Cinderella: The Enhanted Edition Is For All Ages

By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland

VOS Theatre loves a chance to share some magic, and the stories don’t come more magical than Cinderella.

In this spring’s production, the local theatre group are showcasing the Rodgers & Hammerstein property as Cinderella: The Enchanted Edition.

Director Melanie Racine said it’s an old beloved story that has been done many times before, from a Broadway production starring Julie Andrews to a TV special starring Lesley Ann Warren. But the one the VOS version most resembles is a treatment from the ’90s, with Bernadette Peters as the Stepmother, Whoopi Goldberg as the Queen, Jason Alexander as the King, Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother and Brandy in the title role.

“It will have all the songs you love, but with a couple of tweaks and a couple of script changes – less talking, more singing,” Racine summed up.

VOS has pulled off some pretty magical effects before, and Cinderella is no exception. For one thing, wait until you see the mice turn into coachmen and how they work the carriage.

Two very talented local ladies contributed their own special talents.

Christine Benson of Journey Through the Arts has stepped up to make possible a first for the group – the first painted backdrop instead of a projected backdrop.

“This lady has created a very, very magical look for this wonderful world you are going to step into,” Racine said.

And Shannon Gardiner of Sewing Machine Magic has come through for what has turned out to be the first production since the COVID-19 pandemic where all the costumes are entirely brand-new.

“Every single costume was made by seamstresses in our community and designed by Shannon Gardiner, the most creative lady,” Racine stated.

“She has designed all the costumes in the show – the mice that transform into coachmen costumes, every ball gown that will be worn by the ensemble, and the Cinderella, and the stepsisters. She has designed every single one of them uniquely and it’s wild.”

And don’t forget to look for the patches on the king’s bloomers.

Running at two hours (including intermission), the show is very kid-friendly.

“You will definitely enjoy it as an adult – there’s so many jokes and so many lovely musical moments that to your adult ears say Rodgers and Hammerstein. It’s very romantic,” Racine said.

“But also, if you are a child and you love any Disney movies – it’s not Disney songs, it’s Rodgers and Hammerstein, but it’s a romantic story with magic and with stepsisters who are over-the-top-slapstick hilarious.”

Racine shared the one goal they have for the show – “when you leave Victoria Hall, that your cheeks will hurt because you’ve been smiling so hard and so long.”

As director, she has spent more than one evening with this particular cheek problem after rehearsals.

It’s a wonderful outing for the whole family – though she noted that tickets for matinee shows are selling out quickly so, if that’s your preference, act soon.

And fans of the TV show Bridgerton will love a live-music addition to the production, as a special intermission treat.

This season of Bridgerton features a Cinderella-type story, and their music can be described as pop music for strings, Racine said. And one of the backstage crew members, Music Director Matthew McCreadie, is string instructor for SONG (Sounds of the Next Generation), a program that gets young people making music of their own.

The cast includes a number of kids playing the mice, and they will become young princes and princesses in the intermission, dancing to the music of the SONG intermediate-strings group. You can expect to hear their renditions of Pink Pony Club (“on the violin – you can’t imagine it”) and Taylor Swift’s Enchanted To Meet You (which has been done before in Bridgerton).

And anyone inspired to waltz along with them is invited to get up and join the twirling.

The cast includes Jessica MacNeill as Cinderella, Roanna Kitchen as the Fairy Godmother, Colleen Lewis as the Stepmother, Lorol Avery and Monique Solei as the Stepsisters, Josh Lambert as Christopher, and Jennifer Stacey and Liam Cragg as the Queen and King.

The show runs April 24 through May 3 at the Victoria Hall Concert Hall. For ticket information, visit vostheatre.com