Review: 'Rodgers+Hammerstein’s Cinderella' by Black Rock Theater

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

It was “A Lovely Night” at the Westport Country Playhouse when Black Rock Theater took to the stage to bring to life “Cinderella.”

"Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella The Broadway Musical" has music by Rodgers, lyrics by Hammerstein II and a book by Hammerstein II and Douglas Carter Beane. Connor Deane, the founder of Black Rock Theater, directed the cast of talented young performers who had the chance to work beside solid Broadway talent after a four-year hiatus. Brenna Donahue, a teacher at BRT who recently co-directed “A Christmas Carol,” served as assistant director.

The Equity cast members take on the lead characters. Kaitlyn Davidson is lovely in the title role of Ella. Davidson lists this role under her Broadway and National Tour credits, so it was a treat to see her play this role in Westport.

Antonio Cipriano is a yes, charming Prince Topher. The actor originated the role of Phoenix in “Jagged Little Pill” on Broadway and we couldn’t help but love him in his first production with Black Rock Theater.

Cady Huffman is a great “Crazy” Marie, with plenty of comic timing and magical appearances.

Ta-Rea Campbell brings everything to the role of the evil stepmother Madame, snarky and openly dismissive of her stepdaughter. She is a dreadfully awful character, yet we love to watch. Campbell has been a professional actress and singer for over 20 years and was last seen portraying the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Philip Company of a little show called “Hamilton.”

William Ryall, a veteran of 16 Broadway shows, is the evil Sebastian with a great speaking voice and strong stage presence. The actor starred with Huffman in “Dirty Blonde” at the Coachella Valley Rep.

Equity member Tate McElhaney is adorable as the revolutionary Jean-Michel. McElhaney played the title role in “Sweeney Todd” on the Black Rock stage and recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati.

Black Rock Students cover the rest of the roles. Nino Ruggeri, a young performer with several regional credits, takes on the role of Lord Pinkleton in his Black Rock Theater debut. .

Audrey Lesko, a senior at Masuk High School, does really well with the role of the stepsister Gabrielle. Lesko played Liesl von Trapp in Black Rock’s “The Sound of Music.” Kari Ergmann is a senior at Greens Farms Academy who has been with Black Rock Theater since 2019. Ergmann, who also covered the role of Liesl, is a delight as the stepsister Charlotte. Both actors hold their own against the Broadway professionals, with Ergmann getting a chance to shine in my favorite, “Stepsister’s Lament.”

Sasha Spitz, who was Johanna in “Sweeney Todd” with this group, is a featured ensemble member and Ella understudy. Rose Messenger, who made her professional debut as Mrs. Lovett in BMA’s “Sweeney Todd,” is also a featured ensemble member. Other featured members include Jacqueline Mate, Radie Ford, Haley Holcomb, Gideon McManus, Ethan Pugh, and Chris Graham.

The scenic design by Ryan Howell is large and sets a charmingly fairy tale scene. Lighting by Weston Wetzel illuminates the scene well and there were only a few glitches to the sound design by Daniel Bria. Costumes by Christina Beam are lovely without taking the ball gowns to the unwieldy level, and do not include any onstage transformations. The glass slippers are indeed slippers and the Fairy Godmother sports sparkly sneakers. The coat of Crazy Marie is a work of art in its architecture. Props designed by Lisa Kuchta include amazing horseheads for the enchanted mice.

The glorious music of the score, much of it from the television version, is conducted by Music Director Garrett Taylor. Taylor served as resident music director and conductor for many summers at The Cape Playhouse. There is graceful choreography by Alex DeLeo, who performed in “Wicked,” with the youngest members of the ensemble stepping up for “The Prince is Giving a Ball” and other crowd scenes. The Lords and Ladies of the Court are played by the teen members of the chorus. Kudos to Michigan native Allison Sheski, a featured ensemble member, who served as dance captain.

Kudos to the young performers for their great work and the talented adults that worked with them to tell this classic fairy tale with some modern updates. Children over the age of 4 are encourage to attend.

“Cinderella” continues next weekend Thursday through Sunday. The creative partner of Black Rock Theater is the generous Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation. For tickets: blackrocktheater.org/c...

Next up on the Black Rock Theater stage will be "Rent" June 15-22.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.