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Revised 'Cinderella' still makes musical magic

The show must go on. And at Wednesday's opening of "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella," a delicious confection with a scrumptious score, it went on with understudy Audrey Cardwell in the titular role.

Taking over for Paige Faure - who became ill shortly after her sweet first-act rendition of "In My Own Little Corner," one of Richard Rodgers' loveliest waltzes - Cardwell slipped seamlessly into the iconic role of the scullery maid turned princess.

Prettily sung by the winsome Cardwell, this isn't the Cinderella of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1957 made-for-television special. In 2012 the character, like the musical itself, was re-imagined for Broadway by satirist and sometime script doctor Douglas Carter Beane ("The Nance," "The Little Dog Laughed"), who literally rewrote Hammerstein's book.

Beane's version is all about self-esteem, self-empowerment and living up to one's potential. This modern Cinderella, Ella for short, is an empowered young woman with a generous heart and a social conscience.

Her prince, Topher, played with genial self-effacement by Andy Jones, is a recent university grad eager to make his mark but lacking the self-confidence to do so. Instead he defers to his regent, the scheming Sebastian (Blake Hammond), whose motives aren't really clear, but whose policies deprive citizens of their land and rights, but who manages to deflect the prince's inquiry with a grand ball.

Ella's stepmother Madame (Beth Glover) is a social climber "treading precariously between the upper middle class and the lower upper class," and she's determined to secure her position by marrying one of her daughters to the prince. Unassuming Gabrielle (Ashley Park) is more interested in activist Jean-Michel (the delightfully menschy David Andino), champion of the poor and oppressed. That leaves bratty Charlotte (a fine comic turn by the feisty Aymée Garcia whose "Stepsister's Lament" is a highlight). But an unwitting insult ruins any chance she may have at winning the prince's heart.

Offsetting the gentle snark of Beane's book (there's nothing subtle about Beane's humor here) is director Mark Brokaw's brisk, vibrant production. Brokaw keeps sentiment in check in this sweet show, which comes with a tasty side of theatrical magic. That's evident in Ella's initial onstage rags-to-ballgown transformation at the hands of fairy godmother Marie, played by Kecia Lewis, who makes up for a rather anemic "Impossible" in the first act by pulling out all the stops in her 10 o'clock number "There's Music in You."

Set designer Anna Louizos' glittering golden coach also makes an impression, as do costume designer William Ivey Long's delectable, rainbow sherbet-colored ballgowns sprinkled with sparkles and flounces.

Add to that the guileless performances from Jones and Cardwell (who was greeted with hearty applause at the curtain call), and you have a treat a new generation of fans will likely savor for some time to come.

Charlotte (Aymée Garcia), center in pink, bemoans the fact that the prince fancies someone other than her in “Stepsister's Lament,” from “Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella” in its first Broadway tour. courtesy of Carol Rosegg
Rodgers and Hammerstein's scrumptious score and William Ivey Long's rainbow-colored costumes make this touring version of Broadway's “Cinderella” a real delight. courtesy of Carol Rosegg
Ella (Paige Faure) and Topher (Andy Jones) dance the night away in “Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.” courtesy of Carol Rosegg
Ella (Paige Faure) dreams of a better life in “Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.” courtesy of Carol Rosegg

“Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella”

★ ★ ★

Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (800) 775-2000 or

broadwayinchicago.com

Showtimes: 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 4. Also 2 p.m. Dec. 23, 24, 26, 31 and Jan. 1. No show Dec. 25. No 7 p.m. show Dec. 24, 28, Jan. 1 and 4.

Running time: About two hours, 15 minutes with intermission

Tickets: $22-$115

Parking: Area pay garages

Rating: For all ages

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