Cinderella Review- Hopebox Theatre

 

Cinderella tells the familiar fairy tale of Ella, a young woman who is treated unfairly by her stepfamily but continues to show kindness despite her circumstances. With a little help from her Fairy Godmother, Ella gets the opportunity to attend the royal ball, where she meets Prince Topher. What follows is a story of magic, love, and the reminder that kindness can make a difference.

Direction:

Marinda Maxfield directed this production of Cinderella, bringing a classic fairy tale to the stage. One of the things I appreciate about this story is its message that kindness matters, even when the world around you isn’t treating you kindly. Ella’s compassion is at the heart of the story, and it is a lovely reminder that small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.

Music and Choreography:

Larisa Stewart served as the music director, and Dylan Watson served as choreographer and assistant director. The vocals throughout the production were clear, making the songs easy to enjoy and follow.

One thing I especially appreciated about the choreography was that it left room for the story to shine. The dancing supported the action onstage without taking attention away from the characters and their relationships. In a show like Cinderella, where the story and its magical moments are such an important part of the experience, that balance makes a difference.

Performances:

Jana Wilhite played Ella, our kindhearted Cinderella. She brought a sweetness to the role that fit the character beautifully. Ella’s kindness is one of the most important parts of this story, and Jana helped bring that quality to life. You could tell that this role was a dream roll for her. She truly was a princess on stage.

David Harris played Prince Topher. As the prince searches for his place in the world, his journey adds another layer to the familiar fairy tale. It was fun to see this classic character brought to the stage in this production.

Angie Alley-Andrus played Madame, Ella’s stepmother. I loved the sass she brought to the character! Madame is not exactly the warmest person in Ella’s life, and Angie gave her a strong presence.

Conner Ridenour played Sebastian. His strong accent and animated facial expressions added personality to the role. I especially noticed how expressive he was physically, which helped make his character entertaining to watch.

Chrissy Andreasen played Marie, and her sarcasm was hilarious! Marie brings a fun twist to the fairy godmother role, and Chrissy’s comedic delivery made her a memorable part of the production.

Laryn Welch played Gabrielle, and Haylie Benavidez played Charlotte. The stepsisters bring plenty of personality to Ella’s home life, helping create the obstacles that make her eventual transformation all the more satisfying. Both girls had wonderful facials that made them hilarious to watch.

Colin Schmidt played Jean-Michel, and I adored his awkwardness! His character adds another thread to the story beyond the familiar romance between Ella and the prince. I enjoyed seeing that personality come through onstage.

Design:

Ashley Collins-Dowse designed the set. The set helped create the feeling that the audience was stepping right into a fairy tale. Cinderella is such a familiar and beloved story, and the storybook design was a wonderful fit for it. It gave the production a sense of magic and helped bring the world of the story to life onstage. For me, this was the standout design element of the show.

Raquel Davis served as props designer and artisan. I enjoyed the animal puppets, which added another playful element to the production. Details like these help make a fairy tale feel alive and give the audience more to enjoy.

Shelbi Raynor designed the costumes. Costumes are an important part of telling a story like Cinderella, helping establish the characters and the fairy-tale world they inhabit. The costumes were another part of the overall stage picture that helped bring this production together. The three dresses that turned into other dresses were eye catching and pure magic on stage.

Wall of Hope Recipient:

One of the most meaningful parts of seeing a production at Hopebox Theatre is learning about the person being supported through its Wall of Hope program. Hopebox’s mission is to bring hope to families battling cancer through the performing arts.

For Cinderella, the Wall of Hope recipient was Alan Goodfellow. Alan was diagnosed with colon cancer after a colonoscopy revealed a tumor. Following surgery, cancer was found in his lymph nodes, and he began chemotherapy. His treatment journey included difficult symptoms and hospital stays. His final chemotherapy treatment took place on August 19, and his test results showed negative traces of cancer. Alan is now focused on recovering his energy and eventually returning to work as an electrician, a profession in which he has 25 years of experience.

Alan and his wife, Jen, have a blended family of five children. Their gratitude for the love and support they have received is a reminder of how much community can matter during a difficult season of life.

Hopebox Theatre uses the Wall of Hope to support families like Alan’s, with a portion of ticket sales going to the recipient and direct donations going entirely to them. It is a beautiful way to make theatre about more than what happens onstage. If you attend a Hopebox production, consider supporting the Wall of Hope as well.

Final Impressions:

Overall, I enjoyed seeing Cinderella brought to life at Hopebox Theatre. The storybook set was my favorite part of the production, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere that fit the show so well. I also enjoyed the humor brought by characters like Marie and Jean-Michel, the animated expressions and personality in the performances, and the clear vocals throughout the show.

Beyond the magic, romance, and comedy, Cinderella reminds us that kindness matters. Sometimes the smallest acts of compassion can change someone’s life, and that message feels especially fitting at a theatre whose mission is to bring hope to families battling cancer.

If you love classic fairy tales, musical theatre, and supporting a theatre with a meaningful mission, consider checking out a production at Hopebox Theatre. You may leave with a little more magic and a little more hope than you came in with.

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