Cinderella
at Calvary Christian Academy

Reviewed on February 24, 2023

Tatyana Ramlogan
J.P. Taravella High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Cavalry Christian Academy, a magical and wondrous event took place. Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved musical, Cinderella, was brought to life on stage, filling the hearts of the audience with hope and wonder. The talented cast of students delivered a captivating performance, transporting us to a world of dreams and possibilities.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella has been a beloved musical since its premiere on television in 1957. The show follows the story of Cinderella, a young girl who dreams of escaping her life of servitude and finding true love. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella attends the royal ball and captures the heart of the handsome Prince. The Cavalry Christian Academy did an excellent job of bringing this timeless story to life on stage.

Ciana Ruocco, who played the leading lady Cinderella, was a vision of innocence and grace. Her singing voice was sweet and melodic, bringing to life the character's hopes and dreams. Alongside her, Daniel Poulos shone as the handsome Prince, perfectly capturing the character's charm and charisma. Their duets were enchanting, especially "Ten Minutes Ago," which left the audience swooning.

Emma Bruce delivered a breathtaking performance as the Fairy Godmother, enchanting us all with her radiant smile and otherworldly presence. Her rendition of "Impossible" was nothing short of magical, with her stirring vocals. It was a true pleasure to watch Bruce bring this iconic character to life on stage.

The supporting actors also did a fantastic job, with Isabella Leon and Kaia Mills stealing the show as the Stepsisters Portia and Joy. Their comedic timing and exaggerated mannerisms had us in fits of laughter throughout the show. The rest of the supporting cast, including Kelly Goenaga as the Queen and Gage Eller as the King, were also fantastic in their roles, adding depth and humor to the story.

The technical elements of the production were also a sight to behold. The sets were colorful and imaginative, transporting us to a magical world of ballrooms and castles. The costumes were dazzling, with each character adorned in regal and elegant attire. The lighting and sound design were also well executed, adding a touch of magic and drama to the show.

In conclusion, the Cavalry Christian Academy's production of Cinderella was a magical and wondrous event that left us all spellbound. From the leading actors to the supporting cast and technical elements, everything came together seamlessly to create a truly enchanting experience. It was a production fit for a fairy tale, leaving us with a sense of joy and wonder that will last long after the curtains have closed.

Avery Redlich
NSU University School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Poof! Welcome to "Cinderella", where balls are grand, dreams are grander, and glass slippers just can't seem to stay on. The twinkling cast and crew at Calvary Christian Academy opened the storybook on a timeless tale, reminding that there is nothing a little magic and heart can't bibbidi-bobbidi-do.

With music by Richard Rodgers and a book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" was initially written for the screen in 1957 during the golden age of television. Garnering 100 million views even then, "Cinderella" cast a spell on musical theatre history, with 1965 and 1997 movie adaptations and a 2013 Broadway adaptation. Based most closely upon the French version of the fabled fairytale, "Cendrillon" by Charles Perrault, the three-act classic follows a girl and her dreams of a prince as those dreams come true.

According to a fairytale or two, "once upon a time", there was a princess: Ciana Ruocco as the shimmering, glimmering Cinderella. Her voice was pristine and pure and her facial expressions were delicately animated. Alongside her as "his royal highness, Christopher Rupert!," Daniel Poulos put the 'Chris' in 'crisp' vocals, sprinkling classic royal charm like pixie dust. Ruocco and Poulos had a darling, wish-upon-a-star chemistry, even if they only met "Ten Minutes Ago".

No 'fairytale' is complete without the 'fairy'! Emma Bruce was fol-de-rol and fiddle-dee-dee-lightful as Fairy Godmother, mesmerizing the stage with every flick of the wrist, brilliant pronunciation choice, and enchanting vocal performance. Kelly Goenaga's voice as Queen amazed, with mature operatic and vibrato elements acting as jewels on her crown and boosting the production's classical nature. Another standout was Isabella Leon as doting step-sister Portia, marked by extraordinary physical comedy and comedic timing and an authentically "ugh, not them again" dynamic within the hilariously-despicable Step Family ensemble. The overall cast dazzled with distinct characterization, sparkling harmonies, largely coordinated ball-choreography, and well-executed prop work, all whilst performing beside a live orchestra.

Abracadabra--with the wave of a wand, or the work of the crew, the show's technical elements glittered on-and-offstage. The spellbinding costumes, storybook set, and elegant choreography helped bring "Cinderella" from the page to the stage. The Hair and Makeup Team (Avery Rivas, Anneliese Hernandez, Lexi Denison, Annabelle DeSouza, and company) glowed like a shooting star with their makeup, magnifying the contrast between characters: Cinderella and the Prince glistened with softer, sweeter makeup tones, while the Step Family was adorned with brighter, harsher, and more exaggerated ones. But as Cinderella twirls or the clock strikes twelve, it's the crew's brilliant transformations that add a whirl of imagination. Stage Management's Caiden Talbert and company entranced with mystifying set changes and perfectly timed cues--pure magic.

Wishes: granted! Calvary Christian Academy's production of "Cinderella" was "merely lovely" with a commendably high quality of presentation. As the storybook shut, and the curtains magically closed, this classic fable displayed that pumpkin carriages, glass slippers, and happily ever afters aren't as "Impossible" as they seem.

Oliver Paul
Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Nothing is "Impossible", for everything is possible, at Calvary Christian Academy's magical, enchanting, and spectacular performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella".

First released for television in 1957 and viewed by 100 million people, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" would not make its Broadway debut for another 56 years until it premiered at the Broadway Theatre in 2013. This popular and classic folk tale follows the story of a girl, named Cinderella, who is nothing but a maid for her evil stepfamily. Longing for something more, her fairy Godmother gives her a night she wouldn't forget. With pumpkin carriages, white horses, and a handsome prince, Cinderella's dreams all come true. This endearing show reminds all that kindness is always rewarded, but selfishness is not.

Playing the title role of Cinderella was Ciana Ruocco. Ruocco showcased the hardships and obstacles that Cinderella goes through and maintained high energy throughout the entire show and especially during act 2. Ruocco was angelic and did a fantastic job in numbers such as "In my Own Little Corner". Ruocco's greatest moments were with Daniel Poulos who played Prince. Poulos' acting choices in the second and third acts were distinct and greatly aided his performance. Poulos' energy in his scenes with Cinderella was outstanding and showcased their chemistry immensely.

The iconic duo of the wicked stepsisters were embodied by Isabella Leon as Portia and Kaia Mills as Joy. Leon and Mills' involvement on the stage was flawless. From beginning to end, Leon and Mills' had amazing chemistry and their duo dynamic worked in every way. Both actors never let a moment go dull, and left the audience cracking up in every scene.

The ensemble of "Cinderella" was incredibly dedicated and passionate throughout the entire performance. While some areas of the stage were more crowded than others, it was overshadowed by strong energy and vocals in numbers such as "Waltz for A Ball" and "Finale: The Wedding".

The hair, makeup, and costumes of the show were accurate to the "Victorian" era and aided in authenticity. The stage management worked hard to bring the magic to the stage and it was clearly showcased in numbers such as "It's Possible". While some difficulties did occur regarding tech, the cast did not break character.

Calvary Christian Academy's rendition of Roger and Hammerstein's timeless story "Cinderella" was altogether fascinating, compelling, and glamorous.

Sophie Simon
American Heritage School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Once upon a time, in a land right off Florida's Turnpike, a school enchanted its audience with a spell made of thespians and theatrics. To get your fix of a perfect fairytale, leave the Brothers Grimm behind, get in your carriage, and travel to Calvary Christian Academy's production of "Cinderella" before the clock strikes twelve!

Introducing this charming classic to the screens, Rodgers and Hammerstein created their version of "Cinderella" as a telecast, crafting the glass slipper around the great Julie Andrews. This 1957 show has proved a timeless retelling, passing the torch to other musical royalty, such as Brandy Norwood and Whitney Houston. With a little extra magic, this performance took to the stage, landing a spot on Broadway in 2013. This tale of princesses, pumpkins, and prestige is one familiar to audiences across the world, proving that nothing is "Impossible" in the fantasy world.

From sitting "In Her Own Little Corner" to possessing the crown, Cianna Ruocco beautifully portrayed the titular role of Cinderella. Her grace was wonderfully matched by Daniel Poulos, the Prince, claiming the throne with exquisite vocal quality and tone. The two exemplified the perfect pair, displaying radiating chemistry from Ruocco's initial descent down the stairs to discovering their love for one another, despite meeting only "Ten Minutes Ago." Orchestrating the story of trumpets and tiaras, Emma Bruce shined with vocal prowess and roaring applause as the audience fell head-over-slippers for her charisma.

Brewing a perfect remedy to the royal charm, the stepfamily commanded the attention of the audience, despite failing to do so for the Prince. Elisabeth Chew (Stepmother), Kaia Mills (Joy), and Isabella Leon (Portia), devised a memorable lament, utilizing physical comedy and dynamic voice to wickedly waltz their way to the top. Most notably, Leon captured the essence of evil, mixing her dancing ability with comedic timing to create a most memorable character. From four white mice to four white horses, the ensemble's versatility was nothing short of mystical.

In addition to the enchantments occurring live on stage, a production's magic can often be found behind the curtains. Stage Manager Caiden Talbert coordinated a show that was strong as steel, far from the fragility of a glass slipper. Despite unexpected technical difficulties, Talbert kept the carriage wheels rolling and overcame the issue with expertise. The hair and makeup team implemented bright colors into their design, fusing soft and loud colors to illuminate the fairytale narrative. The technical crew, with support from publicity, was sparkling with flair and fancy.

With a Fol-de-Rol and a Fiddle Dee Dee, this spectacle of glamor was a thrilling sight to see. From the King and the Queen to the Herald's "hear ye!" everything is possible in "Cinderella" at Calvary Christian Academy.

Melissa Azzarito
Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

On "a lovely night" in February, there were theatregoers, in such a rush, that slippers were left abandoned on the stairs. Where were they heading that caused such excitement? Calvary Christian Academy's production of "Cinderella"!

Rogers and Hammerstein's version of this classic fairy tale was originally created for television. Written in 1957, and starring the iconic Julie Andrews, the television program had 100 million viewers, when it aired. It was rewritten several times, and only opened on Broadway in 2013, 56 years after it was first made.

Nobody puts Cinderella in a corner! Cianna Ruocco displayed nearly "impossible" talent in her role of Cinderella. Her voice was pure and sweet, perfect for a princess. As with many other cast members, the delivery of her lines was thoughtful and appropriate to her character. Another actress with exemplary characterization was Emma Bruce (Fairy Godmother). She embodied her character with graceful precision. Every facial expression was thought through, and each wave of her hand was calculated, capturing the enchanting nature of the Fairy Godmother. Combined with her vocals, "it's possible," Bruce's performance alone was magical enough to turn a pumpkin into a carriage.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Daniel Poulos (Prince) and Gage Eller (King) were each putting on a royal performance. Both sang their parts beautifully and had consistent energy throughout the show. Eller had superb chemistry with Kelly Goenaga (Queen) throughout the entire show, even when they were in the background of scenes. Poulos acted terrifically, particularly when Cinderella first enters the ball. He is so captivated and enamored by her that the entire mood of the scene shifts, and it can be felt in the audience, which was done wonderfully.

The ensembles were what truly made the show, from the mice's choreography to the big numbers with the townspeople having strong vocals. However, having such a large ensemble on stage was slightly overwhelming, at times. The Stepfamily, Elisabeth Chew (Stepmother), Kaia Mills (Joy), and Isabella Leon (Portia), worked together to bring humor to the show. Specifically, Portia and Joy purposely messing up the choreography, during the ball, added a comedic element without taking away from the scene or
distracting the audience from the plot.

Despite wishing all the wishes in the world, no Fairy Godmother appeared to facilitate putting on this show. Instead, the magic seen on stage is created by the tech crew. The stage managers did an exceptional job at keeping their cues punctual considering the complexity of the production. Additionally, the hair and makeup team were able to accurately reflect the personality of characters in their looks. The chaotic stepsisters had bright flashy looks, meanwhile Cinderella had more simple, innocent makeup. These choices and others suited the characters nicely.

Just as when the clock struck midnight, the curtain comes down on Calvary Christian Academy's production of "Cinderella", ending that night of theatrical magic. After putting in hours of hard work, cast and crew are able to rest in their own little corners of the world and live happily ever after!