Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tickets, photos, and production information were provided, but all thoughts are my own. Affiliate links used within post.
Chances are, you’ve seen Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella on TV. I loved the original 1957 Julie Andrews version growing up, and am still a huge fan of the 1997 remake starring Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother. But did you know that just a few years ago (2013) Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella debuted on Broadway in a brand new stage version? I had the great privilege of attending the opening night performance of Cinderella at the National Theatre in DC this past Wednesday night, and I fell in love with the music and the story and the characters all over again. Note: Cinderella is at the National Theatre for a limited engagement from November 18-29, 2015. There are still tickets available!
Andy Huntington Jones, Kaitlyn Davidson, and the Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tour company, making its Washington-area premiere at the National Theatre November 18 – 29, 2015. Photo © Carol Rosegg.
What I Thought of Cinderella:
I have seen several Broadway shows over the years, but I was particularly captivated by the performance of Cinderella this week. It was magical!
One of the things that stood out to me about Cinderella was that it was so family-friendly. I brought my 16-year-old daughter with me, and she commented before the performance that she loved that there were so many kids and teenagers there. There were several little girls sitting right behind us in the theater, and I loved hearing their comments every now and then throughout the night. One of my favorites was “Did that really happen? I don’t think that was real. I think I am just imagining that!” She was referring to Cinderella’s magical transformation from “country bumpkin” to beautiful princess. The three dress transformations (two for Cinderella and one for the Fairy Godmother) are truly spectacular (lots of oohs and ahhs from the audience). Even though I knew that the dresses would change on stage, I was still impressed when I saw it happen live.
Liz McCartney and Kaitlyn Davidson from the Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tour | Photo © Carol Rosegg
The cast was perfect…my favorites were Madame and Cinderella (with Prince Topher and the step sisters close behind). The script was flawlessly acted and the songs were beautifully sung. I thought that the humor was very nicely sprinkled throughout the performance and seemed very natural. And since there were so many children in attendance, it was very appreciated that the humor was family-friendly, too. There was a wonderful chemistry between the cast, too, which I loved.
(L to R) Blair Ross, Kaitlyn Davidson, Aymee Garcia and Kimberly Fauré from the Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tour | Photo © Carol Rosegg
About Cinderella’s Touring Cast:
Kaitlyn Davidson steps into the glass slippers in the title role of Cinderella, which she also understudied in the Broadway production. Davidson previously played the role of Gabrielle on tour. Andy Huntington Jones plays the role of Prince Topher, Cinderella’s dashing love interest. Jones was a member of the original Broadway company of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella where he understudied the role of Prince Topher.
The touring cast also features Liz McCartney (Annie, Phantom of the Opera) as Marie, the Fairy Godmother; Blair Ross (Side Show, Jekyll & Hyde) as Madame, Ella’s wicked stepmother; David Andino (50 Shades! The Musical) as Jean-Michele; Kimberly Fauré (R+H’s Cinderella, Bullets Over Broadway) as Gabrielle; Aymee Garcia (Shrek The Musical, Avenue Q) as Charlotte; Blake Hammond (Living on Love, First Date) as Sebastian; and Chauncey Packer (Porgy & Bess First National Tour) as Lord Pinkleton.
Kaitlyn Davidson from the Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tour | Photo © Carol Rosegg
One of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most popular titles, Cinderella was written for television — debuting in 1957 starring Julie Andrews. In 2013, the show made its long-overdue Broadway debut. Along with Cinderella, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s legendary musicals include OKLAHOMA!, Carousel, The King and I, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music.
The creative team includes scenic design by Tony® Award nominee Anna Louizos, costume design by six-time Tony® Award-winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony® Award-winner Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony® Award nominee Nevin Steinberg.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tour company | Photo © Carol Rosegg
The CINDERELLA tour is produced by Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman, Stephen Kocis, Edward Walson, Venetian Glass Productions, The Araca Group, Caiola Productions, Roy Furman, Peter May, Sanford Robertson, Eric Schmidt, James Spry and Blanket Fort Productions.
For more information, visit thenationaldc.com or CinderellaOnBroadway.com, where you can see if the tour is coming to a city near you!
Kaitlyn Davidson and Andy Huntington Jones from the Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tour | Photo © Carol Rosegg
About the National Theatre
Celebrating its 180th anniversary this year, the National Theatre opened in 1835 and is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the nation. Over the years, the National, located at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., has hosted a multitude of memorable events, including the pre-Broadway presentations of the musicals Show Boat; Hello, Dolly!; and West Side Story. Many of the world’s greatest performers have graced the National Theatre stage including Angela Lansbury, Robert Redford, George C. Scott, Will Rogers, Helen Hayes, James Earl Jones, Eartha Kitt, Sir Laurence Olivier, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Katherine Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Ian McKellen, Debbie Reynolds, and Audrey Hepburn.
Connect with Cinderella and the National Theatre:
facebook.com/NationalTheatreWashingtonDC
twitter.com/NatTheatreDC
Hashtag: #NTCinderella
I’m Giving Away 5 FREE Songs From Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella!
I love the music of Cinderella! While I was at the National Theatre, I was given several codes for 5 free song downloads and was encouraged to give them away. If you would like 5 free song downloads from Cinderella, simply let me know by commenting below and I was email you a code. First come, first served. I will update this post when all codes are claimed. You can preview the songs here (included in the free download are tracks 4, 7, 10, 13, 22).
Andy Huntington Jones and Kaitlyn Davidson from the Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella tour | Photo © Carol Rosegg
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I have never been to a Broadway show before but I sure would love to see this.
I would love the music! This is my favorite version of Cinderella.