Act II

Laura Osnes as Cinderella, and Santino Fontana as the Prince

The Prince is determined to find the mysterious woman who spoke so honestly about the kingdom. The women of the court, led by stepsister Charlotte, ask why the Prince had not chosen any of them to be his love ("Stepsister's Lament"). A wild chase ensues, and the prince and his guards search high and low; they almost catch Ella ("The Pursuit").

Once again dressed in rags, Ella returns to the cottage and remembers how wonderful the Prince was ("He was Tall"). Madame, Charlotte and Gabrielle soon return in state of dejection. Ella tells them what she "imagines" the night at the palace must have been like ("When You're Driving Through the Moonlight"), including dancing with the Prince ("A Lovely Night"). Madame and her daughters and stepdaughter have a moment of shared emotion, for once. Soon, shy Gabrielle and Ella are left alone, and Gabrielle realizes that Ella was the woman at the ball. Gabrielle reveals herself to be not only an ally, but also in love with Jean-Michel, the firebrand. They vow to keep their secrets ("A Lovely Night" (reprise)).

Prince Topher continues his search ("Loneliness of Evening"), gradually realizing that Sebastian had been leading him down the wrong path. Topher decides to hold a second event to find the woman of truth. The night of the banquet arrives, and Gabrielle gives Ella her dress to attend the feast. Jean-Michel arrives at the house and confesses his love to Gabrielle. However, Madame catches them and also sees Ella in Gabrielle's dress. She tears the gown to shreds and kicks Gabrielle and Jean-Michel out of the house, telling them never to return. Madame then takes Charlotte to the banquet. In the nick of time, the Fairy Godmother produces perfect attire and helps Ella build her confidence for another frank talk with the Prince ("There is Music in You").

At the palace, Ella tells the prince how he could be a great king, and he immediately announces an election for Prime Minister between Jean-Michel and Sebastian. Topher is now ready to be a leader and knows the partner he needs in love and life ("Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful"). Suddenly, the clock begins to chime midnight. Ella races down the stairs but pauses and purposely leaves a shoe behind.

The Prince gives all of the women of the kingdom a chance to try on the glass slipper. Everyone is unsuccessful until Ella tries it on, and it fits her foot perfectly. Madame apologizes to Ella for her cruelty, and Ella forgives both her and Charlotte. Gabrielle and Jean-Michel's relationship is approved by Madame, and she welcomes her daughter back into her life. Jean-Michel is elected Prime-Minister, Topher and Ella wed, and they all live happily ever after (The Wedding: "There is Music in You").

Musical numbers

Unlike the three-act television version, the 2013 Broadway production is performed in two acts with additional songs, including "Me, Who Am I?", "Now Is the Time", "The Pursuit", "Loneliness of Evening" and "There's Music in You".[38]

Act I
  • "Overture" – Orchestra
  • "Prologue" – Orchestra and Ella
  • "Me, Who Am I?" – Topher, Sebastian, Lord Pinkleton, Knights and Pages
  • "In My Own Little Corner" – Ella
  • "Now Is the Time" – Jean-Michel
  • "The Prince Is Giving a Ball" – Lord Pinkleton, Townspeople, Madame, Charlotte, Gabrielle, Ella and Marie
  • "Cinderella March" – Orchestra
  • "In My Own Little Corner" (reprise) / "Fol-De-Rol" – Ella and Marie
  • "Impossible/It's Possible" – Marie and Ella
  • "Gavotte" – Sebastian, Topher, Lord Pinkleton, Madame, Charlotte, Gabrielle and Lords & Ladies of the Court
  • "Ten Minutes Ago" – Topher and Ella
  • "Waltz for a Ball" – Orchestra
  • "Ten Minutes Ago" (reprise) – Topher, Ella and Lords & Ladies of the Court
Act II
  • "Entr'acte" – Orchestra
  • "Stepsister's Lament" – Charlotte and Ladies of the Court
  • "The Pursuit" – Topher, Lord Pinkleton, Lords of the Court, Pages, Ella, the Footman and the Driver
  • "He Was Tall" – Ella
  • "When You're Driving Through the Moonlight" – Ella, Madame, Charlotte and Gabrielle
  • "A Lovely Night" – Ella, Madame, Charlotte and Gabrielle
  • "A Lovely Night" (reprise) – Ella and Gabrielle
  • "Loneliness of Evening" – Topher and Ella
  • "Announcing the Banquet" – Sebastian, Lord Pinkleton, Heralds and Madame
  • "There's Music in You" – Marie
  • "Now Is the Time" (reprise) – Jean-Michel and Gabrielle
  • "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" – Topher and Ella
  • "The Shoe Fits" / "The Proposal" – Topher, Ella and Company
  • "Finale" – Marie and Company

Reception

Ben Brantley of The New York Times called the production a "glittery patchwork of a show" that "wants to be reassuringly old-fashioned and refreshingly irreverent, sentimental and snarky, sincere and ironic, all at once." Brantley added that the show "doesn’t seem to know quite what" it wants to be.[17] The Financial Times praised the cast, especially Osnes, the costumes and the choreography and opined that "the production is an absolute joy, marred only by occasional slowness of pace."[39] Richard Zoglin, writing for Time magazine, noted that the new production is "brightly colored, high spirited and well sung", but comparing it with the "emotionally alive" 1957 broadcast, he found the original stepsisters to be "more credible and less cartoonish than their present-day equivalents" and thought that the Prince and Cinderella "make a dreamier pair – you actually can believe they are falling in love. ... The new Broadway version, for all its hip updating, is a much less adventurous project."[40] A reviewer from the Chicago Tribune wrote:

The fundamental problem with ... Beane's perplexing, wholly unromantic and mostly laugh-free new book ... – which turns the heroine into a social reformer ... the stepsisters ... into sympathetic, wounded creatures of thwarted desire, and Prince Charming ... into a myopic dunce who needs his eyes opened to the poverty of his people – is that it denies the audience the pleasure of instant reversals of fortune. ... This new version ends up collapsing the basic logic of the familiar story and tramples all over the musical soul of a score from another era.[22]

On the other hand, an Associated Press review praised Beane's script and wrote that it "crackles with sweetness and freshness, combining a little Monty Python's Spamalot with some Les Misérables. It also found the cast "first-rate" and the overall story "quirky, yet heart filled".[41] The reviewer from USA Today also liked the production, commenting:

Osnes and a gifted supporting cast make this fairy tale very much their own – a scrumptious trifle that, for all its hokey moments, will charm theatergoers of all ages. Beane['s] Cinderella is not merely a kind maiden in distress, but a curious young woman becoming aware of injustices beyond her own shabby treatment. ... If the twist sounds a bit like a post-feminist contrivance, Beane keeps things sufficiently light and whimsical; the satire may verge on dopey at times, but it's never pretentious. And Brokaw elicits breezy, witty performances from his players, who could hardly be better suited to their roles. ... The visual effects are ... more dazzling than the score.[23]

Cast album

An original Broadway cast recording of the production was issued by Ghostlight Records in 2013. The album features arrangements of the score by David Chase and was conducted by Andy Einhorn. Orchestrations are by Danny Troob.[42]

Awards and nominations

The musical was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning only one for William Ivey Long's costume design.[43] It received five Drama Desk Award nominations,[44] winning three, for Outstanding Orchestrations, Costume Design and, for Osnes, Outstanding Actress in a Musical.[45] It was also nominated for two Drama League Awards but did not win either,[46] and for eight Outer Critics Circle Awards, winning one for costume design.[47]

Original Broadway production

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2013 Tony Award Best Revival of a Musical Nominated
Best Book of a Musical Douglas Carter Beane Nominated
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Santino Fontana Nominated
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Laura Osnes Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Victoria Clark Nominated
Best Costume Design William Ivey Long Won
Best Lighting Design Kenneth Posner Nominated
Best Sound Design Nevin Steinberg Nominated
Best Orchestrations Danny Troob Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Laura Osnes Won
Outstanding Choreography Josh Rhodes Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design William Ivey Long Won
Outstanding Orchestrations Danny Troob Won
Drama League Award Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Nominated
Distinguished Performance Award Laura Osnes Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Nominated
Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Douglas Carter Beane Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Santino Fontana Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Laura Osnes Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Victoria Clark Nominated
Outstanding Choreographer Josh Rhodes Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) William Ivey Long Won
Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) Kenneth Posner Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Shulman, Arthur; Youman, Roger (1966). "Chapter V – They Called Them Spectaculars". How Sweet It Was — Television: A Pictorial Commentary. New York: Bonanza Books, a division of Crown Publishers, Inc., by arrangement with Shorecrest, Inc.
  2. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Lost Cinderella Footage On View at NYC's Museum of TV & Radio", Playbill.com, June 20, 2002, accessed December 22, 2012
  3. ↑ Julie Andrews: Awards & Nominees, Emmys.com, accessed December 22, 2012
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Cinderella – History", R&H Theatricals, accessed June 10, 2013
  5. ↑ Flood, Penny. "Cinderella Provides Excellent Christmas Entertainment", Chiswickw4.com, December 3, 2011, accessed January 23, 2013
  6. ↑ "Richard Rodgers recreates a Cinderella to be remembered", San Mateo Times, February 19, 1966, "TV Week" section, p. 54.
  7. ↑ Cinderella, 1965 version, at the IMDB database, accessed February 8, 2010
  8. ↑ Davis, Peter G. (November 22, 2004). "Sweeps Week". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  9. ↑ Jones, Kenneth. "Being Stepmom Is Real Drag for Everett Quinton in 2000-2001 'Cinderella' Tour", Playbill.com, October 19, 2000, accessed December 16, 2011
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "It's Possible!": Cinderella, With Laura Osnes, Victoria Clark and Santino Fontana, Premieres on Broadway Jan. 25, playbill.com January 25, 2013
  11. ↑ A Cinderella Story Featurette: Hosted by Bernadette Peters (Available on the DVD)
  12. ↑ "Articles & Interviews, "It's Possible: 60 Million Viewers Go To The Ball With Cinderella", Volume 5, Issue 2, Winter, January 1, 1998". rnh.com, accessed February 15, 2011
  13. ↑ "Music Theatre graduate promoting Cinderella role". CQUniNews. CQ University Australia. July 3, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  14. ↑ (Japanese) Hello! Project official announcement.
  15. ↑ (Japanese) Koma Stadium official website.
  16. ↑ Hetrick, Adam. "Now Is the Time: 'Cinderella', Starring Laura Osnes, Opens on Broadway March 3", Playbill, March 3, 2013
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Brantley, Ben. "Gowns From the House of Sincere & Snark", The New York Times, March 3, 2013
  18. ↑ "Cinderella, Starring Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana, Sets Dates at the Broadway Theatre", Broadway.com, August 7, 2012
  19. ↑ Hetrick, Adam. "Broadway-Bound Cinderella Will Get Workshop With Victoria Clark, Harriet Harris, Ann Harada, Peter Bartlett", Playbill.com, June 28, 2012
  20. ↑ Portantiere, Michael. "Rodgers & Hammerstein Love Laura Osnes", BroadwayStars.com, March 26, 2012
  21. ↑ Geselowitz, Gabriela. "Full Broadway Cast Announced for 'Cinderella', Starring Laura Osnes", Broadway.com, November 21, 2012
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Jones, Chris. "Heavy themes make this Cinderella too slippery", Chicago Tribune, March 3, 2013
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Gardner, Elysa. "Cinderella casts a new spell on Broadway", USA Today, March 3, 2013
  24. ↑ "Review Roundup: 'Cinderella' Opens on Broadway - All the Reviews!", broadwayworld.com, March 3, 2013
  25. ↑ "Rebecca Luker to Replace Victoria Clark in Cinderella September 6 thru January 19", August 22, 2013, accessed September 10, 2013
  26. ↑ Gioia, Michael. "Carly Rae Jepsen and Fran Drescher Extend Runs in Cinderella", Playbill.com, March 13, 2014
  27. ↑ "Fran Drescher Extends Run in Cinderella Through 6/29", Broadwayworld.com, May 13, 2014
  28. ↑ O'Hanlon, Dom. "Paige Faure & Nancy Opel to join cast of Cinderella", New York Theatre Guide, May 22, 2014
  29. ↑ "Keke Palmer Will Make Broadway Debut in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella this Fall", August 4, 2014, accessed August 29, 2014; and "The View's Sherri Shepherd to Star as 'Madame' in Broadway's Cinderella This Fall!", August 5, 2014, accessed August 29, 2014
  30. ↑ "It's Possible! Judy Kaye Will Join Cinderella Cast as 'Fairy Godmother'", August 11, 2014, accessed August 29, 2014
  31. ↑ Soloski, Alexis. "Broadway crowns first black Cinderella – but progress on diversity is too slow", The Guardian, September 9, 2014
  32. ↑ "It's Possible! Lesley Ann Warren Returns to Her Cinderella Roots Onstage at the Broadway Theatre", Broadway World, September 26, 2014
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Ng Philiana. "NeNe Leakes to Make Broadway Debut in Cinderella", Hollywood Reporter, September 3, 2014
  34. ↑ "Cinderella National Tour to Launch 10/10 in Rhode Island; First Wave of Dates Announced!", Broadwayworld.com, April 28, 2014
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "CINDERELLA National Tour Recoups!", Broadway World, April 27, 2015
  36. ↑ "Additional casting has been announced for the national tour of Cinderella", Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, July 28, 2014
  37. ↑ "Fran Drescher to Reprise Role in CINDERELLA at the Ahmanson This Month", Broadway World, March 9, 2015
  38. ↑ Hathaway, Brad. "Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, CD release", DCTheatreScene.com, May 28, 2013, accessed February 14, 2015
  39. ↑ Lemon, Brendan. "Cinderella, Broadway Theatre, New York", Financial Times, March 3, 2013
  40. ↑ Zoglin, Richard. "Cinderella Then and Now: Revisiting Rodgers and Hammerstein", Time magazine, March 13, 2013
  41. ↑ Kennedy, Mark. "Review: Bway's 'Cinderella' filled with freshness", Associated Press, March 3, 2013
  42. ↑ Hetrick, Adam. "Cinderella Cast Album, With Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana, Released Digitally May 7", Playbill, May 7, 2013
  43. ↑ Purcell, Carey (2013-06-09). "Kinky Boots, Vanya and Sonia, Pippin and Virginia Woolf? Are Big Winners at 67th Annual Tony Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  44. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Nominations Announced for 58th Annual Drama Desk Awards; 'Giant' and 'Hands on a Hardbody' Lead the Pack", Playbill.com, April 29, 2013
  45. ↑ "Special Coverage: All the 2013 Drama Desk Award Winners – 'Matilda', 'Vanya and Sonia', 'Pippin', 'Virginia Woolf' and More!", BroadwayWorld.com, accessed May 22, 2013
  46. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 17, 2013). "'Kinky Boots', 'Pippin', 'Vanya and Sonia', 'Virginia 'Woolf? and More Win Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  47. ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 13, 2013). Is Big Winner of 2012-13 Outer Critics Circle Awards "Pippin Is Big Winner of 2012-13 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2013.

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