Cappies Review: 'Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)' at Centreville High School

By Dylan Truncellito of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Turn the pages of this storybook complete with dancing mice, royal balls, and transforming pumpkins as Centreville High School presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)!"

A musical adaptation of the 1997 teleplay inspired by the classic fairy tale, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)" follows an orphaned girl forced to follow the orders of her stepmother and stepsisters. Her dreams for a greater life develop as she falls in love with the crown prince at a royal ball, but she leaves in a hurry, leaving a single glass slipper behind for the prince to find her once again.

Contrasting the standard portrayal of a gentle, modest fairy godmother, Sienna Ngyuen portrayed a sassy, larger-than-life extrovert. Her stage presence was undeniable, created by her strong voice and unstoppable energy. Motivating Cinderella and living exuberantly through her, Ngyuen commanded attention with her confident steps and grand gestures.

Lionel, the overworked steward of the royal family, was portrayed by Makena Nelson. Nelson's subtle glances and confident demeanor highlighted Lionel's witty comebacks and comedic moments as he worked to every whim of the royal family and rejected the romantic advances of Cinderella's stepmother.

Cinderella, portrayed by Madelyn Regan, was like a princess who stepped out of a classic children's storybook. Regan's animated steps and twirls brought the innocent dreamer to life as she fantasized about stories of romance and royalty. Regan performed the difficult solo "In My Own Little Corner" with grace, hitting high notes with a crisp vibrato while emotionally acting out her dreams of another life. Excited leaps and poses contrasted with her hesitant pauses, expressing her yearning for a perfect romance.

Designed by Laura Mineo and the Cinderella Costume Crew, the costumes brought attention to the characters and showcased their relationships. The shared color palettes of the stepsisters, portrayed by Kelley Simpkins and Antonella Foschi, established them as a cohesive duo even when apart. Their bright, over-the-top dresses and fur pieces contrasted Cinderella's simple color palette, emphasizing their drastically different demeanors. From the prim-and-proper royal ball to the bustling village market, lush ball gowns and modest village outfits made each setting its own. The fairy godmother's costume was whimsical and extravagant, sparkling and flowing as it emphasized Ngyuen's exuberant stage presence. A transforming dress created a magical moment as the fairy godmother transformed Cinderella from a simple villager into a stunning guest at the ball during an on-stage costume change.

Building up the fairy-tale setting, Katie Powderly and the Cinderella Set Crew used their space effectively to create distinct locations. Cinderella's home, cozy and modest with simple furniture and colors, contrasted with the royal palace, which was lavishly decorated with thrones and a shining suit of armor. These two spaces were on opposite sides of the stage, allowing for moments of yearning and separation between Madelyn Regan as Cinderella and Andre Jones as Prince Christopher to shine through in their duets. The set contained many transforming elements, creating quick scene changes and fantastical moments. The royal ballroom set turned into the royal garden, quickly following the romance between Cinderella and Prince Christopher without missing a beat. A moving pumpkin swirled around the stage, creating the iconic conversion into a golden carriage. Every fairy tale comes with a beginning and an end, and a giant storybook opened and closed to bookend the musical.

From stunning songs to fairy tale scenes, Centreville High School's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)" is a story to remember.