Review: Cinderella at Starlight
From the moment my oldest could walk and talk, she fell in love with Cinderella. She spent much time in her toddler and preschool years dressed as her favorite princess and we read every children's version of the fairytale the library carried. Over the years, as a mother of four girls, I've read many blogs on princesses in general. Modern parents have an ongoing love/hate relationship with the fairytale heroines, but a recurring complaint I often read about Cinderella in particular is that she meets and falls in love with the Prince with neither knowing much (if anything) about the other. Additionally, many of the tales leave the characters a little flat, focusing more on the perilous plot line than the character of our heroine and very little, if any, on our hero. Modern updates to the classic, like last winter's live action film by Disney, and now the updated musical are addressing this well without taking from the story we all know and love.
TIP: Starting at 6pm every night before the show, enjoy the FREE Fairytale Festival! Free caricatures, face painting, a hair station, coloring stations, photo ops with princesses, inflatables and more!
That is what I enjoyed most about this updated production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella with the new book by Douglas Carter Beane. The musical includes all of our favorite songs, but adds depth to the story taking us on a surprise journey that uncovers new layers to Cinderella's tale. In the new play, Cinderella is especially kind (even when playing a game in which the goal is to make fun of others, she chooses to encourage them instead), honest, honorable and seeking justice for the poor, brave, and forgiving - what a fantastic role model for young girls! Likewise, the prince is kind, compassionate, just, and (while newly learning to rule his kingdom) good. Throw in an evil step mother, one evil stepsister, one surprising stepsister (I won't spoil the story for you), a villainous advisor to the prince, a lovesick humanitarian - the characters of good and evil are all there for a new and unexpected adventure.
As longtime fans of the fairytale, we enjoyed all of our favorite elements that held true to the classic story, and the surprises along the way that made it fresh and engaging. The story is full of humor (lots of laughs from the audience), wonderful music (a very talented singing cast), and an engaging story. In fact, there is a surprising cliffhanger at the end of the first act and everyone was talking during intermission trying to guess what would happen next!
Cinderella at Starlight is a musical delight for the entire family. The sets were gorgeous, as if popping straight off the pages of a storybook. I was excited to see real sets with great detail portraying Cinderella's home, the forest, and the castle grounds. The magical scenes were truly magical with amazing effects for dress transformations (kids all asking, "How did they do that?"), the magic of a flying Fairy Godmother, a beautiful coach and horses, and many oohs and aahhs throughout. The costumes were vibrant and beautiful. The music was beautifully performed and the choreography was great.
Paige Faure was perfectly cast as a kind-hearted and spunky Cinderella, Beth Glover was a delightful wicked stepmother, Aymee Garcia was great comedic relief as stepsister Charlotte, Kaitlyn Davidson was a funny and endearing stepsister Gabrielle, Kecia Lewis has a beautiful singing voice and did a wonderful job as the Fairy Godmother, Antoine Smith played the cunning villain well, and Andy Huntington Jones was your classic kind-hearted, handsome, heroic prince. The entire cast was outstanding.
Having seen the original Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella many times, I was excited to see this new version bringing new life to our beloved old tale. It was fun to see the story through new lenses and consider layers to the onion we'd never explored before. Beautifully portraying the classic fairytale we all know and love and adding depth for new audiences, this is a summer must see for Kansas City families!
Cinderella is playing at Starlight July 7 - 12. Buy tickets at http://kcstarlight.com/.
Tips for Starlight Theatre:
- Keep Hydrated and cool: You may bring 1 sealed bottle of water per guest into the theater. Complimentary water stations are located at the North and East Guest Relations. Water misters are placed throughout the theater for guest convenience. And, Starlight has drinking fountains throughout the theater. You may also want to bring a small handheld fan to keep cool.
- Tips BEFORE the Show: I have my girls (even older girls) nap in the afternoon prior to a Starlight show and I clear our calendar the following morning allowing them to sleep as late as possible (and possibly nap again the next day). The show does start at bedtime. We also pack pajamas in our van to change in the car so sleepy kiddos can be carried directly into bed after.
- Booster seats: A limited supply of complimentary booster seats is available at the Ovation gift store. Please drop your booster seat off at any gate, Guest relations table or return it to the Ovation gift store after the show.
- Preshow Tours: Arrive early and get a free, behind-the-scenes look at Starlight and learn about Starlight’s rich history in Kansas City. Tours begin before each performance at three convenient times: 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Patrons interested in touring Starlight Theatre should report to the top of the theatre behind Terrace Section 1 to begin their facility tours.
- Preshow Festival: Be sure to arrive early for the Fairytale Festival. All activities are free (face paint, caricatures by professional artists, storytelling, photo ops, inflatables and more). We arrived at 7pm and JUST made it in time for caricatures (they give out a limited number of tickets to ensure the artists complete all promised drawings before the show).
- Interpreted Performances: The Sunday evening performance of each Starlight Broadway musical is interpreted for the deaf/hard-of-hearing. Two interpreters are positioned on the stage, house right. Patrons can view the interpreters from sections 4 and 6 of the Orchestra and Plaza sections. Deaf/hard-of-hearing patrons may purchase tickets by calling Kansas Relay at 800.766.3777 or Missouri Relay at 800.735.2966. Additionally, the Saturday evening performance of each Starlight Broadway musical is interpreted via audio description for the visually impaired. Special seating is not required to utilize this service. Simply visit our Ovation gift store and leave your ID in exchange for one of the listening devices. Return the device after the performance, and a member of our friendly Customer Service team will return your ID.
- Assisted listening devices: Assisted listening devices are available free of charge for every performance. Visit the Ovation gift store and leave your driver's license in exchange for one of the listening devices. Following the performance, please return the device to the store and pick up your ID.
- Courtesy shuttles: This summer six-passenger shuttles patrol the main parking areas, providing assistance for those who most need it.
- Wheelchair assistance: Patrons needing special assistance may be dropped off near any of the roadside gates. Gate 4 (NW corner, closest to Terrace 6), Gate 6 (NE corner, closest to Terrace 7) or Gate 7 (SE corner) are all designated drop-off points. Starlight is also pleased to provide wheelchair assistance from the drop-off point to a seat location prior to the show, and back to the drop-off point after the show. Just let the staff at the gate know that you’d like to take advantage of this service. Due to the limited number of staff trained to negotiate the tricky terrain with a wheelchair, you may have to wait just a few minutes until they are able to accommodate you. (Please be patient!)
- Preshow Dining: A delicious dinner buffet is offered before the show. Learn more about preshow dining.