'Cinderella' at Hershey Theatre is a Delightful Treat for the Whole Family

While the weather outside may be frightful, the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella at Hershey Theatre is absolutely delightful. With a talented cast, timeless music, graceful dancing, magical transformations, and even a sword fight with a woodland creature, Cinderella is a treat for the whole family.

This updated version of the classic fairytale tells the familiar story of Cinderella with a few twists and surprises. The show brings the characters we all know and love to life on stage with beautiful costumes, fairytale romance, and a hint of humor, all while subtly conveying the message of never giving up on your dream.

Kaitlyn Davidson and Andy Huntington Jones lead the top-notch cast as Ella and Prince Topher. Davidson's sweet innocence and Disney voice make her a perfect fit for the title role, and Jones is equally fitting in his role with his boyish good looks and a charming voice fit for a prince. The rest of the cast steps up to match their talent, with Blair Ross portraying the convincingly wicked Madame, the evil stepmother; Rachel Fairbanks and Aymee Garcia playing the stepsisters Gabrielle and Charlotte; David Andino as the lovable Jean-Michel; and Liz McCartney as Marie, the magical fairy godmother.

My 8-year-old son was quick to point out that there were lots of girls in the audience wearing princess dresses. But don't let the show's fancy gowns and dazzling glass slippers fool you... Kids of any gender will enjoy this light-hearted and fun production. (If you're looking for proof, when I asked my son what he thought of the show, he enthusiastically said it was "Really good!" That's about the highest compliment a show can get from an 8-year-old!) Grown-ups will appreciate the enchanting show as well, taking in a good old-fashioned musical filled with heartwarming show tunes, positive messages, and little bits of unexpected humor.

I was fortunate to be able to attend the Kids' Night on Broadway performance, where my son had the opportunity to participate in a variety of themed activities for children. Kids' Night on Broadway is a year-round national audience-development program of The Broadway League, the national trade association of the Broadway industry, created to introduce kids and young adults to the magical world of theatrical entertainment. While my son is already very familiar with the theatre world, he loved participating in the activities, which ranged from coloring to word searches to games. He especially enjoyed the Hershey bar prizes and posing with a few of the Hershey characters who made a special appearance.

While the Kids' Night on Broadway performance was only for one night, there are still a few more chances to see the show before it leaves town! Cinderella is at Hershey Theatre through Sunday, January 31, and tickets are available at the Hershey Theatre box office, by phone at 717-534-3405, and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

Theatre Kim's January Picks

If you made a New Years resolution to see more live theatre in 2016, Central PA theatres are making it easy to get your resolution-keeping off to a good start! From Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at the Hershey Theatre to Arthur Miller's All My Sons at Oyster Mill Playhouse, January offers something theatrical for everyone in Central PA.

Here are my top picks in Central PA theatre this month:

1) The Laramie Project (Theatre Harrisburg)
January 8-17

This will be my first time seeing this show, but I'm really looking forward to it. I have high hopes for this to be a powerful piece of theatre that is very relevant and eye-opening. From the Theatre Harrisburg website, here's a description of the show:

In October 1998, a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. His bloody, bruised, and battered body was not discovered until the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half, in the aftermath of the beating and during the trial of the two young men accused of killing Shepard. They conducted more than 200 interviews with the people of the town. Some people interviewed were directly connected to the case, while others were citizens of Laramie, and the breadth of the reactions to the crime is fascinating. Kaufman and Tectonic Theater members have constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience from these interviews and their own experiences in Laramie. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable.

2) Court Street Cabaret (Open Stage of Harrisburg)

January 15 & 16
This is an annual favorite of mine. Stuart Landon and a handful of guests put on a great show that's always filled with good times, good tunes, and good talent. It's usually a combination of Broadway favorites and surprisingly good tunes from lesser known shows. Open Stage's intimate black box theatre is the perfect setting for this casual cabaret.

3) [title of show] (Carlisle Theatre Company)
January 22-24

No, that's not a typo. Yes, [title of show] is actually the title of this show. This musical hasn't been done in our area very often, but it's a special treat for musical theatre fans, so I was super excited when I found out that it was being done locally. It's a musical about two guys writing a musical about writing a musical. The concept sounds almost too simple, but it works. Theatre fans will enjoy an abundance of industry references and inside humor, and those not very familiar with the musical theatre industry can still enjoy the catchy modern music and humor in this show.

4) Beyond the Footlights Cabaret (Hershey Theatre)
January 23
This is, hands down, my favorite theatre event of the entire year every year. This cabaret is a benefit for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards, a program that recognizes local high school theatre talent. The night starts with wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction, which always includes some amazing items for theatre lovers. Then comes a delicious meal that is served ON THE STAGE of the theatre. Trust me... Dining on the stage of this beautiful theatre is just as amazing as it sounds! Following dinner, past Apollo Award nominees and recipients take the stage to perform a selection of show tunes. I've been an evaluator for the Apollo Awards since its inception in 2008, and every year I'm completely blown away by the truly outstanding talent that comes out of our local high schools! There are typically two ticket options for this event: the full experience ticket and a dessert/show only ticket.

So whether you're trying to keep a New Years resolution or simply want to catch a good performance, January is a great month for theatre in Central PA. Make sure to check out this complete listing of upcoming theatre events in the area this month.