Chelsea Udoye and Cast Photo by Alexxis Grant, Timeless Present Photos

The original fairy tale of the young, poor, dirty girl who finds herself transformed into a beautiful woman and falls in love with the prince at a ball he throws, has been told in countless forms for centuries, with roots in folklore across the globe. Rodgers and Hammerstein's version stays true to the core elements of many of these tales–the horrible stepmother, the pumpkin carriage, the glass slipper, and the magical transformation. With a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and the inclusion of songs from lesser-known Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, the result is a version of Cinderella that feels both familiar and refreshingly new, as Beane's updated book adds contemporary relevance.

Cinderella is no longer a passive dreamer but a young woman with ideas, compassion and courage. Prince Topher is given more depth and vulnerability, and even the stepmother and stepsisters are written with refreshing complexity. Several songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein's lesser-known musicals, such as "Me, Who Am I?," cut from Me & Juliet, and "Loneliness of Evening" and "Now Is the Time," both of which were cut from South Pacific, are woven seamlessly into the score, with updated lyrics that tie into and enhance the narrative while also providing new layers to the characters.

The cast of Arizona Broadway Theatre's production deliver bright and solid performances. As Cinderella, Chelsea Udoye brings warmth and intelligence to the role, with a voice that effortlessly carries both tenderness and strength and a constant sense of inquisitiveness. Prince Topher is played with charm and heart by Christopher Arellano, whose crisp and clear vocals soar in both solo and duet numbers; his delivery of "Loneliness of Evening" is gorgeous. Udoye and Arellano create a fun duo that you root to see succeed and overcome the many obstacles thrown in their way.

Ivana Martinic is superb as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, with a radiant, playful, and mischievous presence and a powerful voice that fills the theater; her excellent delivery of "There's Music in You" is a crowd-pleaser. Martinic plays a dual role, as her character, the poor, crazy woman Marie, who is Cinderella's friend, transforms into her Fairy Godmother, and Martinic manages to create two completely unique individuals, unlike others I've seen in previous productions, which brings depth and nuance to the role. Kimberly Abrams is a hoot as Cinderella's wicked stepmother, and Devorah Joyce Coon and Karsten Lane Flake as the stepsisters offer scene-stealing humor and surprising moments of sincerity due to the updates Beane has made that flesh out the characters.

Darren Friedman has fun as one of the musical's antagonists, Prince Topher's nefarious advisor Sebastian, but Beane's updated book gives him a few layers to play so the character isn't just a one-dimensional bad guy. Ben Thomas Strong is fun and charming as Jean-Michel, who is trying to get the Prince's attention and make him aware of the hardships his laws have put upon the poor people in the village, while Andrew Hendrick's impressive singing voice shines as Lord Pinkleton. The members of the ensemble have fun playing various roles, with every cast member, from the leads to the ensemble, delivering performances full of energy.

Nick Dalton's direction is crisp and imaginative. The scenes move fluidly, keeping the energy and comedy high while allowing the emotional moments the appropriate room to breathe and resonate. My only quibble is that some of the jokes in Beane's script are lost due to rushed lines or comic timing that could be sharper. Kurtis Overby's choreography is the perfect blend of romance and fantasy with many elegant dances for the ball scene that are danced well by the entire cast. The set design by Matthew Herman uses bright drops and moveable set elements that bring the image of a pop-up storybook to life. The combination of the set's bright colors and rich designs with Chris Ignacio's projections, depicting enchanted forests and magical elements, creates a whimsical feast for the eyes. Morgan Andersen's costumes are rich and detailed, with sparkling gowns, regal suits, fantastical flourishes, and fun transformations for both Cinderella and Marie that enhance the magical tone of the show. Adam Berger's music direction derives bright and rich notes from the entire cast.

With a talented cast, crisp direction, and imaginative designs, Arizona Broadway Theatre's production of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella is a charmer. This revised production honors the legacy of the classic tale while updating its message for today's audiences, delivering joy, heart, and a touch of magic. It reminds us that kindness, courage and hope still have the power to change the world, and that sometimes, a glass slipper can lead to much more than just a happy ending.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella runs through July 26, 2025, at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 West Paradise Lane, Peoria AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.azbroadway.org or call 623-776-8400.