There was magic in the air

It was almost a full house on opening night, Sunday, at the Orange Community Player’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

With elaborate costumes and sets, the classic fairy tale was told in memorable song and dance. The wicked step-mother and her two bratty daughters, Portia and Joy, always treated poor Cinderella like a servant. Godmother works her magic and sends Cinderella to the ball... Everyone knows the story, but if you have never heard the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music and lyrics, your missing out. 

I still remember watching the 1965 musical on TV with Leslie Ann Warren. I was ten years old. Some shows stick with you for a lifetime.

Donna Rogers did a great job casting the show. Jenny Carson portrayed all the arrogance and snootiness of the stepmother, while Haley Seymour and Jennifer Garrison did a great job as the stepsisters. As Portia, all Jennifer Garrison had to do to get a laugh was smile. Make-up and a toothless grin transformed her into one of the ugliest stepsisters ever to grace a stage. Seymour’s and Garrison’s antics were rewarded with thunderous applause during the curtain call.

Caroline Armstrong as Cinderella and Travis Coombs as the Prince were well matched. They were very believable as a young couple in love...especially during the kiss, the kiss and the kiss again.

Lucky Coombs got to lock lips with Cinderella three times on stage. The perfect stage kisses, soft, gentle and lingering. They must have spent a lot of time practicing.

Tom Taliaferro as the King was a delight as he dealt with his “wardrobe malfunction.” His beautiful queen was played by Skylar Huckaby.

It was a great night of entertainment, that is suitable for the entire family. The only improvement I could see would be to put a microphone at the back of the stage. From lack of a mike, you couldn’t hear all of ‘Rico Vásquez’s solo in the opening scene as he announces news of the ball.

You can still catch Cinderella at OCP on Aug. 23 and 24. There will be a matinee at 2:37 p.m., Sunday and evening performances at 7:37 p.m. on both Sunday and Monday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. Call 882-9137 for reservations. The theater is located at 709 W. Division Ave.