Directed by Mark Brokaw (The Lyons, Cry-Baby), the new production of Cinderella began Broadway previews Jan. 25. The musical has songs by lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II and composer Richard Rodgers.
Cinderella, which premiered as a 1957 television film starring Julie Andrews in the title role, has been updated for contemporary audiences with a new book by four-time Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane (The Nance, Sister Act, Xanadu, Lysistrata Jones, The Little Dog Laughed).
His treatment recharts the journey of the classic tale in a new way. Retaining all classic elements of the fairytale, Beane and the creative team offer audiences a fresh take that gives the female heroine a stronger point of view. Playbill also sat down with Beane for a drink at Sardi's to discuss Cinderella and his upcoming projects. Click here to read more.
"I think it has his trademark wit," Brokaw said of Beane's work in a recent interview with Playbill.com. "It has his trademark intelligence. But I think it's different, because I don't think he's ever tackled material exactly like this before. I think he has very smartly reinvented the fairy tale — and, at the same time, with absolute respect for the story. I think he upends our expectations for the story, and keeps us on our toes. And he upends our expectations for the characters, as well."
Read more of Brokaw's Playbill Brief Encounter here. The new production incorporates rarely-heard songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalogue, including "Loved and Learned," "Now Is the Time," "Me, Who Am I?" and "The Music in You." Also featured are standards from the original television version, including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"
Audiences will also hear the Rodgers and Hammerstein score anew thanks to David Chase (How to Succeed, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Flower Drum Song), who has re-arranged the material since it was first heard nearly 60 years ago. Chase also serves as musical adapter and supervisor on the production.
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| photo by Carol Rosegg |
Tony Award nominee Osnes (Bonnie & Clyde, South Pacific) and Fontana (Billy Elliot, Importance of Being Earnest) star as Cinderella and the Prince, respectively.
The cast also boasts Tony Award winner Harriet Harris (Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Cinderella's Stepmother, Madame; Tony winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza, Sister Act) as the Fairy Godmother, Marie; Peter Bartlett (A Free Man of Color, The Frogs) as Sebastian, the Prime Minister; Ann Harada (Avenue Q, "Smash") as stepsister Charlotte; Marla Mindelle (Sister Act) as stepsister Gabrielle; and Greg Hildreth (Peter and the Starcatcher) as the rebel Jean-Michel.
Completing the cast are Phumzile Sojola (Porgy and Bess, Three Mo' Tenors) as Lord Pinkleton, as well as Jill Abramovitz, Kristine Bendul, Heidi Giberson, Stephanie Gibson, Shonica Gooden, Kendal Hartse, Robert Hartwell, Laura Irion, Andy Jones, Andy Mills, Linda Mugleston, Peter Nelson, Nick Spangler, Cody Williams, Branch Woodman, Kevin Worley, Drew Franklin, Adam Jepsen, Alessa Neeck and Kirstin Tucker.
It is produced by Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman, Stephen Kocis, Edward Walson, Venetian Glass Productions, The Araca Group, Roy Furman, Luigi Caiola & Rose Caiola, Walt Grossman, Peter May/Sanford Robertson, Glass Slipper Productions/Eric Schmidt, Ted Liebowitz/James Spry, Blanket Fort Productions and is produced in association with Center Theatre Group. Charles Salameno is associate producer.
Cinderella has choreography by Josh Rhodes. Andy Einhorn is music director and conductor. Scenic design is by Anna Louizos, costume design is by William Ivey Long, lighting design is by Ken Posner and sound design is by Nevin Steinberg.
For tickets visit telecharge.com.
Visit CinderellaOnBroadway.com.
Here's a look at Cinderella in rehearsal:
