The Sacramento Theatre Company's production of "Cinderella," which opened during the weekend and continues through Jan. 4, is the perfect kind of holiday entertainment – fun for the kids and not just endurable but actually fun for the adults as well.
Performed in the British panto style with men playing some women's roles, it's anything but a drag. Cinderella is still a lovely young lady (Morgan Cook at the performance reviewed here but played by Hilary Wells at other times) – nobody would mess with that. But the stepmother and two stepsisters are played by men.
Michael RJ Campbell and Brian Rodda play Goneril Baden and Regan Rotten, two offspring of previous marriages of Cinderella's stepmom, Mrs. Baden-Rotten, played by William Elsman.
Elsman is not just bad and rotten; he's a real mean mother. These three cross-dressing clowns bring a smile to the lips at just the thought of their ridiculous attire (costumes by B. Modern). But when Elsman glowers, watch out!
No wonder Cinderella's father, the lovable lush Baron Hard-Up (the delightful Jim Lane) quakes in her presence then heads off for the pub, leaving poor Cinderella to fend for herself and mend and clean and everything else for the others.
Meanwhile, at the palace, the King and Queen (Barry Hubbard and Orlana Klip) are fretting about their son, Prince Charming (Tristan Rumery), who prefers to read books than to hunt squirrels and chase girls. They plan a big ball to invite all the eligible young ladies in the kingdom to audition for the role of princess.
You know how the story goes from there: The fairy godmother (Lucinda Hitchcock-Cone, simply superb) appears, whips up a lovely frock, turns a pumpkin into a coach (with a lot of coaxing from her and the audience) and sends the most beautiful young lady off to meet her prince.
The chemistry between Cook and Rumery seems completely natural. He looks into her eyes, she smiles … ah, love.
Kyle Welling as Dandini the valet, Jessica Goldman as Bo Peep and Caleb Salmon (as charming as a prince, as Buttons) add comedy and heart in equal parts.
Peggy Shannon directs with a playfulness that is perfectly suited to the piece, encouraging audience response – "Bear! Bear!" and "Buttons!" – changing the pace to let a little innocent romance break up the hilarity.
The original concept is by Paul Whitworth, the book and lyrics by Kate Hawley and the music – some of the tunes are absolutely lovely – is by Gregg Coffin. The singing is strong, particularly the Good Fairy's "Presto!" and the Queen and King's "What Kind of Girl Is That?"
The Prince's "Someone, Some Day," which gets a reprise by Cinderella, is an excellent song – maybe not the most easily sung but very well done here.
Call The Bee's Jim Carnes, (916) 321-1130.
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