La Comedia’s ‘Cinderella’ reflects original story

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'Cinderella'

SPRINGBORO — La Comedia’s staging of “Cinderella” may not have a lot of “Bippity-Boppity-Boo,” but it does have its own little corner on the fairy tale.

That’s because the version playing in Springboro is not the one made famous by Disney, but is the version created by legendary Broadway composing team Rodgers and Hammerstein. It made its debut in a 1957 TV special starring Julie Andrews in the title role.

Other TV versions followed, the most recent being the 1997 broadcast with Brandy and Whitney Houston. The songs include “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” “sticks more to the (original) story,” said Chris Beiser, a local theater veteran who is directing the show. “This is more like the fairy tale book.” That means less fanciful things like the talking mice.

What stands out in this show “is the talent of the people,” he said. “They are very good, and the costumes are gorgeous. These are some of the prettiest costumes I’ve seen on any of the shows I’ve done.”

Of the cast, Beiser particularly praised La Comedia veteran Janet Brucken, who plays the wicked stepmother, and Emma Scott and Tina Himaya as the stepsisters. Graydon Long plays the prince, and Malia Henderson stars in the title role.

“She’s just beautiful. I look at her and I say ‘Cinderella,’ ” Beiser said.

Although “Cinderella” is not only for children, their perspective is very much in mind.

“The key thing is in a child’s eye,” Beiser said. “We’re keeping a childlike atmosphere, but it’s not geared toward kids. We’re doing a lot of neat things with the lighting to put a whole fairy tale-like fantasy quality on stage.”

La Comedia serves a buffet brunch or dinner, followed by the show, which runs through Aug. 29.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.