*Paige Faure, Fran Drescher, Andy Huntington Jones and Kecia Lewis are among the spirited, multi-talented and multi-cultural cast of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella now playing at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles through April 26.
From the creators of “South Pacific” and “The Sound of Music,” this Tony Award Winning musical and romantic classic has been revived by Douglass Carter Beane’s new book. The slight adjustments in the characters add a whimsical and socially conscious spin on the love story between the forlorn Cinderella and her handsome (yet insecure) prince. Of course it’s a familiar happily ever after ending, but director Mark Brokaw and choreographer Josh Rhodes have outdone themselves as the actors sing, dance, leap and lunge their way through one magical moment after another. As if the Rogers and Hammerstein fairy tale were not dazzling enough, it is made even more enchanting by every stitch and seam of William Ivey Long’s costumes and Anna Louizos’ fanciful scene designs that transform before your very eyes!
This musical wonder stars Paige Faure as the darling Ella, who desires to be the object of Prince Topher’s (Andy Huntington Jones) attention. Two time Tony Award winner and Golden Globe nominee Fran Drescher (of CBS’ The Nanny) brings on the salt, the style and the sass of the evil step-mother, and Kecia Lewis stuns the crowd as Marie, who morphs into the godmother that inspires Cinderella to take a leap of faith and realize everything that she has ever dared to dream.
EURweb spoke with Miss Lewis about her role in Cinderella and Douglass Carter Beane’s contemporary spin.
Kecia Lewis: “It’s a beautiful classic fairy tale, but this version has a bit of an updated story line where Cinderella is more socially conscious about what is going on in the world around her. The prince falls for her, not just because she got a makeover from the fairy godmother, but he falls for her because she exhibits three special qualities; charity, generosity & kindness, and those are the themes of the show.”
Kecia Lewis also told EURweb more about her vital role: “When I got the role, I knew that I had to do it. I knew that it was extremely important for our nation that audiences across America are able to see a woman of color portraying this role and it has been unbelievably fulfilling.”
Kecia Lewis has also appeared on Broadway in Leap of Faith, Chicago, Shrek, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dreamgirls, The Gospel at Colonus, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and more. As for the current version of Cinderella, Jay Alger, David Chase and Danny Troob are also to be commended on the music that scores this spectacular stage presentation from the overture to the curtain call. And of course The Center Theatre Group is always certain to host a five star event.
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” plays now through April 26, 2015, at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. For an exclusive family four pack use code: Midnight at Ahmanson Theatre.org (Offer ends March 27th 2015). For general tickets and other info go to: https://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/Cinderella/
This 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, as well as generous support from Olivia and Anthony Neece. The Ahmanson Theatre is located at 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
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