sitemap
FOLLOW SNITCHSEEKER:

Email Us!

Members

There are 1202 users online including...
Kayleetk , Pierrelub

3 members
1199 guests.

Members in Chat:



If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   SnitchSeeker.com > Forums > Daily Prophet (News) > SnitchSeeker Reviews > SnitchSeeker Product Reviews


SnitchSeeker Product Reviews You'll find all the latest non-Potter reviews here, ranging from films, DVDs, merchandise and more.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 11-30-2010, 05:46 AM
katiebell katiebell is offline
 
Default Review: Cinderella play

This past Sunday, November 21, I had the chance to watch the 7 p.m. performance of Cinderella at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

Below is a brief synopsis, courtesy of Lythgoe Family Productions.

Quote:
In the style of the outrageous British holiday Pantos, the Lythgoe Family brings this wild, wacky and interactive holiday event to the States. A Panto is a British institution - a modern musical play based on a fairytale story. The focal point of a Panto is how it brings together the family by way of entertainment. Whether you are young or old, a Panto is enjoyed by all members of the family. This U.S. Panto of Cinderella has a comical twist and incredible magic such as a pumpkin turning into a carriage with a real live pony before your very eyes!
Review:

One of the first characters we meet in this British-inspired Panto production of Cinderella is Buttons (Benny Harris) who has a dual role as Cinderella’s best friend and protector, as well as a liason to the audience. Buttons makes it clear from the get-go that audience participation is greatly encouraged, from shouting boos to the ugly stepsisters to singing along with the cast. It’s best to jump right in or you might find yourself looking at your watch before long.

There are several upbeat dance numbers in the show, choreographed by Mark Ballas, and performed by a dozen or so little girls and teens. Aside from being absolutely adorable, the youngest children are not only well trained dancers and lovely to watch, they’ve got good stage presence and not a one broke character. Kudos to the choreographer on keeping the reigns in on over half a dozen kids! The teen numbers ranged from ballet to hip hop. Keep your eye out for the talented Lindsay Arnold – a definite stand out.

Jennifer Leigh Warren, who plays the Fairy Godmother, is far and away the best singer on the stage, and really got into the spirit of Panto. A consumate performer, Warren was mesmerizing to watch, whether singing or speaking, and has an innate ability to connect with the audience. She had everyone shouting, “Bipidy, Bopidy, Boo!” on command throughout the evening. She also did a bang up job performing several magic tricks created by the play’s director of magic, Ed Alonzo.

A real treat for everyone in the theatre were Mark Edgar Stephens and Eddie Driscoll, who portray the ugly stepsisters, Seecrest and Cowel, respectively. They kept the audience in stitches as quintessential Panto performers are wont to do.

It’s no wonder judges chose Veronica Dunne to play the title role of Cinderella. Aside from her clear singing talent, Dunne did an outstanding job acting in this production and had the audience rooting for her from the start. She definitely belongs on a stage.

From his royal accent to his golden boy good looks, Freddie Stroma was perfectly cast as Prince Charming. Fresh from his performance in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Stroma is a natural on stage and mastered the deadpan whenever Potter references – from ‘Hogwarts forest’ to ‘half-blood prince’ – were tossed about. Stroma, who was a judge in the competition to find the actress who would ultimately play the lead role of Cinderella, sang three songs (sans accent), as well as various ensemble numbers scattered throughout the play. His first song in Act One, “Just Haven’t Met You Yet” was far and away his best performance of the lot. It was a duet with James May, who effortlessly played Dandini, the prince’s righthand man.

Rounding out the cast as Cinderella’s wishy-washy father, Baron Hardup, was Jerry Mathers of Leave It To Beaver fame. Mathers, who has a long list of TV, film and stage credits, graciously accepted myriad Beaver references, including the TV show's theme music every time his character appeared onstage.

s with all good Panto-style productions, comedy is key. As such, there should have been more of an element of bawdiness running alongside the kiddie jokes. It’s a shame May didn’t get more stage time - I would like to have seen his role expanded. Perhaps if his character had a secret crush on the Prince, but ultimately ended up with Buttons, whose storyline sort of petered out a bit in the end, it would help invigorate adult interest and, ultimately, adult ticket sales. As it is, Cinderella, which is beautifully staged and replete with pony, is more a show for children.

Cinderella is playing now through Sunday, December 19, at the El Portal Theatre. Click here for tickets or more information.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 09:40 AM.


This Harry Potter and Wizarding World fan website and community is not endorsed by Hogwarts, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Quidditch, Deathly Hallows, Sorcerer's Stone, Wizards, Muggles, No-Maj, MACUSA, Newt Scamander, Video Games, Half-Blood Prince, Orders of the Phoenix, Goblet of Fire, Philosopher's Stones, Chamber of Secret, Pottermore, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Eddie Redmayne, Cursed Child, or any other official Harry Potter source.

All content is copyright ©2002 - 2022, SnitchSeeker.com unless stated otherwise. Privacy Policy

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.3.2 © 2009, Crawlability, Inc.
Site designed by Richard Harris Design

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252