Revisit: The National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella"
Some shows are just so elegant. "Beauty and the Beast", "The King and I", among many others. Another notable show that is simply elegant is "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella", which was given a new book by Douglas Carter-Beane in 2013. After a successful 2 year run on Broadway, the show went on tour and continues to play across the country to great acclaim. I caught the first national tour of the show back in 2015 (read my review here, I didn't quite know how to write yet) and I loved the show. I was so happy when it was announced that the second national tour of the show would be closing the 2016/17 touring season in El Paso because this show really is a treat. As it was when I last saw it, the show was gorgeous. There were some notable differences in the physical production from the first national tour, but the show is in wonderful shape and is still doing beautifully.
As I mentioned, but didn't touch on in my last review of the show, Rodgers and Hammerstein's score was given a new book by Douglas Carter-Beane. Beane's new book really expands on the dramatic arcs of all of the characters and gives the story which we have all heard a million times something fresh and new to it, which is important when presenting such a story. Beane really went about revising the story in a clever way to give it familiar ground, but also making it like something that we haven't really seen before by adding new plot elements and making each of the characters truly human.
Leading the cast was Tatyana Lubov, who was really quite lovely in the titular character. Lubov's portrayal of Cinderella was done to a tee and she truly did a very nice job maintaining her charisma and charm throughout the entire show. Even during the parts of the show where she wasn't the center of attention, I found myself with my eye on her in the background. It also helped that at times of the show, she bared a little bit of a resemblance to Laura Osnes, who originated the role in this version of the show. As the Prince Topher, Hayden Stanes was easily the strongest singer in the cast and gave a very memorable performance. Stanes is well suited for the role of Prince Topher and his duets with Lubov on songs like "Loneliness of Evening" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" were true highlights of the show.
Also standing out in the cast were Leslie Jackson (Marie, Ella's fairy Godmother) and Joanna Johnson (Charlotte, one of Ella's stepsisters). Every time either one of them were onstage they stole the scene with their lovely vocals or clever line readings. Everyone in the show was spot on. I also must give major props to Vincent B. Davis who made the most of his smaller role of the town's herald, Lord Pinkleton. If I am being honest, the singing wasn't all there. Stanes, Jackson, Johnson, and Davis' singing was great, but everyone else was just okay, vocally. Luckily, other aspects of the cast's performances made up for it and it didn't hinder the show.
The show was pretty much exactly the same from the last time I saw it, but of course most shows normally have to make adjustments when going from the first national to second national tour. One of the first things I noticed is that it looked a lot smaller and a lot more compact than the first national tour. I understand that they have to adjust the scenery and everything to accommodate the one night stays in cities, but it was noticeable to me and it did occasionally look cramped onstage, most notably during the ball. Set wise, I had issues with the ball. Not only did it looked cramped, but a little more scenery above the stage and in the background really would have benefited that entire sequence of the show.
Despite it looking cramped at times, the set still looked great, which is a testament to Anna Louizos' delightful set design. Kenneth Posner's lighting design also really stood out helped to give the show the woodland feel that the set exudes. William Ivey Long's costumes are still stunning, but this time around, something felt a little lost with the first dress transformation into the white ballgown. I am not sure if something went wrong, but I wasn't blown away with it like I was the last time I saw it. When the second dress transformation came around, that one felt perfect, so I am going to assume there was a minor mishap with the first one because it felt bumpy.
This production of "Cinderella" really is a lovely night out. The show is just so lavish, refined, and just magical. Of all of the shows that hit El Paso in 2016/17, I think I would have to say that this one has been my favorite. I hope that the opportunity to see this show does come around because I could see this show a lot. I truly do wish that the show was still running on Broadway but I am glad it is having a nice life on tour. Go see it if the tour comes near you!
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein II
New Book by Douglas Carter Beane
Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II
For more information, visit: http://www.cinderellaonbroadway.com/
The current cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" on tour consists of:
Ella- TATYANA LUBOV
Prince Topher- HAYDEN STANES
Marie- LESLIE JACKSON
Madame- SARAH PRIMMER
Jean-Michel- CHRIS WOODS
Gabrielle- MIMI ROBINSON
Charlotte- JOANNA JOHNSON
Sebastian- RYAN M. HUNT
Lord Pinkleton- VINCENT B. DAVIS
As I mentioned, but didn't touch on in my last review of the show, Rodgers and Hammerstein's score was given a new book by Douglas Carter-Beane. Beane's new book really expands on the dramatic arcs of all of the characters and gives the story which we have all heard a million times something fresh and new to it, which is important when presenting such a story. Beane really went about revising the story in a clever way to give it familiar ground, but also making it like something that we haven't really seen before by adding new plot elements and making each of the characters truly human.
Leading the cast was Tatyana Lubov, who was really quite lovely in the titular character. Lubov's portrayal of Cinderella was done to a tee and she truly did a very nice job maintaining her charisma and charm throughout the entire show. Even during the parts of the show where she wasn't the center of attention, I found myself with my eye on her in the background. It also helped that at times of the show, she bared a little bit of a resemblance to Laura Osnes, who originated the role in this version of the show. As the Prince Topher, Hayden Stanes was easily the strongest singer in the cast and gave a very memorable performance. Stanes is well suited for the role of Prince Topher and his duets with Lubov on songs like "Loneliness of Evening" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" were true highlights of the show.
 |
| Tatyana Lubov as Ella & David Wright and Arnie Rodriguez as the Footman and the Driver |
Also standing out in the cast were Leslie Jackson (Marie, Ella's fairy Godmother) and Joanna Johnson (Charlotte, one of Ella's stepsisters). Every time either one of them were onstage they stole the scene with their lovely vocals or clever line readings. Everyone in the show was spot on. I also must give major props to Vincent B. Davis who made the most of his smaller role of the town's herald, Lord Pinkleton. If I am being honest, the singing wasn't all there. Stanes, Jackson, Johnson, and Davis' singing was great, but everyone else was just okay, vocally. Luckily, other aspects of the cast's performances made up for it and it didn't hinder the show.
The show was pretty much exactly the same from the last time I saw it, but of course most shows normally have to make adjustments when going from the first national to second national tour. One of the first things I noticed is that it looked a lot smaller and a lot more compact than the first national tour. I understand that they have to adjust the scenery and everything to accommodate the one night stays in cities, but it was noticeable to me and it did occasionally look cramped onstage, most notably during the ball. Set wise, I had issues with the ball. Not only did it looked cramped, but a little more scenery above the stage and in the background really would have benefited that entire sequence of the show.
Despite it looking cramped at times, the set still looked great, which is a testament to Anna Louizos' delightful set design. Kenneth Posner's lighting design also really stood out helped to give the show the woodland feel that the set exudes. William Ivey Long's costumes are still stunning, but this time around, something felt a little lost with the first dress transformation into the white ballgown. I am not sure if something went wrong, but I wasn't blown away with it like I was the last time I saw it. When the second dress transformation came around, that one felt perfect, so I am going to assume there was a minor mishap with the first one because it felt bumpy.
This production of "Cinderella" really is a lovely night out. The show is just so lavish, refined, and just magical. Of all of the shows that hit El Paso in 2016/17, I think I would have to say that this one has been my favorite. I hope that the opportunity to see this show does come around because I could see this show a lot. I truly do wish that the show was still running on Broadway but I am glad it is having a nice life on tour. Go see it if the tour comes near you!
 |
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein II
New Book by Douglas Carter Beane
Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II
For more information, visit: http://www.cinderellaonbroadway.com/
The current cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" on tour consists of:
Ella- TATYANA LUBOV
Prince Topher- HAYDEN STANES
Marie- LESLIE JACKSON
Madame- SARAH PRIMMER
Jean-Michel- CHRIS WOODS
Gabrielle- MIMI ROBINSON
Charlotte- JOANNA JOHNSON
Sebastian- RYAN M. HUNT
Lord Pinkleton- VINCENT B. DAVIS
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