Final Weeks in Melbourne for Cinderella

Bianca Bruce (Charlotte) and ensemble in CINDERELLA (c) Jeff Busby

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on 23 July

The Tony® Award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella waltzes out of Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on 23 July. There are only three weeks left in Melbourne to catch this fresh new take on one of the most beautiful and beloved tales of all time before it heads to the Lyric Theatre QPAC, Brisbane from 5 August and the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 23 October.

Audiences and critics have been unanimous in their praise for this lavish production, produced by Opera Australia and John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia.

“Miraculous … Theatrically and musically, the shoe definitely fits. Don’t miss it!” – The Australian

“Lavish and lovely … No expense has been spared to make this as glittering a spectacular as it could possibly be.” – The Age

“A constant visual delight” – Limelight

“A feast for the eyes” – Stage Whispers

Leading the cast is Shubshri Kandiah as Ella (Cinderella), Ainsley Melham as Prince Topher, Silvie Paladino as Marie, the Fairy Godmother, and Tina Bursill as Madame, Ella’s stepmother. Todd McKenney plays the Lord Chancellor Sebastian until 17 July, when Nicholas Hammond takes over as Sebastian.

Matilda Moran and Bianca Bruce play Ella’s stepsisters Gabrielle and Charlotte, while Daniel Belle is Lord Pinkleton, the second-in-command in the Royal household, and Josh Gardiner is Jean-Michel, the poor revolutionary who is in love with Gabrielle. Completing the cast are William Brougham, Danielle Evrat, Luke Haberecht, Dominique Hamilton, Matthew Jenson, Lauren Jimmieson, Leah Lim, Kassie Martin, Rubin Matters, Nathan Pavey, Joshua Russell, Greta Sherriff, Lewis Shilvock, Suzanne Steele, Tom Struik, Daniel Szesiong Todd, Alexis van Maanen, Dean Vince, Daniel Wijngaarden, Erica Wild and Emily Wood.

Producers Lyndon Terracini and John Frost are delighted at audience reactions to this wonderful production. “We are thrilled that capacity audiences are loving this glorious and uplifting Broadway favourite,” they said. “Cinderella is one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s greatest scores and this production, with beautiful orchestrations, magnificent costumes and sets, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love from the classic story, is enchanting everyone who sees it.”

With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella combines the story’s classic elements – the glass slippers, pumpkin, a beautiful masked ball and more – along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. A spirited young woman with savvy and soul, she not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realise his dreams too.

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most popular titles, Cinderella was written for television, debuting in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance. More than 100 million viewers saw the broadcast, more people than any other program in the history of television at the time. Cinderella was re-made for television in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren in the title role, Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon as the King and Queen, and Celeste Holm as the Fairy Godmother. A further television remake followed in 1997 with Brandy as Cinderella, Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother, Bernadette Peters as the Stepmother, Whoopi Goldberg as the Queen and Jason Alexander as Lionel.

The stage version of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella made its long-awaited Broadway debut in January 2013, featuring a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and direction by Mark Brokaw, and it ran for two years. Mr Beane’s book blends masterfully with the musical’s cherished score, with songs including In My Own Little Corner, Impossible/It’s Possible, Ten Minutes Ago and Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a romantic and exciting experience for anyone who’s ever had a dream.