Cinderella swordfighting! What a wonderful expression of empowerment for little girls (and little boys). In this updated and very funny version of Cinderella, Imagination Stage takes us to a musical fairytale land, with a heroine (the extraordinarily gifted Awa Sal Secka) who takes matters into her own hands instead of waiting to be rescued.
You already know the story, yet Alyn Cardarelli’s fresh adaptation twists the tale in often hilarious ways, with additions to both characters and the plot. The play opens with an enchanted weasel, Wesley (the excellent Michael Wood), the prince’s valet. He’s less worried about being enchanted and more worried that he’ll become an unemployed valet/weasel once the prince marries. The garden rat in Cinderella’s yard (the equally excellent Chris Stanson) becomes a reluctant human as well- and is at first horrified with his new opposable thumbs, until he realizes he can now hold an entire wheel of cheese.
Little touches like that permeate the show: Stepmother (Evan Casey) is portrayed as a towering stick in teetering heels, dressed in outlandish purple and as horrid enough to tickle any child and funny enough for the adults.
The two stepsisters (Angeleaza Anderson as Temperance and Amanda Leigh Corbett as Grace) aren’t really mean, just vapid and clueless and equally hilarious. Tracy Lynn Olivera gives Godmother a lovely, if scatterbrained presence- her plan to introduce Cinderella to her Prince (Jay Frisby) at first goes completely awry, yet all fare well in the end- even the stepsisters get married (when it’s learned to whom, it delighted everyone in the house to no end).
Cardarelli script is quite clever: weasel Wesley tells rat Ratford: “the Prince is trying the shoe on every maiden in the land to find his true love,” to which Ratford replies “And footwear is how humans do this?”. Director Kathryn Chase Bryer adds in plenty of slapstick and chases through the aisles, and of course at least one giggling small member of the audience is pulled onstage to try and fit the glass slipper.
Visually, the show is a veritable Wonderland, with a simply gorgeous blue, white and purple set by Scenic Designer Paige Hathaway, and an assuring abundance of crystal chandeliers. With its birch trees, pale lighting, and stalactites and icicle lights dripping from the ceiling, it’s reminiscent of something out of Frozen- even Cinderella’s cottage has a charming dacha-like design, with white fretwork and snow on the roof.
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Costumes by Iviana Stack, though, aren’t quite on a par with the fine set design- our poor Prince, handsome though he is, is dressed in an odd combination of cheesy gold biker jacket and Canadian Mounties striped pants. And though the Stepmother’s tall purple gown is a hoot and really helps define her character, the Stepsisters are dressed in pieces that look like they were pulled from another play entirely; one looks like a schoolgirl and the other a 1960s hostess at a cocktail party. Cinderella fares a bit better, and her change-to-ballgown trick dress works well, but frankly, it isn’t all that flattering on the actor- a real pity, as Awa Sal Secka’s performance is reason enough to see the show. She’s got comedic timing, a true presence on stage, and a memorable voice that just won’t quit.
Music by Steve Goers and lyrics by Alyn Cardarelli are another reason to see the show- full of snap and verve, songs such as “Shoes” are a delight for all.
A couple of notes for those attending the show: Suggest Velcro shoes and socks for any little ones who might want to try on the slipper. And for everyone – the theatre can be on the chilly side. Hopefully Imagination Stage will up the thermostat a few degrees but best bring sweaters in case.
And a sad note: Imagination Stage has closed its excellent toy shop in the lobby due to decreased sales.
I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite theater quotes: Paddy Blackwood, a puppeteer friend of mine, once famously said, “Build what you like— but call it Cinderella”.
Cinderella . Adaptation and Lyrics by Alyn Cardarelli; Music by Steve Goers; Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer . Cast: Awa Sal Secka as Cinderella; Tracy Lynn Olivera as Silverbird/Fairy Godmother; Evan Casey as Stepmother; Jay Frisby as Prince Jason; Chris Stinson as Rat/Ratford; Michael Wood as Wesley; Angeleaza Anderson as Temperence; Amanda Leigh Corbett as Grace . Music Director, Elisa Rosman; Choreographer, Pauline Grossman; Costumes, Iviana Stack; Scenic Design, Paige Hathaway; Lighting Design; William k D’Eugenio; Sound Design, Joseph Payne; Scenic Designer, Paige Hathaway; Fight Choreographer, Tuyet Thi Pham; Dance Captain, Angeleaza Anderson; Michael Wood, Fight Captain; Stage Manager, Kathryn Dooley . Presented by Imagination Stage . Reviewed by Jill Kyle-Keith.
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