The production currently stars Keke Palmer ("Just Keke," "Trip to Bountiful," "Akeelah and the Bee," Joyful Noise") as Cinderella, with Tony winner Judy Kaye (Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Phantom of the Opera, Souvenir) as her fairy godmother, NeNe Leakes ("Glee," "The New Normal") as evil stepmother Madame and Joe Carroll as Prince Topher.
The cast also features Ann Harada as stepsister Charlotte, Stephanie Gibson as stepsister Gabrielle, Peter Bartlett as Sebastian, Prince Topher's mentor and Lord Chancellor, Todd Buonopane as the rebel Jean-Michel and Phumzile Sojola as Lord Pinkleton.
Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana originated the roles of Ella and Prince Topher, respectively. Directed by Mark Brokaw (The Lyons, Cry-Baby), the new production of Cinderella began Broadway previews Jan. 25, 2013, and officially opened March 3 at the Broadway Theatre. The classic has songs by lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II and composer Richard Rodgers.
Upon closing, Cinderella played 41 previews and 770 regular performances. A national tour continues.
Cinderella, which premiered as a 1957 television film starring Julie Andrews in the title role, was updated for contemporary audiences with a new book by five-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.
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 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. Orchestrations are by Danny Troob.
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.
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.
