By Marilyn Jozwik
Many beloved fairy tales are viewed through the clever, imaginative lens of Walt Disney, et al. Who doesn’t remember the fairy godmother whirling her magic wand turning mice to horses, a pumpkin to a carriage and the ill-clad cinder girl in rags to a beauty in the finest ball gown? It’s a lot of bibbidi-bobbidi-boo.
Waukesha Civic Theater isn’t able to perform those cinematic tricks in its season opener, but it does provide some pretty nifty stage magic. The show is directed by Mark E. Schuster.
In this updated Rodgers and Hammerstein version, with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane, Cinderella (Courtney Denzer), called Ella in this version, not only wants to go to the ball to see the handsome, marriage-seeking Prince Topher (D. Eric Woolweber), but to discuss with him the plight of the poor. She had met him previously, by accident, on the road, not knowing who he and had been impressed when she learned he was royalty, saying: “That man? A world leader? But he appears to have a heart, mind, and soul; it can’t be.”
The story takes a few other unfamiliar turns from previous versions, including a revolutionary Jean-Michel (Kevin J. Gadzalinski), who wants to help the poor. The prince has been duped by his mentor, the prime minister Sebastian (Bill Kirsch), into putting oppressive laws affecting the less fortunate into action.
Ella (Courtney Denzer) and the Fairy Godmother (Alexa Farrell) share a son in a scene from Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “Cinderella.”
Ella also has an ally in her stepsister Gabriella (Kyla Halquist), who grows fond of Jean-Michel and his fight for justice, much to the dismay of her mother (Beth Kaye Burrows for the Sept. 10 show), who had hoped for a higher place in society for her daughter.
The theme of social justice drifts through the show, giving characters more dimension and purpose, but not without plenty of humor and wit and, of course, lovely R&H tunes. And there is magic, as clever costume designs and lighting turn the plain Ella, as well as her fairy godmother (Alexa Farrell), into beautiful creatures. Yet, there is also magic in the incredible performance of Farrell as Marie, the dotty old woman who turns out to be Cinderella’s fairy godmother. As Marie says, “Actually, I’m everyone’s fairy godmother, but you’re the only one who has given me charity, generosity and kindness.”
Ella (Courtney Denzer), second from left, and her step-family, from left, Gabrielle (Kala Halquist), Madame Clare Malinowski and Charlotte (Abby Rasmussen) sing about their night at the ball in “A Lovely Night” in a scene from Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “Cinderella.”
Farrell fills the stage with hilarious mumblings and grumblings as the bent, old, ragged Marie and turns gloriously into the fairy godmother with total command of the role with an elegant bearing, broad gestures and a magnificent voice that rises and reaches to the farthest seats in the theater. She deadpans perfectly when asked about her elegant attire: “You’d be surprised at how many beautiful gowns have crazy women in them.” Just an incredible, scene-stealing performance.
Denzer follows up a marvelous turn as Sophie in WCT’S “Mamma Mia!” with the starring role in “Cinderella.” And she brings the same likeable sincerity, crystal clear vocals and engagement to her Ella role as well, plus adding lots of spunk and a can-do attitude. In the charming “In My Own Little Corner,” she sweeps effortlessly over the stage, imagining herself traveling to all sorts of exotic countries. She segues into a delightful “Fol-De-Rol” and “Impossible,” frolicking with Marie as she describes the transformations in the offing.
Woolweber as Topher (short for Christopher) is suitably regal, yet far from arrogant, in his earnest portrayal of the sometimes clueless prince who Ella helps to school on how to lead his people. He and Denzer blend nicely in perhaps the most memorable R&H tunes, “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” Their characters grow as they realize their ideas on charity and community service fit as well as her glass slippers.
Lord Pinkleton (Keith R. Smith) makes a pronouncement for Prince Topher in a scene from Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “Cinderella.” Also pictured are ensemble members, from left, Thomas Hess, Lily Krehbiel, Sheila Gimenez, and Ryan Vanselow.
Another marvelous performance is Abby Rassmussen’s Charlotte, the rude, judgmental stepsister who hilariously whines her way through her perceived slights, especially in the crowd-pleasing “Stepsister’s Lament.”
A special shout-out has to go to the costume crew, who not only outfitted the cast in colorful, stunning gowns and ball attire in several scenes, but effectively transformed Cinderella and Marie into sparkling visions of loveliness with a whirl or two from the characters. Another delightful touch is the cute puppet animals that turn into a driver, footman and horses in Cinderella’s carriage scene.
While solo numbers were quite strong and pleasant, the orchestra and ensemble sometimes came up a little thin on some of the tunes.
Nonetheless, this is a most entertaining and enjoyable time at the theater!
If you go:
Who: Waukesha Civic Theater
What: “Cinderella”
When: Through Sept. 25
Info/Tickets: 262-547-0708; www.waukeshacivictheatre.org