Cinderella (Lloyd Webber musical)

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella
Poster for the West End production
Music	Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics	David Zippel
Book	Emerald Fennell
Basis	Cinderella by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm
Productions	2021 West End

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella is a stage musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by David Zippel and a book by Emerald Fennell. The musical's plot is based loosely on the classic story of the same name, but the gender relationships are recast, and a critical thematic element concerns beauty shaming. Cinderella changes her appearance to secure love, but discovers that it is better to be true to yourself.

After beginning previews in June 2021 in London's West End, performances were suspended before the opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production opened on 18 August 2021.

Synopsis[]

Act 1[]

The town of Belleville, France, full of beautiful inhabitants, prepares to be awarded "Most Attractive Town" for the 50th year. The Queen's beloved, flawless, firstborn son, Prince Charming, has died in battle against a dragon; his younger brother, Prince Sebastian, is shy and gawky. The Queen builds a memorial statue in honor of Charming and the 50th year. At the award ceremony, the statue is presented but has been vandalized, causing Belleville to lose the prize and breaking their winning streak ("Buns 'N' Roses"). The townspeople blame the local misfit, Cinderella, a rebellious, goth, loud-mouthed maid ("It Has to Be Her"). They gag her and tie her to a tree in the woods ("Bad Cinderella"). Prince Sebastian, Cinderella’s only childhood friend, arrives to rescue her and teases her for getting tied to a tree again. They catch up and discuss Sebastian’s new status as heir to the throne, and Cinderella's hard childhood after her parents' deaths. After Cinderella leaves, Sebastian reveals that he secretly loves and misses her ("So Long").

At home, Cinderella's vain stepsisters, Adele and Marie, quarrel and complain that Cinderella makes their lives difficult; the Stepmother threatens to kick her out of the house if she causes any more trouble ("Unfair"). Cinderella hopes one day to run away from Belleville, but she stays because she loves Sebastian, though she feels unworthy of him ("Unbreakable"). Meanwhile, Sebastian goes to the Hunks' Gymnasium for his workout ("Hunks' Song"). In panic about the town losing the prize, the Queen decides that, to save the town's reputation, she must throw a Royal Ball on Saturday, inviting every girl in the kingdom; there Sebastian must choose a bride. She dismisses his objections and compares him unfavourably to Charming ("Man’s Man").

In the town square, Sebastian tells Cinderella about the royal wedding and blames her for it. They argue, but Sebastian asks her to be at the Ball ("So Long" (reprise)). Sebastian wonders why he cannot tell Cinderella his true feelings ("Only You, Lonely You"). At the Palace, the Stepmother visits the Queen, and they recall their youth ("I Know You"). The Stepmother arranges to have either of her daughters marry Sebastian ("I Know You" (reprise)). Soon everyone in Belleville is on a shopping spree in the town square to prepare for the Ball. Sebastian gains popularity with the local girls. He sees Cinderella and again asks that she attend the Ball. The Stepmother suggests that Sebastian only invited her out of pity because of her dull looks ("The Village Square").

Later, the Stepmother and stepsisters prepare for the Ball. As Cinderella assists them, they mockingly insist that Sebastian could never choose her ("Unfair" (reprise)). Determined to go to the Ball, Cinderella visits the Godmother, a plastic surgeon, who has made the townsfolk look perfect ("The Godmother's Shop"). In exchange for Cinderella's mother's necklace, the Godmother provides a temporary cosmetic surgery make-over, with a beautiful gown and shoes made of crystal ("Beauty Has a Price"). She tells Cinderella that the pain of maintaining the look will be bearable only until midnight.

Act 2[]

At the Ball ("The Cinderella Waltz"/"The Ball"), Prince Sebastian is annoyed by his suitresses and is anxious, as he must choose a bride by midnight. Cinderella arrives, magnificent but unrecognized. The Queen forces Sebastian to dance with her. Cinderella confesses that she is in love with him, but Sebastian tells her that he is waiting for someone. Cinderella becomes progressively more uncomfortable in her tight shoes. The Stepmother and Stepsisters soon recognize her, as Cinderella cannot walk in heels. The Stepmother forces Adele to kiss Sebastian at the stroke of midnight. She does so, and the Queen declares her Sebastian's bride. Sebastian finally recognizes Cinderella, but she dismisses him, heartbroken. She rips her dress and wig off ("I Know I Have a Heart"). Sebastian is anguished that he hurt Cinderella. The Hunks mock-congratulate him ("Act 2, Scene 2"). In frustration, he defends himself and begins to act like a prince ("I Am No Longer Me").

At home, the Stepmother gloats over Adele's engagement as they prepare for the wedding. Marie is jealous ("Moment of Triumph"). The Stepmother mocks Cinderella for failing to see that Sebastian loves her ("What Were You Thinking?"). Cinderella despairs that she has lost her only best friend/love ("Far Too Late"). She starts packing her things to leave Belleville, but Marie encourages her to stop Sebastian and Adele's wedding, and tell Sebastian how she really feels ("Ego Has a Price" (reprise of "Beauty Has a Price")).

At the wedding ("The Wedding March"/"The Ceremony"), when the preacher asks for objections, Prince Charming (everyone is delighted to see him alive) stops the wedding to save Sebastian. To prevent his own arranged marriage, he faked his death and has returned to marry the love of his life. He comes out as gay and introduces his fiancé, the Duc de Violette ("Man's Man" (reprise)). While the Stepmother is devastated as her plan unravels, the Queen is overjoyed, since this marriage will return Belleville to splendour. She declares that henceforth Belleville will be the city of love; everyone in Belleville cheers for the new Kings ("Marry for Love"), as the wedding bells ring out. Cinderella hears the bells and thinks that Sebastian is married. Shattered, she finishes packing and heads out of Belleville ("Cinderella’s Soliloquy").

At the Palace, Prince Charming and his new husband celebrate a lavish wedding reception, but Sebastian is miserable. Marie tells him about Cinderella's plan to stop his wedding. Realizing that she plans to leave town, he decides to go after Cinderella. The Stepmother accuses the Queen of breaching their deal, but the Queen threatens to execute the Stepmother and throws her out of the Palace ("The Wedding Party"). Sebastian sees that the Godmother has Cinderella's mother's necklace, and the Godmother gives it to him. Sebastian arrives at Cinderella's home to find only her crystal slippers. Luckily, Cinderella returns for the slippers (to sell them). Sebastian returns her necklace and tells her what happened; they both realize the error of their previous changes, and Sebastian decides to run away with Cinderella. They share a tender kiss (Finale).

Productions[]

Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London's West End (July 2021)

West End[]

The musical was workshopped at The Other Palace in London in May 2019 with Carrie Hope Fletcher in the title role, Tyrone Huntley as Prince Sebastian and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as the Stepmother. The cast also included Rebecca Trehearn as Marie, Gary Wilmot as Jean, Ruthie Henshall as The Queen and Jonny Fines as Prince Charming.^[1]

Cinderella began previews at 50% capacity on 25 June 2021 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London's West End.^[2] The opening, originally scheduled for August 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[3] After beginning previews the production was scheduled to open on 20 July, but on 18 July a cast member tested positive for Covid-19; performances were suspended, and the official opening was postponed again.^[4] Performances resumed with an official opening on 18 August.^[5]

The production is directed by Laurence Connor and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter, with set and costume design by Gabriela Tylesova, sound design by Gareth Owen and lighting by Bruno Poet.^[6] Fletcher and Hamilton-Barrit created the roles of Cinderella and the Stepmother, with Trehearn as The Queen (instead of her workshop role). Ivano Turco created the role of Prince Sebastian.^[7]

Broadway[]

Lloyd Webber plans a Broadway production of Cinderella in mid-2022.^[8]

Cast and characters[]

Musical numbers[]

Reception[]

In his 5-star review in The Guardian, Chris Wiegand wrote:

The original story ... by Fennell [has] heart and a torrent of barbed wit, exposing the faulty morals in traditional fairytales. ... Zippel's crystalline lyrics are ... cheekily satirical yet wistful and uplifting. ... Lloyd-Webber's richly enjoyable [numbers] range from grand waltzes, courtly processionals and marches to deftly pastiched and deeply felt romanticism, power-balladry, a splash of chanson and rollicking guitar riffs. Bewitching melodies abound: some refrains are practically iridescent. ...^[9]

Wiegand thought Fletcher and Turco "equally excellent", called Onitiri "fantastic", and praised Trehearn, the principals generally, the designs and the choreography. He concludes, "It adds up to not so much a ball as a blast: terrifically OTT and silly but warm and inclusive, with relatable, down-to-earth heroes and pertinent points about our quest for perfection and our expectations of each other and ourselves."^[9] The Times, The Telegraph, The New York Times and most other reviews also commented positively.^[5]

Concept album[]

A concept album of the show was released on 9 July 2021 on Polydor Records, featuring Fletcher, Turco, Hamilton-Barritt and special guests including Adam Lambert as Prince Charming, Helen George as The Queen, cameo appearances of Sarah Brightman and Emerald Fennell and a bonus track version of "Only You, Lonely You" performed by Todrick Hall.^[10] The recording also includes the song "The Vanquishing of the Three-Headed Sea Witch", performed by Lambert as Prince Charming, which was cut from the original production.^[9] It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.^[11]

References[]

External links[]

• Official website