Kansas Citians will believe that dreams come true when the timeless fairy tale Cinderella brings its magic to Starlight Theatre on July 25-31. All seven shows start at 8 p.m. on Starlight's Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage.
Families are encouraged to arrive early for a pre-show event featuring a variety of fun, free activities. "Cinderella's Royal Celebration" begins at 6 p.m. nightly in Starlight's north pavilions and will feature activities including face painting, magic and puppet shows, inflatables, games and crafts.
It's interesting to note that Cinderella is the only musical the genius duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote specifically for television. The allure of working with 21-year-old Julie Andrews, who at the time was making her name in My Fair Lady on Broadway, drew the pair into the project in 1956. Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote the 90-minute production in six acts to fit the needs of TV's commercial breaks. Their beloved musical score features such favorites as "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"
When CBS aired the live broadcast of Cinderella on March 31, 1957, more than 24 million U.S. households - an estimated 100 million people - tuned in. It was later remade for TV in 1965 with Lesley Ann Warren making her debut and, again, in 1997 with Brandy in the title role.
"Starlight is thrilled to produce this show and to bring the magic and music of Cinderella to our stage. Not only will it be a special night for the little ones in our audience, but it will be a treasured trip down memory lane for their parents and grandparents who grew up watching the fairy tale come to life on their TV screens," said Denton Yockey, Starlight president and executive producer. "Starlight has long been a summer entertainment destination for families throughout metropolitan Kansas City and the Midwest region. This musical definitely continues that tradition in 2011."
Playing the title role of Cinderella in Starlight's stage production is Kara Lindsay. She returns to Starlight after performing here last season as Laura Ingalls in the national tour of Little House on the Prairie, The Musical. The versatile New York actress also starred as Sally Bowles earlier this year in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre's production of Cabaret. The show's handsome Prince is played by Claybourne Elder; the New York actor also has been seen at the Kansas City Rep playing the roles of Clifford Bradshaw in Cabaret and the Wolf/Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods. This fall Elder will start rehearsals for the Broadway premiere of Frank Wildhorn's Bonnie and Clyde in the role of Buck.
The production's remaining principal roles are played by Tina Johnson (Fairy Godmother), Paula Leggett Chase (Stepmother), Laura E. Taylor (Stepsister Joy), Shannon Connolly (Stepsister Portia) and Whit Reichert (King Max). Kansas City actors Seth Golay and Melinda MacDonald play the principal roles of the Herald and Queen Maisie, respectively.
The cast for Cinderella also includes a number of Kansas City professional actors in ensemble roles. They are Kevin Dean Albert (Chef), Lauren Braton, Christina Burton, Stephanie Cain, Charles Fugate (Minister), Sarah LaBarr, and Kip Niven (Steward).
Additionally, three dozen Kansas City youth have been cast in the children's chorus and teen Blue Star All-Star Chorus. They will appear in roles including children of the kingdom, palace attendants and ball guests.
Mark Madama directs the Starlight production of Cinderella. He has previously directed The Producers at Starlight in 2010. Linda Goodrich is the show's choreographer, and musical direction is provided by Anthony Edwards. Lighting design is by Sean Glass, and Veronika Vorel provides sound design.
