Beginning Nov. 13 and running through Nov. 22,
Aspen Community Theatre (ACT) stages Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” — the grand finale of its Golden 50th Anniversary season. The nonprofit’s 78th production, the performance also marks several firsts and full-circle moments for ACT and Brad Moore, who is directing the musical and has been with ACT since its first show in 1976.
“This is the first time ACT has done Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella.’ This version of the story and Aspen Community Theatre have a lot in common,” Moore said. “Not only are we exploring what it means to grow with your communities, but seeing our dreams realized is what fuels our existence.”
This rendition of the story, with one Tony win and nine nominations, is packed with whimsical and wacky stage presence and blocking, along with themes of young love and self-discovery, come what may. The classic score from Rodgers and Hammerstein is paired with Douglas Carter Beane’s modern, witty book, in which ‘Ella’ (played in this production by Eva Rudow) and the newly-crowned Prince Topher (Gabriel Traver) set out to make their kingdom a kinder, more inclusive and beautiful place for everyone, all the while exploring the love between themselves.
“This is the new Broadway version and has been rebuilt with strong character themes,” Moore said. “The cast and crew are simply the perfect gathering of incredible storytellers. They bring an energy to this production which is passionate, uniquely curious … magical.”
In discussion with Producer Travis Lane McDiffett, who is also moonlighting as the actor playing Sebastian, this production perfectly captures the ethos of what it means to come together as a community.
“Beyond just a story about a prince and princess finding each other, this show is about a community banding together to overcome challenges and make real changes in their world,” he said.
McDiffett shared that the cast is fully embracing that spirit with this show, having developed what he described as lasting connections with one another through the work.
“[The musical] embodies the ‘community’ in ACT’s name, as our cast does the same to bring this show to the stage. They’ve been dedicated and have done their best in balancing the challenges of having families and commitments, while still devoting themselves to this,” he said. “It’s always a joy to see the cast develop not only as performers, but to also make lasting connections and friendships that will exist beyond closing night.”
According to a press release, audiences can expect a set that was inspired by French pop-up books, with on-stage transformations and “a cast of puppets [that] brings more characters to life, including a fox, a raccoon, mice that become horses and a towering 12-foot giant.”
Tickets are available, but going fast, according to the production team. To snag yours, visit aspencommunitytheatre.org
In a nutshell
What: “Cinderella”
Who: Aspen Community Theatre
Where: Aspen District Theater
When: Nov. 13-22, Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays at 2pm, plus a 2pm matinee on Saturday, Nov. 21
Tickets: www.aspencommunitytheatre.org