Vinicia Michelle Smothers, Lashanna Leonard, Erica Young Samantha West, Kendrick Brown, Roenia Thompson, Rachel Hemphill Dickson, Justin Cook, Johathan Kirkland, and Teacake Ferguson. Photo

From: BWW Reviews: Ensemble Theatre's Fresh Take on CINDERELLA is Magical and Spellbinding

I have to admit, it's hard for me to get exited about stage adaptations of the Cinderella story. Growing up, I had Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Julie Andrews crammed down my throat. The 1997 version starring Brandy promised to be a fresh and relevant take on the material, but I was not impressed. Now, the New York Theatre Scene is about to welcome Rogers and Hammerstein's version on Broadway. But, maybe they need to reexamine things because at Houston's Ensemble Theatre the African-American Shakespeare Company and Carlton Leake version of CINDERELLA is captivating, powerful, and beautiful! This well-liked and exhilarating piece of theatre is back by popular demand and being presented for its third time at Ensemble Theatre.