NOT BAD, CINDERELLA
These days Prince Charmings are not in style. Nor are Fairy Godmothers. So it’s pretty hard to expect adults to take stories like Cinderella very seriously. Nevertheless, the old fairytales seem to still hold a certain attraction, especially for musical theater. Thus we have Into the Woods, Once Upon a Mattress, and now Bad Cinderella which opened March 23.
Linedy Genao
Neither Cinderella nor the musical is bad. After all, Cinderella is just trying to live her life as an independent woman. And how can a musical with a score by master composer Andrew Lloyd Webber not have much to be appreciated?
Grace McLean
However, those looking for social commentary will be disappointed. Emerald Fennell’s book (with additional material by Alexis Scheer) and David Zippel’s lyrics are often lighthearted, sometimes sincere and more than occasionally ironic, but they are never serious or pithy.
Jordan Dobson
Bad Cinderella follows the basic plotline of the fairy tale. Cinderella (Linedy Genao) is abused by her Stepmother (the superb Carolee Carmello) with two daughters, Adele (Sami Gayle) and Marie (Morgan Higgins) both of whom are as vain and foolish as she. Prince Sebastian (Jordan Dobson) is looking for a bride. And Cinderella goes to the ball thanks to the timely intervention of her Godmother (Christina Acosta Robinson).
Bad Cinderella set
But there are a few changes. Prince Sebastian and Cinderella start off as best friends. The Queen (Grace McLean) is forcing Sebastian into marriage because his elder brother Prince Charming (Cameron Loyal) has disappeared and she believes someone needs to continue the royal line. Cinderella’s Stepmother and the Queen share a mysterious and sordid past. Bad Cinderella even has a twist at the end that some might see coming and others find a total surprise.
Carolee Carmello
There’s not a lot of dialogue in Bad Cinderella, but there are more than two dozen songs, including several reprises and a few big production numbers. Webber is adept with ballads, rock, rock ballads, waltzes, and rhumbas. When it comes to musical theater, there’s little he can’t do, and do well.
Linedy Genao and Jordan Dobson
Prince Sebastian’s “Only You, Lonely You” is a lovely ballad. Queen and Stepmother’s “I Know You” is clever and funny. “The Wedding Party” is a Latin-flavored celebration. There’s tremendous vocal power onstage at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre.
The Ensemble
Gabriela Tylesova’s baroque set and extravagant costumes might have come out of a lavish production of The Nutcracker. There are long gowns and short party skirts, doublets and tights, flamboyant hats and lots of bare, muscled chests.
Linedy Genao and the muscled men
Those who search for meaning and moment in musical theater will not find it here. Bad Cinderella is a piece of ironic fantasy designed for pure entertainment. After a long and successful career, Andrew Lloyd Webber is not looking to make waves. This is more like a day of fun at the shore.
Grace McLean and Carolee Carmello
photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Christina Acosta Robinson
Jordan Dobson
Bad Cinderella
Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45 Street
open run
run time: 2 hours 30 minutes, one intermission
for tickets visit Bad Cinderella on Broadway
Jordan Dobson and Grace McLean
The Ensemble
