Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
at Thomas S. Wootton High School

Reviewed on March 25, 2017

Gabbie Ballesteros
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Complete with pumpkins, evil stepmothers, glass slippers, and a happy ending, Thomas S. Wootton High School brought the classic fairytale of Cinderella to dazzling life on stage.

Composed by the iconic team of Rodgers and Hammerstein for a 1957 television broadcast, the production has since taken many forms, including two subsequent television adaptations, US and Asian tours, and finally a 2013 Broadway production starring Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana. It tells the beloved story of Cinderella, a young girl stuck slaving for her cruel stepmother and vapid stepsisters after the death of her father. Nevertheless, she is kindhearted and fanciful, using her wild imagination to picture a more adventurous life. Aided by her fairy godmother, Cinderella fulfills her dream of attending the Prince's ball and is whisked away on a whirlwind of romance, excitement and magic.

The epitome of everything a Disney Princess should be, Emily Ray gave an awe-inspiring performance as Cinderella. From her adorable giggles and mannerisms to her angelic and effortless vocals, Ray infused spunk and grace with every moment on stage. Her effervescence was effortlessly complemented by Krystian Ochman's charming Prince Topher. Ochman's smooth and controlled vocals only added to his character's dreamy presence, and the two's natural chemistry drew endless squeals from the audience.

Taylor Litofsky and William Memmott also had winning chemistry as Cinderella's less-than-evil stepsister Gabrielle and the fiery Jean Michel. Litofsky's endearing innocence and portrayal of a daughter conflicted between her family and her heart was impressive, and Memmott's solid vocals and clear passion made his character's sincerity all the more heartwarming.

Powerful in her elegance, Sophia Koval was exceptional in the role of Marie (the Fairy Godmother). Her strong and operatic voice captivated the audience and captured the true fairy tale quality of the show. Daria Kerschenbaum provided a deliciously cruel contrast as Cinderella's evil stepmother, and her iconic cackles and barbed insults were both well-executed and entertaining. Other standouts included Julia Bergel as the hilarious and overlooked Charlotte, and Matthew Rosenthal as the reliable and dulcet-toned Lord Pinkleton.

The ensemble gave a dedicated and dynamic performance, infusing energy and character into large scenes and executing their choreography with grace and precision. The colorful costumes were gorgeous and detailed, eliciting gasps from the audience during the iconic transformation scene, and the picturesque sets were well thought out and delightful, providing a perfect background for the action on stage. The pit orchestra was particularly impressive, playing with the precision and expressiveness of professionals, and the special effects and unique props added another layer of magic to the fairy tale setting.

Overall, the performers of Thomas S. Wootton High School put on a vocally impressive and spellbinding production of this classic fairy tale, that captivated and exhilarated their enraptured audience.

Aubrey Winger
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

A high school creating a fairytale musical full of heartfelt optimism and stellar vocals seems about as impossible as a plain yellow pumpkin becoming a golden carriage. That being said, T.S. Wooton High School easily accomplished this feat with their latest production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella".

One of the most iconic stories of our time, versions of "Cinderella" has been adapted into countless movies, books, and stories. However, it wasn't until 1957 that the first musical version was created as a T.V. special, starring Julie Andrews. Almost 60 years later, in 2013, this Rodgers and Hammerstein show made its Broadway debut and glass slippers finally graced the New York stage.

Ella (Emily Ray) seemed as though she came straight out of a fairytale. Everything about her, from her clear soprano voice to her friendship with various woodland creatures, was the very picture of a princess. Her kindness and innocence paired perfectly with the charming Prince Topher (Krystian Ochman). The chemistry between them was simply magical, while their voices complemented each other perfectly in their numerous duets. Ochman had every audience member swooning as he crooned his solo numbers. The song "Loneliness of Evening" showcased his voice and his desperation to find Ella once again.

Topher's entourage was made up of two especially memorable characters: Sebastian (Matthew Bottiglieri) and Lord Pinkleton (Matthew Rosenthal). Bottiglieri played his character cunning and rat-like, while hilariously mocking the prince in his attempt to find Ella. Every spare moment on stage was spent scheming. He was juxtaposed by Rosenthal, who took great pride in being the kingdom's local announcer. His bubbly personality and bewitching voice made every royal proclamation exciting.

Daria Kerschenbaum as Madame, the evil stepmother, was perfectly malicious. She over exaggerated her malevolent nature without falling into stereotypes, adding deliciously evil humor to every scene with her elegant physique and unbridled hatred of kindness. Her two daughters, Charlotte (Julia Bergel) and Gabrielle (Taylor Litofsky) were equally impressive. Bergel's down-to-earth, constantly hungry portrayal of Charlotte was hilarious and perfectly relatable. Her song "Stepsisters Lament" showcased her belting and recognized the perfectly ordinary girls out there who are overlooked by every Prince Charming. Madame's other "real daughter" Gabrielle was adorably heartsick for the dashing revolutionary Jean-Michel (William Memmott). Her inner struggle between obeying her mother and being her own person was heart wrenching, while the relationships she forged with Jean-Michel and Ella were authentic and utterly captivating.

The use of a smoke machine paired with LED lights gave the entire show a mystical feel. The various on-stage quick changes and epic chase sequence were all pulled off beautifully by the actors, bringing the magic behind this classic tale to life. The pumpkin carriage, decked out with sparkles and lights galore, was a ride fit for a princess.

With whimsy and wonder galore, T.S. Wooton High School's production of "Cinderella" truly proved that one pair of shoes can change your life.
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Celia Richardson
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Have you ever dreamed of transforming rags into gowns and pumpkins into carriages? Well, Thomas S. Wootton High School's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella proved that with a little kindness and a touch of magic, dreams really do come true. Grab your glass slippers and enter this fantastical world of love and longing where the poor become queens and fairies in disguise roam free.

Based on Charles Perrault's classic fairy tale, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was written for television and aired on CBS in 1957, additionally enjoying a Broadway run in 2013.
This timeless tale follows the young dreamer Ella (Emily Ray) who, after the death of her father, is subject to the cruel whims of her stepmother Madame (Daria Kerschenbaum). However, despite initial adversity she is able to escape her circumstances and find true love, with the help of her Fairy Godmother (Sophia Koval, proving once and for all that "It's Possible."

Emily Ray, starring as the show's namesake, wooed audiences with her clear voice, impressive range, and chillingly beautiful vibrato. Conveying Ella's hope and optimism, Ray embodied the spirit of the show. Alongside Ray was Krystian Ochman as the noble Prince Topher, the caring ruler and eligible bachelor for which Ella falls. Together, the two displayed unmatched chemistry and professional quality performances. Standout numbers include "Loneliness of Evening" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful."

Backing up the show's leads were a lively ensemble and strong supporting cast. Matthew Rosenthal impressed in the role of Lord Pinkleton, demonstrating his vocal capabilities in "The Prince is Giving a Ball." Sophia Koval put on a simply magical performance as Marie/The Fairy Godmother, effortlessly awing in "Impossible" and "It's Possible." Other standout performances include those of Daria Kerschenbaum (Madame), whose perfected evil laugh contributed to the delightfully over-the-top nature of her character; Taylor Litofsky (Gabrielle), whose character developed from obedient daughter to love-struck, ladle-wielding young woman; and Julia Bergel (Charlotte), whose comedic timing never failed to move the audience to laughter.

Reinforcing the quality of the show was the remarkable crew work. Led by Jimmy Baldwin, Line Bower, and Kaylee Mina, the set crew wowed, most notably with the giant two-story castle. Other sets were easily interchangeable and though some transitions were lengthy, the audience was kept entertained by the pit orchestra. Other noteworthy features include the light-up carriage and use of a smoke machine to creatively depict an off-stage dragon.

Cinderella is a challenging show, but this cast and crew hit the nail on the head with their engaging, whimsical, and colorful production. Giving new life to a well-known story, Wootton High School's interpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a delight for theater-goers of all ages.

Julian Perez-Garcia
Montgomery Blair High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

It's the classic tale everyone knows by heart: a beautiful girl, ridiculed and mistreated by her own stepmother, is visited by a protective fairy godmother who helps her achieve her dreams of escaping her old life and falling in love with the charming prince who rules the land. In some ways, it's easy to dismiss these well-known narratives because of their predictability and sameness; in another way, it can be quite charming to see a unsurprising tale spun in a way that takes the audience off guard with its whimsy and colorful vivacity. "Cinderella," put on by Wootton High School's Center for the Arts, falls firmly into the latter category.

The show's narrative, taken largely but not entirely from Rodgers and Hammerstein's popular 1957 television broadcast, adds a few more songs and changes the disposition of a few characters. In a bit of a twist from the story with which most are familiar, this show also includes a political revolution and a stepsister sympathetic to Cinderella's desires.

Led beautifully by Emily Ray and Krystian Ochman (playing Ella and Prince Topher, respectively), the show's cast crackled with believable chemistry. Every moment that the two shared on stage commanded the attention of the entire audience, and their voices and body language convinced everyone that they were truly watching a couple fall in love. This was especially apparent during instances where the pair sang together, such as their breathtaking and powerful duet in "Loneliness of Evening." All the songs were made even better by the astounding vocal prowess of both leads, which together made it quite easy to forget that this was a high school production.

In supporting roles, Daria Kerschenbaum portrayed a delightfully sinister antagonist, characterizing the greedy stepmother with a reverberating evil laugh and movements consistent with a haughty, high-class woman. Local revolutionary Jean-Michel (William Memmott) and stepsister Gabrielle (Taylor Litofsky) sang with power and purpose, but maybe more impressively created a couple that can only be described as adorable.

Behind the scenes, Wootton's incredible pit orchestra found a way to carve out a distinct and impressive identity as the night wore on and the pieces proved to be progressively complex. And the sets, too, stood out: the castle location, specifically, was a gargantuan and imposing seven-piece set that found a way to express the might of the monarchy and portray everything from a throne room to a ballroom.

Unfortunately, a few minor technical difficulties marred an otherwise smooth and engaging show. Articulation issues, especially near the beginning, and fuzzy microphones made some lines difficult to hear. But they were small distractions in the middle of a show that otherwise was able to transport the audience, if only for one night, to a faraway kingdom filled with romance and childlike wonder.