A Lovely Night
Tonight, shellyinseattle treated me to a ticket to Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" at the 5th Avenue Theater. I loved this musical as a child, watching the television production starring Leslie Ann Warren every year, so when Shelly offered it as a holiday gift, I was delighted to accept. It was also to be her 5-year-old daughter's very first theater experience (and little Miss H wore a very pretty pink princess dress for the evening), so it was an extra special evening.
This production had an updated book and, taking a page from the 1997 television version (which starred Brandy), the music included a couple of songs from other Richard Rogers musicals (which explained why I didn't remember a song or two in the production). All this made the show fresh and vibrant, and provided me with a new take on something I've loved my whole life. The production itself was sumptuous--sets, costumes, and special effects all quite fine, with some of the quickest costume changes I've ever seen. And of course, the 5th Avenue itself is such a beautiful, historic venue (where, among other things, "Hairspray" premiered) that it was bound to be, as the musical says, a lovely night.
Shelly and her daughter knew someone in the cast, and I was delighted to discover that I knew someone in the cast, too, a fellow I used to work with long ago at Expedia. Particular standouts in the show were the actresses who played the step-sisters--hammy, funny, and wonderful fun--but everyone in the cast was strong, and it all allowed me to just immerse myself in the music and the pageantry. It was really quite magical.
Of course, the old cynic in me kept popping up its little head toward the end of the play offering editorial comment on "happily ever after." I stuck a rag in its mouth and shoved in it a closet. It's not coming out until morning.
I had a wonderful time, as did Shelly and Miss H, and I could not have enjoyed myself more.
This production had an updated book and, taking a page from the 1997 television version (which starred Brandy), the music included a couple of songs from other Richard Rogers musicals (which explained why I didn't remember a song or two in the production). All this made the show fresh and vibrant, and provided me with a new take on something I've loved my whole life. The production itself was sumptuous--sets, costumes, and special effects all quite fine, with some of the quickest costume changes I've ever seen. And of course, the 5th Avenue itself is such a beautiful, historic venue (where, among other things, "Hairspray" premiered) that it was bound to be, as the musical says, a lovely night.
Shelly and her daughter knew someone in the cast, and I was delighted to discover that I knew someone in the cast, too, a fellow I used to work with long ago at Expedia. Particular standouts in the show were the actresses who played the step-sisters--hammy, funny, and wonderful fun--but everyone in the cast was strong, and it all allowed me to just immerse myself in the music and the pageantry. It was really quite magical.
Of course, the old cynic in me kept popping up its little head toward the end of the play offering editorial comment on "happily ever after." I stuck a rag in its mouth and shoved in it a closet. It's not coming out until morning.
I had a wonderful time, as did Shelly and Miss H, and I could not have enjoyed myself more.