ENCHANTED, INDEED
Now playing at the Berkeley Playhouse, just in time for the holidays, it’s the classic story of Cinderella. This version began as the now-famous Rodgers & Hammerstein musical in 1957, with Julie Andrews playing the heroine in black and white. The ’65 version starred a young Lesley Anne Warren, Stuart Damon (General Hospital), and Celeste Holm. Shown in technicolor, it dazzled the audience and reran every year much the way the The Wizard of Oz did. Oh, and let’s not forget Douglas Carter Beane’s complicated and ineffectual Broadway update, starring Santino Fontana, that tinkered with both Cinderella TV scripts (1957 and 1965). In 1997, Brandy and Whitney Houston starred in a version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (also known as simply Cinderella) by Robert L. Freedman (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) that harkens back to Oscar Hammerstein’s original book, but was written specifically for a diverse cast. That script was adapted for the stage by Tom Briggs, and now it makes for one refreshing, fantastic production at the Playhouse.
Vinh G. Nguyen and Kennedy Joy Fullard
Kennedy Joy Fullard and Jennifer Marie Frazier
Director and Choreographer Khalia Davis brings her loving vision to this beloved story, utilizing a young cast of very talented actors and dancers. Kennedy Joy Fullard has the looks and the vocal chops to draw the audience into Cinderella’s grim lot in life, orphaned and suffering under the rule of her cruel Stepmother (a fabulous Erika Coyne). Her self-absorbed and spoiled Step Sisters, Grace (Jas Cook) and Joy (Sam Topacio) treat her as their personal handmaid.
Vinh G. Nguyen, Kyle Herrera, Nicole Stanley, and Stephen Kanaski
Kennedy Joy Fullard and the "Royal" youth ensemble Natalie Bart-Williams, Kade Davis,
Camden Greathouse, Basye Mummert, Giao Vu Murphy, Lia Camper, Mason Rotblat, Colette Goodman
While doing chores in the village, Cinderella has a chance encounter with a handsome stranger. Unbeknownst to all the villagers he’s the Prince of the land (Vinh G. Nguyen) and sparks fly between them. Everyone in the village becomes excited when Queen Constantini (Nicole Stanley) and King Maximillian (Kyle Herrera) announcing a Ball to help the Prince to find a suitor. Due to her Stepmother’s interference, Cinderella is excluded from the Ball but with the help of her radiant and transcendent Fairy Godmother (played in all her fabulous gory by Jennifer Marie Frazier) — and her mice and forest creature friends — Cinderella is magically transformed and gets to attend the ball and meet her prince.
Jas Cook, Sam Topacio, and Erika Coyne
The ensemble of young dancers are all quite adept in their roles as eligible maidens, villagers and fauna — both the dancing and the dance creations are joyous. No one in the cast misses a beat throughout the show, but Stephen Kanaski is clearly the “Best Supporting Actor” for his hilarious portrayal of the Prince’s fey steward Lionel. Whether he’s delivering a line or just reacting in the background, he’s the one all eyes are on whenever he’s on stage. Of course we’re all rooting for our happy ending for Cinderella and her fair Prince, it is Stepmother and her daughters who nearly steal the show in two particularly funny numbers, “Stepsister’s Lament” and a mocking version of “A Lovely Night.”
The company
Jennifer Marie Frazier and Kennedy Joy Fullard
Under Erika Obahe’s vocal direction, the ensemble also has the vocal chops to deliver on all the songs, which is not so easy given they’re singing over the talented orchestra: Conductor/Keyboard Jessica Igarashi; Keyboard 2: Kenji Harada & Kevin Dong; Trumpet Sonja Lindsey; Basses Danny Min, Victor Serada and Amanda Wu; Reeds Larry De La Cruz; Cello Federico Strand Ramirez; Violin Anju Goto; and Percussion Brietta Greger.
Jennifer Marie Frazier & the "Royal" youth ensemble with Natalie Bart-Williams, Kade Davis,
Camden Greathouse, Basye Mummert, Giao Vu Murphy, Lia Camper, Mason Rotblat, Colette Goodman
Sam Topacio, Jas Cook, Vinh G. Nguyen, Kennedy Joy Fullard, Erika Coyne and Stephen Kanaski
Seafus Chatmon’s colorful sets create an idyllic village as well as a majestic ballroom. A special shout out to Victoria Vitola’s fabulous Carriage design which will have you gasping in delight, driven as it is by the transformed mice as horses and footmen. Ashley Renee’s numerous costumes for the large cast, many of whom have several roles, were quite authentic and colorful. Cinderella’s ball gown and the Fairy Godmother’s ensemble outfit were perfect for fairytale princesses. Playing through December 22, this is the perfect holiday show for everybody.
Sam Topacio, Kennedy Joy Fullard, Jas Cook, and Erika Coyne
photos by Ben Krantz Studio
Cinderella Enchanted
Berkeley Playhouse
Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. in Berkeley
for Youth Cast dates, visit Youth Performances
ends on December 22, 2023
for tickets, call (510) 845-8542, ext. 351 or visit Berkeley Playhouse
