Cinderella reviewRaleigh Little Theatre Review RLT's “Cinderella” Turns 26 In Grand Style Raleigh Little Theatre's gala 26th annual presentation of CINDERELLA, which features music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy and a book and lyrics by Eiler, based on the familiar French fairy tale by Charles Perrault (1628-1703), is a fabulous Fractured Fairy Tale, with splendid storybook sets by scenic designers Rick Young and Bill Rodgers and imaginative, colorful, and wonderfully elaborate 18th century outfits created by costume designers Vicki Olson and John Franklin, who add a lot of razzle-dazzle to the proceedings. Once again, RLT artistic director Haskell Fitz-Simons, choreographer Missy Dapper, and musical director Julie Florin combine their considerable talents to bring this old warhorse to a gallop. This year's topical allusions may be a little weak, but the rest of the production is highly satisfying. Sara Abernethy as Cinderella and Gregory Wait as Prince Charming not only make a handsome pair, but make beautiful music together -- or separately. Lisa Kinlaw is splendid Cinderella's as zany Fairy Godmother, and Carly Jones is a hoot as Cinderella's evil Stepmama. Dennis Poole and Tim Cherry -- in drag -- ham it up hilariously as Cinderella's hideously ugly stepsisters Gertrude and Henrietta. Warren Keyes is a delight as that hopelessly nearsighted dirty old man King Darling III; and Jordan T. Clifton as Sugar and especially Jason A. Cooper are amusing as Fairy Godmother's Helpers Sugar and Spice. Although often overshadowed by its foremost seasonal competitor, Theatre in the Park's madcap musical version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, starring Triangle theater legend Ira David Wood III, CINDERELLA has much to offer Triangle children of all ages. Performed without intermission and clocking in at about an hour and 45 minutes, CINDERELLA is a refreshing change-of-pace. Try it; you'll like it. Raleigh Little Theatre presents CINDERELLA at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 19, and 1 p.m. Dec. 20 in A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27601. TICKETS: $17 balcony and $27 orchestra (all ages). BOX OFFICE: 919/821-3111 or http://www.etix.com/. NOTE: All shows are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices are available for all shows. SHOW: http://raleighlittletheatre.org/performances/09-10/cinderella26.html. PRESENTER: http://raleighlittletheatre.org/. VENUE: http://www.progressenergycenter.com/. PARKING: http://www.progressenergycenter.com/. OTHER LINKS: Cinderella (from D. L. Ashliman's folktexts, a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology): http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510a.html. WHAT: The TRIANGLE THEATER REVIEW is a FREE weekly e-mail theatrical newsletter, featuring previews and reviews by Robert W. McDowell and reviews by Alan R. Hall and others. (For brief bios of our critics, see the CVNC biographies page.) Classical Voice of North Carolina, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and this state's leading performing-arts platform, not only pays our reviewers but also makes continued publication of TTR possible. The online versions of our critics' theater reviews are now listed on the CVNC Reviews page. CVNC also publishes a comprehensive list of Triangle Theatre Openings and an extensive list of Theater and Film Links. DONATIONS: If you value the comprehensive, in-depth local theater coverage that TTR and CVNC provide, please mail a check today to Classical Voice of North Carolina, 3305 Ruffin Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-4025; or use your credit card to donate online via PayPal. Because CVNC is a 501(c)(3) organization, all financial contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Be sure to indicate that you want to support continued online publication of the TRIANGLE THEATER REVIEW. You may also donate to CVNC through the Triangle Community Foundation, based in Research Triangle Park. You can find current information about CVNC at Philanthropy Central, an online service operated by the Triangle Community Foundation. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: E-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type SUBSCRIBE TTR in the Subject: line. TO UNSUBSCRIBE: E-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type UNSUBSCRIBE TTR in the Subject: line. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? E-mail RobertM748@aol.com. COPYRIGHT: Editorial content and all formats © 2010 CVNC and the respective authors. Reproduction in any form without authorization of Classical Voice of North Carolina and the respective authors is prohibited. CVNC will maintain an archive of standard previews and reviews from past issues for at least a year. To request copies of web articles from 2005 and earlier, e-mail cvnc1@earthlink.net. You are here: Home > Reviews and articles about the theatre's productions > Cinderella review |