Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
at San Juan Hills

Reviewed on April 23, 2016

Claudia Mansoory
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

A magical evening at San Juan Hills

A swell of beautifully harmonized voices spreads across a stage full of friendly faces to create a fairytale-perfect picture, until it's interrupted by a shrill shriek for Cinderella. This shocking deviation from the expected opens San Juan Hills's refreshing production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, a newly adapted story that reinvigorates the classic fairytale with modern, unexpected twists.

With a wide, sweet smile and gentle, flowing movements, Amanda Rhodes perfectly embodies a delicate princess as Ella. Standing tall with a straight back, she is always graceful, even in "In My Own Little Corner" as she crouches low to imitate a huntress when she imagines new adventures. Rhodes shows off her playfulness in "A Lovely Night" when she spins and twirls with a confident grin, acting out her night at the ball.

Charles Lindberg is lively and relatable as Topher, Ella's unconventional prince. Lindberg displays his nonchalance when he casually shrugs after flinging rocks at a dragon and plunging his sword into a giant in "Me, Who am I?". As the story progresses, he grows mature and self-assured and his shallow, unrestrained gait transforms to a wide, confident stride.

Hailey DePoto and Mariana Barrera form a delightful duo as stepsisters Gabrielle and Charlotte respectively. Barrera is whiny and melodramatic, twisting her face into a strained scowl as Ella roughly pulls her corset laces. Her irritability peaks in her comical song, "Stepsister's Lament" when she stomps and tosses shoes about the stage, complaining of men with a nasally belt. DePoto compliments this angry energy with a soft voice and bubbly, girlish laughter, only matching Barrera's exaggerated mannerisms when she feigns illness and falls in an elaborate faint across the couch.

With smooth, fluid movements and a slightly hunched stance, Noah Salviati is sneaky and snake-like as Topher's controlling chancellor. Talking with a slow, affected drone and constantly rolling his wrists in languid gestures, his slimy, scheming nature shines through his every movement.

Costumes, designed by Celina Gigliello, add a uniquely magical element to the show. On multiple occasions actors wear transformation dresses, one of which allows Ella to, with a quick spin and flourish of her skirt, replace her brown rags with a flowing white gown.

With vibrant characters and stunning technical elements, San Juan Hills shares the importance of believing in oneself in order to make change and achieve goals in "Cinderella".

Claudia Mansoory
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

A magical evening at San Juan Hills

A swell of beautifully harmonized voices spreads across a stage full of friendly faces to create a fairytale-perfect picture, until it's interrupted by a shrill shriek for Cinderella. This shocking deviation from the expected opens San Juan Hills's refreshing production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, a newly adapted story that reinvigorates the classic fairytale with modern, unexpected twists.

With a wide, sweet smile and gentle, flowing movements, Amanda Rhodes perfectly embodies a delicate princess as Ella. Standing tall with a straight back, she is always graceful, even in "In My Own Little Corner" as she crouches low to imitate a huntress when she imagines new adventures. Rhodes shows off her playfulness in "A Lovely Night" when she spins and twirls with a confident grin, acting out her night at the ball.

Charles Lindberg is lively and relatable as Topher, Ella's unconventional prince. Lindberg displays his nonchalance when he casually shrugs after flinging rocks at a dragon and plunging his sword into a giant in "Me, Who am I?". As the story progresses, he grows mature and self-assured and his shallow, unrestrained gait transforms to a wide, confident stride.

Hailey DePoto and Mariana Barrera form a delightful duo as stepsisters Gabrielle and Charlotte respectively. Barrera is whiny and melodramatic, twisting her face into a strained scowl as Ella roughly pulls her corset laces. Her irritability peaks in her comical song, "Stepsister's Lament" when she stomps and tosses shoes about the stage, complaining of men with a nasally belt. DePoto compliments this angry energy with a soft voice and bubbly, girlish laughter, only matching Barrera's exaggerated mannerisms when she feigns illness and falls in an elaborate faint across the couch.

With smooth, fluid movements and a slightly hunched stance, Noah Salviati is sneaky and snake-like as Topher's controlling chancellor. Talking with a slow, affected drone and constantly rolling his wrists in languid gestures, his slimy, scheming nature shines through his every movement.

Costumes, designed by Celina Gigliello, add a uniquely magical element to the show. On multiple occasions actors wear transformation dresses, one of which allows Ella to, with a quick spin and flourish of her skirt, replace her brown rags with a flowing white gown.

With vibrant characters and stunning technical elements, San Juan Hills shares the importance of believing in oneself in order to make change and achieve goals in "Cinderella".

Christa Pehrson
University
Submitted for publication to OC Register

A memorable magical night at San Juan's Cinderella

The clock strikes midnight. When Cinderella runs down the steps of the palace, there is no shoe left! San Juan's twist on the classic fairy-tale is full of magic as prince Topher journey's to find Ella and live happily ever after.

Amanda Rhodes as Ella is elegantly charismatic. After she meets the charming Prince Topher (Charles Lindberg) she excitedly takes gliding strides across the stage as if she is floating on air, clasping her hands near her heart, and has a wide cheeky grin. Rhode's light and delicate movements clearly resemble those of a princess and remain consistent throughout the production.

Cinderella's fairy godmother, Marie (Jasmine Powell), voice sparkles in the musical number "It's Possible." Powell uses a clear, forward tone as she gracefully sings the high soprano notes. Her beautiful bright vocal quality reflects her enchantingly sweet character.

The Prince's advisor, Sebastian (Noah Salviati), flamboyantly flips his hands around while taking waltz-like strides across the stage as he attempts to control Topher's decisions. When speaking to Topher about his future bride, Salviati pompously lifts his chin and glares his eyes to assert his power. Salviati's physical traits enhance his snooty character and make him enjoyable to watch.

Mariana Barrera as Charlotte proves her diversity as the traditional stepsister. When she meets Prince Topher she uses a shrill nasal voice, following the stepsister stereotype. However when she sings "Stepsister's Lament" Powell uses a rounder, richer tone quality, showing off her vocal capabilities. Powell's voice variation enhanced her character, making Charlotte complete.

The transformation dress designed by Celina Gigliello brings the fairy godmother's magic to life. Gigliello creates Ella's dress so that the big white ball gown is tucked up underneath Ella's commoner dress, fastened with a string and velcro. Ella's top is un-velcroed to reveal a sparkling dress top. With just a few twirls, Ella is transformed into a princess.

The projections designed by Julia Gordon give the show a sprinkling of magic. During the transformation scene, Gordon floods the stage with a starry projection resembling sparkles. When the pumpkin turns into the carriage she projects the pumpkin growing onto fog, and when the pumpkin is finished growing two flats are separated to reveal a carriage! Gordon's projections give the transformation scene a true fairy-tale feel.

Overall, San Juan's production is truly magical and leaves the impression that kindness is always fashionable.

Christa Pehrson
University
Submitted for publication to OC Register

A memorable magical night at San Juan's Cinderella

The clock strikes midnight. When Cinderella runs down the steps of the palace, there is no shoe left! San Juan's twist on the classic fairy-tale is full of magic as prince Topher journey's to find Ella and live happily ever after.

Amanda Rhodes as Ella is elegantly charismatic. After she meets the charming Prince Topher (Charles Lindberg) she excitedly takes gliding strides across the stage as if she is floating on air, clasping her hands near her heart, and has a wide cheeky grin. Rhode's light and delicate movements clearly resemble those of a princess and remain consistent throughout the production.

Cinderella's fairy godmother, Marie (Jasmine Powell), voice sparkles in the musical number "It's Possible." Powell uses a clear, forward tone as she gracefully sings the high soprano notes. Her beautiful bright vocal quality reflects her enchantingly sweet character.

The Prince's advisor, Sebastian (Noah Salviati), flamboyantly flips his hands around while taking waltz-like strides across the stage as he attempts to control Topher's decisions. When speaking to Topher about his future bride, Salviati pompously lifts his chin and glares his eyes to assert his power. Salviati's physical traits enhance his snooty character and make him enjoyable to watch.

Mariana Barrera as Charlotte proves her diversity as the traditional stepsister. When she meets Prince Topher she uses a shrill nasal voice, following the stepsister stereotype. However when she sings "Stepsister's Lament" Powell uses a rounder, richer tone quality, showing off her vocal capabilities. Powell's voice variation enhanced her character, making Charlotte complete.

The transformation dress designed by Celina Gigliello brings the fairy godmother's magic to life. Gigliello creates Ella's dress so that the big white ball gown is tucked up underneath Ella's commoner dress, fastened with a string and velcro. Ella's top is un-velcroed to reveal a sparkling dress top. With just a few twirls, Ella is transformed into a princess.

The projections designed by Julia Gordon give the show a sprinkling of magic. During the transformation scene, Gordon floods the stage with a starry projection resembling sparkles. When the pumpkin turns into the carriage she projects the pumpkin growing onto fog, and when the pumpkin is finished growing two flats are separated to reveal a carriage! Gordon's projections give the transformation scene a true fairy-tale feel.

Overall, San Juan's production is truly magical and leaves the impression that kindness is always fashionable.

Jackson Maxwell
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

San Juan Hills' ‘Cinderella' is One Lovely Night

San Juan Hills High School's production of Broadway's recent revamp of Rogers and Hammerstein's iconic musical illuminates the familiar fairytale in a fresh, invigorating light, with contemporary comedy, complex characters, and an entirely new political narrative. A story of empowerment in overcoming adversity, "Cinderella" demonstrates that nothing is truly "Impossible."

Gliding onstage with a sonorous soprano and graceful demeanor, Amanda Rhodes is spellbinding as Ella, the pitiful protagonist who suffers unabating abuse from her stepmother, Madame (Anna Moneymaker). After becoming infatuated with her "charming prince" at the ball, her movements become more energetic and detached, allowing her to break free from her menial tasks around the house and drift whimsically across the stage in "A Lovely Night."

While equally smitten, Prince Topher (Charles Lindberg) must also fulfill the duties of the kingdom. Although initially dominated by his advisor Sebastian (Noah Salviati), Lindberg captures a critical character arc by becoming more assertive in his royal role, openly challenging Sebastian's advice by employing a new verbal and physical strength onstage that mirrors his rise to the throne.

While troubled by Topher's rise to power, Sebastian also faces opposition from the newest addition to the tale, Jean-Michelle (Brent Arciniega). A political revolutionary who is "angry for all the right reasons," he singlehandedly attempts to solve the corruption and poverty in the kingdom while unintentionally falling for Ella's spirited stepsister, Gabrielle (Hailey dePoto). At this development, Arciniega departs from his usual indignation and unrestrained movements by transforming them into an endearing benevolence toward Gabrielle, whose proximity to Ella later allows him to advise Topher directly.

Nevertheless, the ambitious acting is accompanied by exemplary design elements. Celina Gigliello's costumes, for instance, include dozens of hand-dyed dresses, several of which successfully transform from tatters to regal attire in a matter of seconds on both Ella and the godmother, Marie (Jasmine Powell), a feat that has captivated audiences ever since the 1957 production. Similarly stunning is Chloe Johnson and Charles Lindberg's lighting, which at one picturesque point paints the entire stage in a wash of stars, creating a darkness which subsequently opens up to reveal the familiar golden carriage.

San Juan Hills High School's production synthesizes stunning design with superb performances, creating a satisfyingly modern spectacle while paying respect to the original work. "Cinderella" is simultaneously inspiring, amusing, and engaging, proving that whatever your dream may be, "It's Possible."

Jackson Maxwell
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

San Juan Hills' ‘Cinderella' is One Lovely Night

San Juan Hills High School's production of Broadway's recent revamp of Rogers and Hammerstein's iconic musical illuminates the familiar fairytale in a fresh, invigorating light, with contemporary comedy, complex characters, and an entirely new political narrative. A story of empowerment in overcoming adversity, "Cinderella" demonstrates that nothing is truly "Impossible."

Gliding onstage with a sonorous soprano and graceful demeanor, Amanda Rhodes is spellbinding as Ella, the pitiful protagonist who suffers unabating abuse from her stepmother, Madame (Anna Moneymaker). After becoming infatuated with her "charming prince" at the ball, her movements become more energetic and detached, allowing her to break free from her menial tasks around the house and drift whimsically across the stage in "A Lovely Night."

While equally smitten, Prince Topher (Charles Lindberg) must also fulfill the duties of the kingdom. Although initially dominated by his advisor Sebastian (Noah Salviati), Lindberg captures a critical character arc by becoming more assertive in his royal role, openly challenging Sebastian's advice by employing a new verbal and physical strength onstage that mirrors his rise to the throne.

While troubled by Topher's rise to power, Sebastian also faces opposition from the newest addition to the tale, Jean-Michelle (Brent Arciniega). A political revolutionary who is "angry for all the right reasons," he singlehandedly attempts to solve the corruption and poverty in the kingdom while unintentionally falling for Ella's spirited stepsister, Gabrielle (Hailey dePoto). At this development, Arciniega departs from his usual indignation and unrestrained movements by transforming them into an endearing benevolence toward Gabrielle, whose proximity to Ella later allows him to advise Topher directly.

Nevertheless, the ambitious acting is accompanied by exemplary design elements. Celina Gigliello's costumes, for instance, include dozens of hand-dyed dresses, several of which successfully transform from tatters to regal attire in a matter of seconds on both Ella and the godmother, Marie (Jasmine Powell), a feat that has captivated audiences ever since the 1957 production. Similarly stunning is Chloe Johnson and Charles Lindberg's lighting, which at one picturesque point paints the entire stage in a wash of stars, creating a darkness which subsequently opens up to reveal the familiar golden carriage.

San Juan Hills High School's production synthesizes stunning design with superb performances, creating a satisfyingly modern spectacle while paying respect to the original work. "Cinderella" is simultaneously inspiring, amusing, and engaging, proving that whatever your dream may be, "It's Possible."