PMT's Cinderella

Last night, I saw Cinderella.  I knew that RH was the Fairy Godmother, and that she and RG were in this show due to their apprenticeship program at PMT.  I figured that the talent level would be really high, and I expected a show that would be above and beyond what one would expect from a high school production.  

I honestly have to say that it was a good show.  RH was fabulous (even calling out to AF in her opening improv), and by far one of the best on stage.  The stepsisters were hilarious, and played their character very well.  The actress playing Cinderella I can honestly say wasn't that interesting, but it's hard.  The script doesn't make Cinderella a very interesting part.  Overall, one could tell that there was a lot of talent onstage.

My biggest complaints were in two fields: the script and the directing.  

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is not a great show.  There are several moments where there were clear attempts at jokes that just weren't funny.  The characters are not well-developed at all, and, as I just said, the part of the lead is not very interesting at all.  There are good songs, but the lead-ins are almost cheesy, and they don't flow very well with the script.

On top of that, the directing wasn't great, specifically the choreography.  There are huge dance scenes in the ballroom, and they were simply boring.  The choreography would repeat the same exact series of steps numerous times over, and the dancing wasn't that challenging to begin with.  The dancers nailed it perfectly, but I feel that they could have been pushed a little more.  On top of that, the orchestra seemed ill-rehearsed, and the crew needed more work (there were a couple of bad incidents).

All in all, the actors were great.  I give the best congratulations to RH, RG, and AD.  I just feel a different directing team could have done a better job.

-NM