REVIEW: Strong, Talented Cast Makes Fairy-Tale Dreams Come True in New Spotlight “Cinderella”
The best performing arts not only offer us incandescent talent from those who share their dazzling gifts with us, but a welcome, necessary, tidy distraction from the chaos, craziness and cruelties of the real world.
When you step into the magical fairy-tale world of the stunning new production of Spotlight Theatre’s “Cinderella,” the contrast could not be clearer. Here we have a kingdom where kindness and hope matter most, dreams can come true, and where sincere, selfless leaders actually want to help the poor and serve humanity. What a concept, huh?
Running through Dec. 14, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, based upon the iconic fairy tale Cinderella, this is the 2013 Broadway adaptation of the big-hearted 1957 musical. This contemporary take on the classic tale features soaring Rodgers & Hammerstein’s songs (none truly made it to classic status), including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” alongside an up-to-date, hilarious, snarky, and romantic libretto by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane.
“Cinderella” premiered on CBS-TV in 1957, starring Julie Andrews, and the affectionate, enthusiastic Spotlight production is directed Sarah Greim with grace, humor and aplomb, and stars a perfect Ivy Jensen in the title role.
Amelia Fischer as Charlotte atop the female ensemble in “Cinderella.”
Having just met Jensen in recent weeks, I’ve come to appreciate the breadth of inspiring artistic skills the 25-year-old North Scott alum displays, on and off stage. She is a dedicated, determined singer/songwriter and music producer, and “Cinderella” is her second leading role at Spotlight since June – the first I unfortunately missed, as Danielle in “Bring It On: The Musical.”
You can tell immediately why Greim cast Jensen as the young servant girl who is mistreated and bullied by her cruel stepmother and self-centered stepsisters, and dreams of a better life.
Like the literate, sprightly Belle of “Beauty and the Beast,” the modest, shy Ella loves books and in the musical’s early “I want” song, Jensen beautifully performs “In My Own Little Corner” and shows us she can be whatever she wants to be. When she unfurls the line “lioness in her lair,” Ivy explodes with world-conquering potential, and you know Ella (and her interpreter) is going places.
Prince Topher (Charles Murphy) tries the glass slipper on the foot of Cinderella (Ivy Jensen) in Spotlight Theatre’s new production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.
Whereas Cinderella (so named since she attracts cinders from the fireplace) is unassuming, wholesome and generous to others, her stepfamily (Brianna Call as the domineering Madame, and Abbie Carpenter and Amelia Fischer as daughters Gabrielle and Charlotte) are loud, selfish and obnoxious.
These are mean and silly villains who are too ridiculous to truly hate, and Fischer – especially in her loud, garish ball gown, whose skirt often impertinently rises up – is a consistent scene stealer, attention whore and tremendously funny.
Amelia Fischer (left), Abbie Carpenter, Ivy Jensen and Brianna Call in Spotlight’s new “Cinderella.”
As Spotlight has regularly done over the years (since its 2018 opening), Greim wisely extends the playing space throughout the large interior of the former Scottish Rite Cathedral, with the stage extending down the middle of the floor seats, and characters sometimes entering from and walking through other parts of the theater.
Charles Murphy makes a stellar debut at Spotlight in the male lead role of Prince Topher. After having played leads as Frederic in St. Ambrose’s “Pirates of Penzance” and Rocky in the latest “Rocky Horror Show” at Circa’s Speakeasy, he’s an ideal, humane complement to Jensen’s Ella. They’re both vulnerable and hopeful, yearning for their true place in society.
Ella kisses her charming prince at Spotlight Theatre, Moline.
As so often in Disney stories, his character is an orphan (following the death of his parents), and Topher is seeking is own identity. Murphy shows off a very strong, solid voice – high, light, gleaming and velvety in many places, such as the wonderful Act II duet, “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”
Ella’s saving grace is the initially mysterious old crazy woman, who hobbles around with a walking stick (reminding me of Beggar Woman in “Sweeney Todd”), who is harmless and is transformed into Marie (the excellent Regina Knobloch), Ella’s Fairy Godmother.
The great talents of costumer Heather Blair are on constant display here, as the colorful ensemble gets decked out in a rainbow of elegant finery and I love the wide smiles of the women during “The Prince is Giving a Ball,” very excited about the prospect of becoming a queen.
A dance break in the middle floor platform is exuberant, reflecting buzzy anticipation in the story.
In “Impossible” and “It’s Possible,” Marie is playful and idealistic, and Ella matches that in her impetuous, irresistible spirit.
In one of the show’s transformations, the best is in Act I, when Jensen first becomes a princess before the ball, after swirling lights and dry-ice effects, she’s changed from her drab servant outfit, into the sensational white gown and sparkly glass slippers. She soon gets to ride in a beautiful wooden carriage decked out with flowers and twinkling lights.
Ivy Jensen as Ella in the Rodgers & Hammerstein 1957 classic.
The first half closer, “Ten Minutes Ago,” is achingly romantic, as Jensen and Murphy both waltz in white in the middle of the theater, as the ensemble silently dances on stage. After full lights are up on stage, they continue waltzing – tres elegant, joyous and grand.
Though this production uses pre-recorded orchestra tracks, our attention stays with the actual actors, who are uniformly good, including Dallas Foss as Sebastian and Jeremiah Viscioni as Jean-Michel.
A promo poster for Spotlight’s “Cinderella,” which runs through Dec. 14 at 1800 7th Ave., Moline.
As Marie, Knobloch is a dependable support for Cinderella, and she really spreads her wings in Act II’s “There’s Music in You,” both physically and vocally.
Both Ella and Topher find themselves, their voice, self-confidence, selflessness, and love for each other. This fairy tale is all the more meaningful since Jensen and Murphy have become a couple in real life, and that electric chemistry on stage doesn’t require acting.
This is an utterly charming, winning show and maybe more of its kindness and open heart will rub off on the rest of the world. It will continue at Spotlight (1800 7th Ave., Moline) 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Dec. 12-13), and 2 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 14).
Tickets are $22 for stadium seating and $27 for floor seats, available HERE.
Ivy Jensen, a 25-year-old North Scott alum, as Cinderella.
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