Entering Cinderella’s Realm

CEBU, Philippines -  When we were brought to Manila to attend the Philippine premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella" at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) of Resorts World Manila, I psyched myself to become a child once more.  This is the best way to enter into the realm of fairy tales, to be involved through heart and mind.

"The sweetest sounds I'll ever hear….are still inside my head.

The kindest words I'll ever know….are waiting to be said.

The most entrancing sight of all….is yet for me to see;

And the dearest love in all the world….is waiting

somewhere for me….

Is waiting somewhere, somewhere for me."

When I was in high school, I heard this song performed by a young and beautiful Julie Andrews as Cinderella .It could have been an excerpt in her Julie Andrews Show, or a replay of the television musical "Cinderella," a 1957 CBS Special. The melody and lyrics of this "Cinderella" theme song resonated in my teenage heart and remained in my memory through the years. But I eventually forgot where it came from,  so it was a delightful surprise to listen to Karylle (as Cinderella) and Christian (as Prince Christopher) sing it poignantly at the start of the play, and in the reprise at the later part of Act 1. This charming little song sets the mood for the musical -  the unwavering hope for what is good to become real one day.

Resorts World Manila (RMW) researched well for the background of this production of the classic fairy tale that has over one thousand multi-cultural retellings over the centuries.  The earliest version was Egyptian, while the modern one is the continuing DVD cartoon stories by the Walt Disney Studios, of what happened to Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters after she married the Prince.

But it is the Chinese legend of "Ye Xian" in the 9th century, considered the earliest Asian story similar to "Cinderella," that best explains why the slipper never fits any other foot except hers. She was lotus-footed, being a woman of noble birth, so a magic spell made the slippers custom-fit her tiny bound feet.  This Asian tale may also explain why Cinderella remains docile despite the abuses of her adopted family. To Asians, especially the Chinese, a parent is next only to God, in terms of reverence and devotion.  And family togetherness is important above all else.

The fairy tale has undergone a lot of modern twists and tweaks, and one favorite is Drew Barrymore's tomboyish portrayal of Cinderella in "Ever After," set in Renaissance France with Leonardo da Vinci as the fairy godfather. For the RMW version, the Fairy Godmother's (played by lovely singer/actress/director Menchu Lauchengco) wise words to Cinderella carries their theme: "It's true that everything starts with a wish, but it's what you DO with the wish that counts!" And when she turns the pumpkin into a crystal carriage, the mice into horses, the rats into footman and driver, ah…magic begins! And stars fall down from all over, as you find yourself as breathless in excitement as Cinderella!

Production magic wand holder is South African stage designer/director Andrew Botha, with 30 years of creating magic in various parts of the world. Supporting him is Russian Costume Designer Aksana Sidarava, with Costume Special Effects designers Szebasztian Richter and Krisztina Eotvos.  The characters appear in a credible fairy tale era with their voluminous skirts, sparkling jewelry and piled-high hairstyles. The town people are equally credible in their colorful but plebeian attires.

Of course, it is a boost that NPAT has state-of-the-art lights and sounds, plus the largest LED wall in all of Southeast Asia.  The stage transforms before your eyes from the dank kitchen of Cinderella's home, to the grand palace, or to the shadowy forest, where Cinderella's wishing tree has grown.  When people fly away or burst into nothingness in smoke, stage contraptions are demanded, as well as a stage that revolves, or goes up or down upon need. NPAT enables the magic to entrance the audience all throughout the performance.

Versatile singer/comedienne Pinky Marquez (sister of Petite Marquez-Garcia, President of Cebu Arts Council) is the alternate for the roles of Wicked Stepmother (voice coach/director Sweet Plantado) and Fairy Godmother (Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo) on certain show dates. Karylle Tatlonghari has alternates Julia Abueva and Justine Pena in the role of Cinderella; while Fred Lo alternates with Christian Bautista in the role of Prince Christopher.  For the parents of the Prince, veteran actor/director Miguel Faustmann plays King Maximillian with singer Sheila Francisco as Queen Constantina.

"It has never been done in this scale," Director Michael Stuart Williams points out. "The package of it looks brand new but the core of it is still that golden nugget that we've preserved, although everything around it is updated. I think that's the beauty of it.  It's like a little cordial cherry in a chocolate shell. It's still quite relevant and beautiful." And so politically correct and funny and wistful and romantic – so Cinderella! (FREEMAN)