Review: CINDERELLA Dazzles Detroit Opera House
By: Anton Anderssen Feb. 19, 2016
By Dr. Anton Anderssen and Marco Airaghi
There's a new Cinderella in town, not the meek maiden who loses her glass slipper as she flees the Prince's castle; this gal has moxie, and she' accompanied by a rather outspoken Michael Moore character. Together, they set out to change the world. Now on stage at the Detroit Opera House is a reimagined Cinderella, with a new script by Douglas Carter Beane. Forget the Julie Andrews, Lesley Ann Warren or Brandy version we grew up with. This politically-charged version shows a Cinderella who definitely fights for social justice, and her Michael Mooresque comrade has no fear of the one percenters. Kaitlyn Davidson and Andy Huntington Jones star in this sumptuous musical; this is spectacle at its finest. Adding new characters to the mix allows others to evolve heuristically. The new and improved Cinderella resonates with modern sensibilities, adding to the time-honored splendor of both the damsel and those about her.
Be prepared to be wowed. The costumes are magical. Costumes actually transform in front of your eyes, and the fairy godmother flies like Mary Poppins, and the sets are fascinating. This production adds depth to the Cinderella character, and reveals a much nicer step sister than seen before. Prince Topher (short for Christopher) is an orphan who is bamboozled while a regent rules the kingdom until the former reaches majority. It is a new story, with the beloved music by Rodgers and Hammerstein remaining intact.
More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.
CINDERELLA plays at the Detroit Opera House through February 28. For tickets and information, kindly visit BroadwayInDetroit.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
ELLA (CINDERELLA) is a young lady with the kindest heart in the kingdom. She dreams of escaping her endless chores so she might one day see the world.
MADAME is Ella's stepmother, a vain and tyrannical woman only concerned with her wealth and her daughters' happiness. Madame does not consider Ella, her stepdaughter, a true daughter.
PRINCE TOPHER is the Prince of the entire kingdom, but he needs a bit of guidance and inspiration to realize his full potential.
SEBASTIAN is Topher's Lord Chancellor. Although Sebastian wants to protect the Prince, he does so by improperly shielding the Prince completely from what is going on in the kingdom.
LORD PINKLETON is Sebastian's second-in- command and the herald for all important events.
MARIE enters the story as a senile poor woman, but she magically transforms into her true form as Ella's wise and compassionate Fairy Godmother.
JEAN-MICHEL is a poor revolutionary with many ideas about how to improve society. Jean- Michel is in love with Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE begins the story as just another selfish stepsister but finds camaraderie in Ella when she reveals to Ella that she would give up her riches to be with Jean-Michel.
CHARLOTTE is Ella's other stepsister, who treats Ella cruelly but, quite honestly, doesn't know much better because she is so self-involved. Charlotte's a bit of a clown and definitely the last one in on the joke.
Cinderella at Detroit Opera House. Credit Carol Rosegg
Cinderella at Detroit Opera House. Credit Carol Rosegg
Cinderella at Detroit Opera House. Credit Carol Rosegg
Cinderella at Detroit Opera House. Credit Carol Rosegg
Cinderella at Detroit Opera House. Credit Carol Rosegg
Cinderella at Detroit Opera House. Credit Carol Rosegg
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