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.
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