RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA

This is yet another quality production from 5 Star Theatricals!

For background, I’m a total Cinderella girl, so I’ve been learning to enjoy every version of this classic tale. I’ve even recently watched the cartoon version from the ’50s and the 2015 Cate Blanchett live-action adaptation of that animated one.

But I’m a purist at heart, so it’s still a tad hard for me to accept this decade-old take on the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. I had seen this “re-imagined” version elsewhere seven years ago, so I was a bit prepared this time, but as socially-conscious as I am, I still like my fairy tales to remain just that—fairy tales. And not turn into an episode of 60 Minutes in Act II.

That being said, the musicals from 5 Star Theatricals at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center are always top-notch, and Cinderella is no exception. They’re so good, in fact, that several of my pals, including Mr. X(!), don’t mind the semi-long drive to Thousand Oaks to see their offerings! And neither should anyone else—everyone in a couple of hours range should always see their productions.

As to this one, Cinderella still stars Cinderella and the Prince, the wicked stepmother and a duo of stepsisters, and the fairy godmother, and it retains much of the story of the original. And most happily, it still features the fabulous songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, (which I was totally singing along with, but no worries–only in my head, to save the people around me from the torture of my voice,) while adding about a handful of others from the catalogue of that prolific duo, which audiences may be interested to hear.

In addition to the wonderful and well-done musical numbers, the few quick costume changes are a joy to behold. My friend Marc went nuts for them!  They did the transformation from housemaid uniform to ball gown perfectly. (I’ll tell you a personal story about this topic at the end of this review, right after all the pertinent info.)

Actually, Marc said something was “clever” at just about every turn! He really appreciated this presentation.

The entire cast is excellent, but, of course, I have a few faves. Chief among them is Landen Starkman as Lord Pinkleton. I don’t really know what that exact role is, but he’s the big guy in a red coat, who can sing, dance, and be charmingly amusing.

Two of the dancers, Aaron Camitses and teen-age Luke Pryor, also performed awe-inspiring flips throughout, (mainly as the Raccoon and Fox,) so don’t look away from the stage for even one second at any point! And then there is adorable tween dancer Joshua Tanenbaum, whose sister told me at the party that all he wants to do in life is dance! I’m glad he feels that way because he does it so well. He brought a smile to my face throughout the presentation, especially during the curtain call. I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing all these gents in other 5 Star Theatricals shows for years to come. At least I hope so!

In the female category, the best voice belonged to Regina A. Fernandez as the Fairy Godmother, (who is named simply “Marie” in this version.) And the quartet of female voices on A Lovely Night, (Emily King Brown, Kelsie Kiana Piini, Sarah Hinrichsen, and Camryn Hamm, who plays Cinderella and, from where we were sitting, looks a bit like Zendaya,) blended together perfectly! That number is a highlight for me.

And I absolutely adore that the entire orchestra is credited in the programs—they even have their own page! That’s great to see. (Speaking of the program, I have never seen an actor look more like himself in his headshot than Frankie Zabilka, who plays the social crusader, Jean-Michel. That’s a commendable rarity in the biz.)

Cheryl Baxter’s choreography is great. Especially with such a huge cast. I’ve actually known Cheryl slightly for a few years now, but only as the co-producer of the World Choreography Awards which I attend. And she could not be nicer to me every single time. So to finally see her beautiful work here, which is as pleasant as her personality, made my heart sing.

Also beautiful were the colorful ball costumes. And I was so proud of myself to see that I had on the same color shawl as Cinderella does when she’s on her way to the ball! Great minds…

So, I have no quarrels with this particular production, (other than perhaps that there is a lot of overacting, but the nature of the scenario pretty much warrants it.) I’m just not a fan of the 2013 changes to the original Oscar Hammerstein script. So if you’re used to the old TV ones, whether it be from 1957 with Julie Andrews, (which I’m desperate to see, so if anyone knows where to find it, please let me know in the Comments section below,) the classic 1965-1975 Lesley Ann Warren one, (which is what I base all my Cinderellas on,) or the 1997 Brandy-Whitney Houston one, (which I was way too busy clubbing to watch,) just be aware that this one has many changes from those, so don’t think something’s wrong with your memory. The new storyline about injustice in the kingdom bogs the show down a bit, the King or Queen are already deceased, (which would have made the Prince really be the King now,) there’s an evil advisor to the Prince, they don’t get to the important glass slipper bit for quite a while, and I’m just not into one of the stepsisters being nice, (although I wish someone would rewrite my sister to be a good one.) If I hadn’t already seen these updates those few years ago, I would have been left scratching my head.

All in all, though, I highly recommend that all Southern California musical theatre lovers see this Cinderella this week-end, before it closes. Just go with the flow, acknowledge that it’s a newer, more modern, different take on the story, and enjoy the music, pageantry, and talent. And remember that this will be the very first Cinderella for some little girls in the audience at the Kavli, (many of whom come adorably dressed-up for the show, which I had to hold my own self back from doing on Opening Night!,) and perhaps view it through their eyes a bit. You will definitely have A Lovely Night. (Or afternoon.)

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella running through July 23, 2023
Bank of America Performing Arts Center–Kavli Theatre
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks
805-449-2787  www.5startheatricals.com

Now here’s the personal story I promised earlier: I sort-of hate the word “transformation” because of a bad experience I had on TV with creepy Joy Behar back in the day. At the time, she was a rotating host of a late-night talk show, and I was a guest. She saw me in the make-up chair with just a beige base all over my face, my hair straight up to get it off my face for make-up, and baggy street clothing. So when I danced onstage in a magnificent hip outfit, with great hair and make-up, looking just like myself on my TV show back then, instead of just greeting me, as any other host would have done, she loudly and nastily declared to the studio and television audience, “What a transformation!!!,” in her horrible New York accent! I was mortified. And then she proceeded to tell everyone how bad I had looked backstage. The audience even gasped at her rudeness, and the talent coordinator came to my dressing room to apologize afterwards! So that experience is, sadly, what I think of whenever I see someone else’s transformation, or hear, or even write that word.