Bringing back a classic

The Grand Theatre is hosting a modern musical twist on the classic fairytale Cinderella. The musical offers an exciting evening for both children and adults. The musical runs November 23 to December 31.

Cinderella is a story we all know. A prince holds a ball that Cinderella desperately wants to go to. When her evil stepmother and stepsisters do not let her go, Cinderella's Fairy Godmother comes to the rescue. The Fairy Godmother transforms the poor, young girl into a beautiful, charming 'princess.' A pumpkin and her mouse friends become a carriage led by horses. Cinderella is now fit for the ball, but the Godmother warns her to be back by midnight. At the ball, Cinderella catches the attention of the Prince, but she must leave before the clock strikes 12. With no name and only the glass slipper she left behind, the Prince starts his search across the land for the mystery girl who was at his ball.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's version of Cinderella holds true to the fairytale's key elements with a few added twists and turns, including a slightly more modern atmosphere. Every element of this musical helped to enhance the audience's experience. The acting, set design and costumes, music and singing kept the audience entertained and glued to every moment.

Both Alessia Lupiano and Kyle Golemba made their Grand Theatre debuts in the roles of Cinderella and Prince Christopher. The cast of young, skilled adults also found room to include Danie Dixon and Justin Eddy, both of whom are currently only grade seven students. The acting, while a bit on the hammy side on occasion, was clearly intended to entertain all age groups. Director Heather Davies obviously wanted this to be a performance for adults and teens as well as children.

The set design featured many detailed sets including the village's streets, Cinderella's home and the Prince's palace. The crew made good use of every set piece by using each piece multiple times. The transition between scenes was flawless and was rarely distracting. The cast's costumes reflected the classic version of Cinderella while keeping in theme with the modern performance. In particular, Cinderella's dress stole the breath of everyone in the audience.

If nothing else, the music and singing are the key selling point in Cinderella. Every actor contributed their voice to at least one song, which made for a colourful and full sound. The solos by Lupiano and Golemba were beautiful and made the evening unforgettable. Cinderella features songs including "The Prince is Giving a Ball," "In My Own Little Corner" and "Impossible."

Overall, Cinderella is a phenomenal show that will entertain, captivate and amuse audiences of all ages. While it was clear that parents and children made up most of the audience, this is a musical that teens and young adults can enjoy as well.

runs until December 31. For more information on ticket prices and show times, visit grandtheatre.com.