Curtains Up … with Camille Bounds: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ is delightfully captivating

Cast of 36 ranges in age from 3 to 13

Published in the October 16, 2019 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Camille Bounds

For the young and young at heart, a timeless fairytale about a glass slipper and a magical night at a royal ball comes to life at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. South Valley Civic Theatre brings a children’s version of the captivating  Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Cinderella” to the stage with a cast of 36 performers.

The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical  opened on Broadway in 2013. This Cinderella has a few new twists with this adaptation by Tom Briggs.

In SVCT’s version, Cinderella is played by an endearing Riley Brown as a considerate and caring young woman. Her cruel step-sisters, Portia and Joy, delightfully are played by Angelina Villafranca and Paige Derosa and keep the audience laughing every time they appear. And London Mcwilliams takes on the role of the unsure, sensitive young prince. Lauren Perales serves up a fantastic performance as  Cinderella’s selfish step-mom who doesn’t deter anyone from her greedy journey.

The large ensemble cast range from ages 3 to 13 and act, sing and dance under the excellent direction and choreography of Daniel McDonald. They carry the production to enjoyable moments  with  lovely tunes by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein including “My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible,” “Ten Minutes Ago,” “A Lovely Night,” and “Do I Love you Because You’re Beautiful?”

I encourage parents to bring their children or a fun joy ride of a delightful telling of a favorite fairytale that includes the magical change from a pumpkin to carriage complete with mice/horse drivers.

A shout out to Kimberly Lynch and Adrianne Wilkinson for their colorful costumes and the quick change from Cinderella’s house-chore rags to a beautiful gown as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother (played with warmth by Jullian Puente) sends the  off to the  ball. Also, I must praise the set designs are by Jarad DeRosa and Jenellen Gallagher’s staff and lighting designer by Bridget Harnett that blend beautifully together.

This South Valley Civic Theatre’s production of “Cinderella” offers a charming, delightful cast that will make audiences smile and put a song or two in their heart.

Camille Bounds is the theatre and arts columnist for Gilroy Life.