by Julia Doerr
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Lincoln Community Playhouse, Friday May 2, 2025
Not too surprisingly, there was more than one Cinderella in the house at Friday’s opening of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical version at the Lincoln Community Playhouse. Several little girls in tiaras came to the show, and at least one grown woman was wearing one in her lovely silver hair as well. I guess we are all, at some level, suckers for this story, and we never really grow out of it. It is a charming and very family-friendly production that was clearly appreciated by the multi-generational audience.
Of course, Chloe Peters and Ben Vandevere shine in conventional ways as Cinderella and the Prince, especially when their well-matched voices sing together in well-known duets like “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful,” but there is plenty of good material for those in supporting roles.
For me, it is often the character actors I enjoy the most in almost any play. There are several fun performances in Cinderella, starting in the very first scene. Max Antoine as the Royal Herald gets the first laugh in the show before he even speaks a word. Tom Hinshaw charms as the somewhat hapless but perfectly lovable King. The young actors in the Youth Ensemble add a lively and active presence in the crowd scenes. They also serve as a team of quite lovely and graceful white horses who pull Cinderella’s magical coach. I love the bounce of their feathery white heads as they move through the music.
The best laughs come from the Stepmother and her daughters Portia and Joy, played to the hilt by Amy Koepke, Drea Reed, and Caitlin Marrow. Their delusions of grandeur are very well seasoned by their garish costumes. Just too much of too much plus a generous dollop of cruelty. The “Stepsisters’ Lament” is classic comedy.
It is a treat to have a live orchestra in the pit and some good singing on the stage. There are some great numbers in this show, including “In My Own Little Corner,” and “A Lovely Night,” which showcase Peters’ talent. If you are my age, you may remember them from the televised version of Cinderella (starring Leslie Ann Warren), which was replayed annually during the 1960s. I always want to sing along. Nothing wrong with a little nostalgia!
Lincoln Community Playhouse has done some great productions of much darker material (e.g. Sweeney Todd and Cabaret) in the past few seasons. This one is light and fluffy and appropriate for all ages. By all means, plan a family outing to see it during its run this month.
If you go: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella runs May 2-4, 9-11, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sundays at 2PM. Ticket information at https://www.lincolnplayhouse.com.
Julia Doerr is a retired high school English teacher with a lifelong love of theatre.
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