Stage Review - Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Ovation)
Stage Review - Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Presented By: Ovation Performing Arts Northwest (Bainbridge High School Theater, Bainbridge Island, WA)
Date Reviewed: Thursday, November 30, 2023
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman
Cinderella isn’t one of those shows that one would necessarily associate with the Christmas season. Rather, theatre companies typically reserve their holiday spots for shows like Elf, White Christmas, A Christmas Carol, or any number of other shows that have a direct relationship to the season. All that said, this year marks the second holiday season in a row that a theatre is presenting Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Ovation Performing Arts Northwest’s production on stage at the Bainbridge High School theater opening tonight (December 1) and running through the tenth. So, there must be something about the show that makes it fit in a company’s holiday spot, right? Of course there is. Cinderella is sprinkled with hope and love, with just a little bit of magic thrown in for good measure, so it would follow that companies would want to put this particular show up during the season of miracles.
We’re all familiar with the tale, young Cinderella, having lost both of her parents, is stuck living with her stepmother and stepsisters, each of whom treat her more like a servant than a relative. Through a little wishing, some hard work, and with the assistance of a certain fairy godmother, Cinderella’s life circumstances turn on a dime. The Rodgers and Hammerstein version is a musical, and in true fashion tells the story with catchy and memorable songs, big costumes, and plenty of choreography. The Ovation version is directed by Scott Breitbarth and his production has all of that, and more.
Scott has assembled a wonderful cast here, led by Cinderella herself, Carin Young. Carin is an excellent choice for this lead role, holding herself with the beauty and confidence typically associated with Cinderella, the longing for something better apparent in her eyes and mannerisms. Add to her acting a voice that hits all the notes with the right level of emotion and Carin’s performance is the complete package. Carin is exquisite in “In My Own Little Corner” and works very well alongside her prince in “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful”. And speaking of Prince Christopher, Jay Houseworth-Barba is most definitely complementary to Carin’s Cinderella. We don’t see him much in Act 1, but when he does appear in Act 2, he does very well, better in his musical numbers, especially those with Carin, but a good Prince all around.
Carin and Jay are supported by Barbi-Jo Smith wonderfully reprising the role of the fairy godmother that she played so well in last year’s Port Gamble Theatre production of the show, Dan Englehard and Margaret Johnston as the Prince’s parents, King Maximillian and Quinn Constantina respectively, and of course her stepmother (Diane Hoeft) and stepsisters Joy (Kate Peppinger) and Grace (Giselle Vincent). Rounding out the primary cast is Brian Guy as the Prince’s royal steward and Lionel’s page, Ocean Henderson-Doerr. Each of these actors are stalwart vocalists and very well cast in these roles. Highlights among these featured and supporting actors include Barbi-Jo’s Fairy Godmother singing “Impossible” with Carin, and “Stepsister’s Lament” featuring stepsisters Grace and Joy. Kate and Giselle are very good as the stepsisters, and Diane’s stepmother is truly wicked.
Cinderella is a simple story, and sometimes simple stories are best told, well, simply. And that’s exactly what Scott has opted to do with this production, and it’s one fo the things I like about it. Rather than rolling out large and elaborate sets, Giselle Vincent’s set design relies more on set pieces moved on and off stage quickly to keep the flow moving, and more importantly leaves it to the actors to be the focus, and for my money that’s the right decision, as this cast is more than capable. Accentuated by a creative use of projection technology, the level of complexity of the storytelling just feels right. Scott has also opted for the use of a live orchestra as well, which is a risky choice sometimes at the community theatre level. Choosing live music can impact a show’s enjoyment when not done well, but this orchestra, under the direction of Chelsea Natseway, shows that selecting live over pre-recorded music is always the right choice when it can be done well. The group got off to a dicey start during Thursday’s preview performance, but when it found its footing, the music added a depth to the storytelling that wouldn’t have been achievable with the canned alternative.
An excellent cast, simple staging, beautiful costumes designed by Beth Anne Galloway, and Scott Breitbarth’s excellent direction and choreography, using every inch of the stage available to him, is a recipe for a successful show, and that’s what this is. There’s nothing overly complex about Cinderella’s transformation into her ball gown or that of her carriage and horses, but it’s done creatively and believably. The ballroom dancing scene in Act 2 is masterfully choreographed, with Joy and Grace navigating their way through to the prince time and again. It’s clear that each scene in this production has been well thought out, and this cast executes them all very well.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is not ordinarily associated with the Christmas season as much as some other shows, but the Ovation Performing Arts Northwest production, under the direction of Scott Breitbarth, is filled with enough magic to make it feel like the perfect fit. Featuring a stellar cast of actors and vocalists, Cinderella is the perfect show to take in to put you in the spirit of the season.
The Ovation Performing Arts Northwest production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella opens December 1 and runs onstage at the Bainbridge High School Theater through December 10. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.ovationmtb.com/.
Photo credit: Keith Brofsky
