cinderella the musical
Walt Disney’s 1950 animated feature film Cinderella, which was based on the fairy tale “Cendrillon” by Charles Perrault and the Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Everyone knows the story, and the animated film is a beloved classic. The challenge then for Resorts World Manila’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is to measure up to such high standards.
Just an aside: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a 1957 musical written for television, starring no less than Julie Andrews. It’s been remade for television twice, with one version featuring Brandy Norwood, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, and our very own Paolo Montalban. It’s also been adapted for the stage numerous times. Most recently, Lea Salonga played the title role.
Stepping into the glass slippers this time is Karylle Tatlonghari, with Christian Bautista playing Prince Charming (or rather, as his character is named, Prince Christopher). The chemistry between the romantic leads is crucial, and Karylle and Christian have it in spades. Having partnered up before in West Side Story, Rama Hari, and Kitchen Musical, it’s obvious they are naturally at ease with one another, which helps them portray the breathless exhilaration of falling in love without appearing corny (perfect casting for a telenovela!) And their stellar vocal chops allow them to hit the difficult high notes of the songs.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs are very pleasant and hummable, with organic lyrics that are essential to narrating the story. Standout songs include “In My Own Little Corner," “Impossible/It’s Possible,” and the haunting “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”
Playing Cinderella’s stepmother, Sweet Plantado chews the scenery (but in a good way) and steals the show with every lip curl and cutting one-liner. The two bickering stepsisters (Gianina Ocampo and Maronne Cruz) display a flair for physical comedy and slapstick. The comic relief provided by the villains is a nice antidote to all the
Just an aside: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a 1957 musical written for television, starring no less than Julie Andrews. It’s been remade for television twice, with one version featuring Brandy Norwood, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, and our very own Paolo Montalban. It’s also been adapted for the stage numerous times. Most recently, Lea Salonga played the title role.
Stepping into the glass slippers this time is Karylle Tatlonghari, with Christian Bautista playing Prince Charming (or rather, as his character is named, Prince Christopher). The chemistry between the romantic leads is crucial, and Karylle and Christian have it in spades. Having partnered up before in West Side Story, Rama Hari, and Kitchen Musical, it’s obvious they are naturally at ease with one another, which helps them portray the breathless exhilaration of falling in love without appearing corny (perfect casting for a telenovela!) And their stellar vocal chops allow them to hit the difficult high notes of the songs.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs are very pleasant and hummable, with organic lyrics that are essential to narrating the story. Standout songs include “In My Own Little Corner," “Impossible/It’s Possible,” and the haunting “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”
Playing Cinderella’s stepmother, Sweet Plantado chews the scenery (but in a good way) and steals the show with every lip curl and cutting one-liner. The two bickering stepsisters (Gianina Ocampo and Maronne Cruz) display a flair for physical comedy and slapstick. The comic relief provided by the villains is a nice antidote to all the