Not Disney or Grimm: REP stages different ‘Cinderella’
REP introduces Filipino audiences to an original musical that reimagines one of the world’s best-loved fairy tales.
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REP introduces Filipino audiences to an original musical that reimagines one of the world’s best-loved fairy tales.
Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman.
PHOTOGRAPHs courtesy of Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman Write Musicals/fb
When Repertory Philippines (REP) raises the curtain on Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper from 22 August to 13 December at the REP Eastwood Theater, audiences won't be watching Disney's animated princess or another retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
Instead, the company is presenting an original musical by American collaborators Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, under the direction of Joy Virata and Cara Barredo. The writing duo has devoted its career to creating family musicals that introduce children to live theater.
The duo behind the fairy tale
Unlike many musical theater writers known for Broadway blockbusters, Vogt and Friedman have spent decades writing original musicals for young audiences.
Together, they write the book, music and lyrics for their productions, which have been staged by professional, community, and educational theater companies across the United States and internationally. Their best-known musical, How I Became a Pirate, has been produced by more than 500 theaters worldwide.
Their other works include Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Prince, Anne of Green Gables, The Magical Adventures of Merlin, and Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical.
Their contributions have earned them recognition as the 2005 National Music Educators of the Year, three Owen Awards for music and recording sales achievement, and a nomination for the 2015 Ohio Governor's Award for the Arts.
A Cinderella with its own footprints
Vogt and Friedman's version keeps the familiar story of a young woman who overcomes hardship with the help of her Fairy Godmother and eventually meets the Prince at the royal ball. But they also leave their own footprints on the fairy tale.
Created specifically for family audiences, the musical introduces Putterman, a mischievous rat who becomes Cinderella's loyal companion throughout her journey. The show also features eight principal characters, runs for about 65 minutes, and moves through quick scenes designed to keep younger audiences engaged.
The musical's original score was preserved in a 24-track studio cast recording released in 2015 by Vogt Friedman Music LLC. Songs include "Dreaming," "Let's Throw a Ball," "Dance With Me," "When My Eyes Met His," "There's a Girl There's a Slipper," and "Just Put Your Best Foot Forward."
How this Cinderella differs
Rather than relying on elaborate theatrical illusions, Vogt and Friedman designed the musical for live family theater.
According to the creators, the production minimizes large magical effects and instead relies on storytelling, humor, memorable characters, and an original score. The addition of Putterman further distinguishes the musical from the Disney adaptation while preserving the familiar heart of Cinderella's story.
REP's production
Sharing the title role of Cinderella are Katie Bradshaw, Ornella Brianna and Julia Santiago. Khalil Tambio and Radson Flores alternate as the Prince, with Lance Soliman as cover.
Stephen Viñas and Jay Pangilinan alternate as Putterman, with Steven Hotchkiss as cover. Cara Barredo and Mayen Cadd share the role of the Fairy Godmother.
The cast also features Hans Eckstein, Steven Hotchkiss, and Hades Kitane as Frederick; Pinky Marquez and Ring Antonio as the Stepmother, with Mayen Cadd as cover; Arielle Magno and Barbara Jance as Stepsister 1; and Sebastian Katigbak and Paul Atienza as Stepsister 2, with Jay Barrameda serving as cover for both stepsisters.
