‘Cinderella’ at the Fox Theatre

This is not your mom’s “Cinderella” or even your grandma’s. It has humor but is not nearly as heartfelt as the TV version starring Lesley Ann Warren. This newer production, which hails from Broadway and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, presents a newer more kitschy version of the story. The kindness of Cinderella (Kaitlyn Davidson) extends to everyone in the land, including an older peasant woman known for being crazy. Prince Topher (Andy Huntington Jones) is a young man still trying to find his own power and way in life. There’s a kinder step-sister and one who is more raunchy than the TV versions of the show. The big, bouncy colorful costumes bring life to a story that I found to be boring but my friend found to be enjoyable. Adults around me were laughing at lines tand situations hat I thought to be trite and corny. The dances at the Prince’s ball were lovely, and the prince and Cinderella have charming voices. The lyrics of some of the original songs have been changed and other lesser-known songs by Rogers & Hammerstein have been added. The costume changes are somewhat miraculous as Cinderella changes from rags to a beautiful white ball gown in a second, the horses and carriage sparkle like jewels.

Directed by Mark Brokaw, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Douglas Carter Beane based partly on Hammerstein’s 1957 book, “Cinderella” runs through Nov. 8 at the Fox Theatre.

Cast

Marie . . . .  . . . . Liz McCartney

Madame . . . .  . . . .Blair Ross

Jean-Michel . . . .  . . . . David Andino

Gabrielle . . . .  . . . . Kimberly Faure

Charlotte . . . .  . . . . Aymee Garcia

Sebastian . . . .  . . . . Blake Hammond

Lord Pinkleton . . . .  . . . . Chauncey Packer

Raccoon, Ensemble . . . .  . . . . Chip Abbott

Ensemble . . . .  . . . . Adrian Baidoo

Ensemble . . . .  . . . . Summer Broyhill

Ensemble . . . .  . . . . Audrey Cardwell

Ensemble . . . .  . . . . Cody Davis

Ensemble . . . .  . . . . Rachel Fairbanks

Ensemble . . . .  . . . .Alexanddra Frohlinger

Swing . . . .  . . . .Jordana Grolnick

Swing . . . .  . . . .Laura Irion

Swing . . . .  . . . . Eric Anthony Johnson

Swing . . . .  . . . . Ben Lanham

Ensemble . . . .  . . . .Lauren Lukacek

Ensemble . . . .  . . . .Sean Seymour

Ensemble . . . .  . . . .Lauren Sprague

Ensemble . . . .  . . . .Paige Williams