just saw the rehearsal footage & got chills hearing the songs. I think this has the potential to be a really special show. it's pretty amazing to see how far Laura Osnes has come from winning a reality TV show, she's really wonderful.
It's just such a neutered interpretation of the fairy tale, I can't get past it. Didn't know Harriet Harris was in this though, will definitely see it for her.
See, I have the opposite issue, I find her far too obviously beautiful to play Cinderella. It's like when they put nerd glasses on Rachel Leigh Cook in "She's All That" and try to sell you the idea that she's nerdy and dirty and covered in paint and then, oh my god, take them off and she's a knockout! I don't buy Osnes as the Cinder girl of the fairy tale. She's simply too beautiful, and beautiful in the most Disney Princess way.
"You saw it? How is it neutered?"
Have you ever read the original Grimm's story? Or even some of the earlier interpretations, I quite like Perrault's, actually, as well. The Rodgers & Hammerstein version, as well as the Disney one, omit some of the most fascinating details, plot elements, and characters from it. It's disappointing for anyone who actually is a fan of the fairy tale. Into the Woods borrows more heavily from the original text than this does, and even Into the Woods is not without it's faults.
Though I WILL confess to being a complete nerd and loving dearly the inaccurate, impossible, and deeply cheesy movie version "Ever After", which to me would make a far more fascinating musical than this.
You do understand that is just one Western interpretation of a story that precedes it by thousands of years? The story is the same in most of the tales, and that story is aptly called "the Cinderella story". Google Rhodopis.
Now about this production, it sounds neat for a tour or a reigional thing but Broadway? Without a star? Seriously?
I don't understand most of the comments here. It seems like y'all have seen the show, and I know that's not possible since it hasn't even opened yet. Can't we at least hold our judgment until the show starts previews?
And doesn't Perrault's Cendrillon predate a definitive written version of Aschenputtel by almost 200 years?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Givesmevoice, you are correct. I didn't mean to imply that the Grimm's fable was chronologically the first incarnation of the Cinderella story, though I can see I worded that very poorly in my original post! Perrault's version is actually 17th Century, whereas the Grimm version was in 1812, so yes, you are absolutely correct on that. Basile's Cenerentola actually predates the Perrault. Though, honestly, you can trace the tale all the way back to Rhodopis. I was merely referencing the source text that is most commonly used and adapted today.
I am WELL aware that it is not intended to be a retelling of the fable, I am just stating my opinion that I do not really love the popular mythical version of Cinderella that gets re-adapted and retold in a thousand different mediums. That's all. The show has never been my cup of tea. But as I said, with this cast, I will certainly give it a chance.
"Can't we at least hold our judgment until the show starts previews?"
I'm not judge the quality or the content of the show (except the costumes). I am judging the business decision here. It boggles my mind producers would take such a huge risk and in the doldrums of winter.
Maybe Prince Christopher doesn't always have to be hunky? In fact, of all the Cinderella movies out there, the prince always seems sort of average in my opinion. To be honest, William and Harry are average looking to be, but everyone else thinks they are hot, so beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
Isn't Cinderella supposed to be extremely beautiful, which is one of the reasons why her stepfamily despises her? I think Laura looks fine in my opinion. Although, I do like that in Ever After, one of Cinderella's (Danielle, actually) stepsister looks better than she does.
"The Rodgers & Hammerstein version, as well as the Disney one, omit some of the most fascinating details, plot elements, and characters from it. It's disappointing for anyone who actually is a fan of the fairy tale."
The original version is by Perrault. The Grimm story came after, but you've already mentioned that. This new R&H version is strictly based on Perrault's telling. Aside from Into the Woods, all the other famous retelling of Cinderella follow the Perrault version.
I'm excited for this. From what I've read and behind the scenes videos I have watched, it seems to be a combination of the original R&H version, the Perrault version, Ever After, and Ella Enchanted. It should be fun!
Although I'm excited for this, I'm much more excited for the Ever After musical. I've heard three songs from it, and they are amazing! Hope it arrives next season!
poor laura, if shes too pretty for cinderella, it seems her future on broadway is bleak as shes probably too pretty for just about any role. this is just a ridiculous argument when we have all black casts of non black characters etc.