With stories such as Cinderella, which has been through many iterations and adaptations, it’s hard to revitalize something that has become so familiar and “vanilla” to the viewer. So what does one do when the story has become stale, and when the themes and messages have become a part of mainstream storytelling?  Scott Moberly, the director of this year’s musical decided to turn the conventional Cinderella story on it’s head, stating “The magic in Cinderella is the same magic that exists in all of us. When we feel rejected or beaten down, we merely need to look inside ourselves to find the strength and resolve to move forward”. This quote from the handout I received at the doors of the theater really encapsulates the true message of Cinderella. Through this stage adaptation, the viewer realizes that the story we once thought we knew isn’t as it seems – rather it is the opposite.

I had the pleasure of observing the opening night performance last Friday (March 6th), and I was moderately surprised by the musical’s divergence from the traditional Cinderella formula – I will chronicle these differences below:

Aesthetics: Perhaps the most noticeable of the plethora of contrasts within the show was the aesthetic theme that  the director chose. Rather than a Renaissance-esque setting that is imparted within the original Cinderella, an industrial “steam-punk” aesthetic theme permeates the musical. The male actors dress in either imperialistic military attire, or cockney street-sweeper suits. The women on the other hand can be seen donning trousers or corseted hoop skirts that have been modernized slightly to assist in the 1800’s feel of the play. These costume choices are most exemplified by characters such as the Stepsisters, and King Maximillian. The sisters, touting their plumed, peacock costumes, and Maximillian’s beige officer suit with red sash are two sets of outfits that embody the steampunk feel of the musical.

Aside from the outfits, architectural, interior design, and the overall atmospheric choices work together in perfect unity to bring together the colorful aesthetic ensemble of a post-industrial steampunk world.

Music/Singing: Perhaps the detail of utmost importance within a musical would be the musical scores themselves. While not as flashy as other previous performances found within shows such as Beauty and the Beast, and Legally Blonde, the vocal performances stand alone within Cinderella. Without relying on flashy musical numbers, more weight is placed on the individual talents of the performers themselves. In this area the musical excels, and the leads, Meghan O’Hara, and Jack Rogers, really gave their all and put on numerous fantastic vocal performances. As well as this, many of the songs maintain that classic Disney feeling, while still managing to branch out and become different in their own ways.

Overall, this was a great show, and though it didn’t possess the flashy elements of previous musicals, it contains a special amount of charm and entertainment unique to itself. I fully recommend this musical as one to watch.  With this in mind, the show garners a solid 8.5/10 from me.

Showtimes are:
Friday, March 13th @ 7:00pm

Saturday, March 14th @ 7:00pm