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CCT sets CINDERELLA to a new beat
Columbus Children’s Theatre opened August 5th with Cinderella: A Hip Hop Fairytale. True to its title, CCT’s Cinderella is a Hip Hop musical that has several elements of the classic fairytale but with many modern twists. Main character Annabelle (Meredith A. Zahn) is a 21st century 16-year-old Cinderella archetype. Though she has been blessed and destined by angels with a beautiful singing voice, Annabelle is forced by her evil aunt Priscilla (Maggie Pfeifer) to hide it. A young audience member’s overheard statement truly describes this matriarch’s demeanor: “She’s not nice!” Priscilla and her two daughters Vanessa and Skye (Lucy Porter and Carolyn LaLonde) play off of each other quite well as their characters relentlessly torment poor Annabelle, singing such songs as “Green Makes Us Blue” and “How to Be a Loser.”
Annabelle soon finds herself delighted to be surrounded by her four Guardian Angels, Eeney (Kristen Hosty), Meeny (Gabby Pedroza), Miney (Kyle Moore), and Mo (Jacob Briggs). Juxtaposed to the family’s constant malice, these four characters’ kind-heartedness set audience members smiling as they serenade Annabelle with a special “Happy Birthday Song” and “We Got Ya Back.” Though the angels worked well together, the pacing in their opening scene did drag slightly as the jokes, jabs, and puns were flying. Well worth the note, Moore’s hilarious antics as the goofy clown Miney send ripples of side splitting laughter throughout the theatre as Briggs’ adorably charming Mo is sure to touch hearts.
This production boasts a cast of 25+ actors, most of whom play multiple roles, all of which do a wonderful job of both dancing and singing. This reviewer notice a few supporting actors who, in their own way, stood out in their multiple roles. First are the darling Kate Coley and Gabrielle E. Marie Wilson who work well together as Record Label Representatives. Their timing and banter are met with several peals of laughter.
Later on, Coley, Lauren Mae Livingstone and Bailey Laws parody American Idol Judges Simon, Paula, and Randy (or, in this case, Brandy), adding their own touches to the recognizable characteristics of all three of the actual judges. Another actor who caught this reviewer’s eye was Briana Hunter. Hunter is a delightful young gal who shines in each of her roles, most of all as Nicky, one of the American Icon contestants, as she urges the audience to applaud her entrance and then sing along to her rendition of “ABC Song.”
Whether the actors are portraying are dancers, angels, or bears, all of the costumes are believable and suit the characters and situations. Both Patty Bennett and Angela Barch should be proud of their wonderful costuming.
As the production is set as a ¾ thrust, the set is minimal yet perfect for the production. One common yet unfortunate effect from such staging is most audience members may miss some of the action as they cannot properly see the actors’ faces or hear their lines. Such was the case within a few scenes during this show. Though all of the performers did well in their roles, they should always remember to keep their voices up and open up to the audience whenever possible.
Written by Matt Johnson and Directed by Angela Barch, CCT’s Cinderella: A Hip Hop Fairytale is an adorable musical this reviewer recommends for ages 3 to adults. Small children and infants may not be able to tolerate the 75+ minute duration of this production.
Cinderella: A Hip Hop Fairytale Runs August 5th- 16th. All seats are $10. Show times are 10 am Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 7:30 pm on Fridays, and 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For ticket information, visit colschildrenstheatre.org or call 614-224-6672.
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