Category Archives: Events

The Company of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(Courtesy Carol Rosegg)

The touring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella opened last night at the DPAC in Durham. It is only in town through this Sunday and based on the performance last night I highly recommend you see this wonderful show while it is in town. Cinderella started out as a made for TV musical back in 1957 and has been made over several times over the years, but this most recent version breathes new life into the story and brings it into the 21st century with empowering women and an inspiring message that will motivate you to fight for your dreams.

Brian Liebson, Leslie Jackson and Tatyana Lubov in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(Courtesy Carol Rosegg)

The story of Cinderella in this production presents characters that have the power to take charge of their lives and go after what they want. Cinderella may be a peasant girl mistreated by her stepmother and sisters, but in this reimagined version she has a strength and determination about her. With a little help from her fairy godmother she realizes that nothing is impossible and she has the ability within in herself to fight for her dreams and that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.

Likewise, while this is still a fairytale with romance, the Prince is not there to save Cinderella. In fact he has his own struggles trying to find his confidence to be a fair and just ruler of his kingdom. Cinderella is the one who calls on the Prince to listen to the concerns of his people gives him the push he needs to find his courage to rule. In this story, Cinderella does not lose her glass slipper. She purposely gives it to the Prince. She is taking charge of her story and controlling the narrative. In process Cinderella and the Prince both find their inner strength make choices to change their lives that bring them together and achieve their goals together.

The Company of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(Courtesy Carol Rosegg)

This production is top notch in every way and probably one of the most impressive shows I have had the pleasure of seeing at DPAC this year. The cast is extremely talented and the sets are simply stunning, transforming that stage into scenes from the magical woodlands, to the regal backdrop of the castle and ballroom in a blink of an eye. The use of colors and lighting make every detail stand out and draws you into the scene. The Technicolor costumes of the ballroom gowns during the dancing scenes make the ensemble pop on stage. The costumes are so beautiful it is almost easy to become distracted and miss just how skilled and graceful the dancing is of the cast.

As mentioned above, the cast in this production is very strong. Tatyana Lubov is lovely as Cinderella and brings a confidence to the character that is refreshing. Hayden Stanes is equally impressive as the handsome but naïve Prince Topher. When they are on stage together there is great chemistry and their duets during the numbers “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” are magical and touching.

Tatyana Lubov and Hayden Stones in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(Courtesy Carol Rosegg)

Two other standout performances are delivered by Leslie Jackson. She is fantastic as the Fairy Godmother as is Vincent Davis Lord Pinkleton they are both accomplished opera singers and their vocals steal the show whenever they are on stage. Rounding out the leads is Sarah Primmer as the stepmother Madame, Mimi Robinson as stepsister Gabrielle and Joanna Johnson as stepsister Charlotte. You’ll notice these characters are more likeable than in the original version. Less evil and more comical. Joanna Johnson is particularly hysterical and has some great one liners that had the audience roaring with laughter.

I can’t forget to mention how  much the consumes of Tony  Award Winning costume designer William Ivey Long contribute to the show. Long’s work creates the magic in the show. You will be blown away by some of the costume transformations that occur on stage right in front of your eyes instantly transforming the rag-clad beggar woman into a stunning Fairy Godmother and Cinderella from her peasant garb into a  sparkling white gown and tiara. I saw it with my own eyes and I still don’t know how they did it. It’s simply amazing to see!

Cinderella is at the DPAC for a limited engagement playing now through this Sunday. There are still great seats available for the 8pm New Year’s Eve Show. For tickets visit the DPAC website here.

There are numerous Triangle restaurants and bars holding special New Year’s Eve dinners and celebrations. At this point you should probably have already made your reservations, but just in case here is a great list of restaurants that may be still taking reservations by Andrea Weigl at the News & Observer. In addition to eating and drinking here are the three local events that top my list for ringing in the new year!

Raleigh First Night
Celebrating its twenty-sixth year, First Night Raleigh is North Carolina’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration. Tens of thousands of people flock to downtown Raleigh for the family-friendly community celebration of art, presented by Artsplosure. The festivities will run from 2pm until midnight. With over 100 performances and activities in nearly 35 venues spread across downtown Raleigh. And of course the Acorn Drop and fireworks will cap off the event at midnight. All day admission passes are $10 in advance. For a complete schedule or more information, or to purchase an admission pass online, visit http://www.firstnightraleigh.com/

Chinese Lantern Festival & New Year’s Eve Fireworks
The N.C. Chinese Lantern Festival and Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary will light up the night with a New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Kicking off at 9:30 p.m. the fireworks will be launched over Symphony Lake. The fireworks display is included in the price of admission for the lantern festival. Tickets can be purchased through etix.com or Booth Amphitheatre Box Office. The Lantern Festival runs through January 15th with hours of 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fireworks will only be a part of the event on New Year’s Eve. http://boothamphitheatre.com/nc-chinese-lantern-festival-cary

Cinderella at DPAC
The touring production at Cinderella will be at the DPAC this weekend including an 8pm show on New Year’s Eve. You can catch the show and still go out afterwards in downtown Durham and toast the New Year. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/rodger-hammersteins-cinderella

Leslie Jackson and Tatyana Lubov in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(photo by Carol Rosegg)

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love: the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball as well as some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover the beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience.

The Company of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
(photo by Carol Rosegg)

Joining the production for this tour is Caity Skalski (top left in picture above), a recent graduate from North Carolina’s own Elon University. I caught up with Caity last week to ask here what it was like to be a part of the production of this classic tale.

Caity Skalski

Caity is a native of Pittsburgh but came to North Carolina to attend Elon University’s Music Theater Program. She landed a part in the Cinderella Production through a Capstone Project at the University that brings casting directors to campus. This is her first professional stage gig but she always knew she wanted to be in theater. “I knew at and early age that I loved to sing” explains Caity. “When I was just 5 or 6 years old I loved to sing songs to entertain my grandfather and family.”

Caity serves the production in several ways. In the show she is both a puppeteer for the woodland creatures (playing the fox) and is part of the female ensemble. She is also an understudy for the roles Gabrielle and Charlotte. “One of my favorite parts of the show is seeing the little girls in Cinderella dresses and getting to sing to them” she said.

Caity Recently had the chance to sit in the audience and take in the full show (something the cast takes turns doing on the road). Taking it in start to finish was an emotional process. “It made me cry…it was so beautiful”. “This show is the classic tale that if you have a dream and the desire that anything is possible,” she said.

Speaking of dreams I asked Caity if she had any advice for those trying to break into theater. “It’s important to remain true to who you are. At this level everyone around you is talented and very good at what they do. What the casting directors are looking for is that glimpse of you, what you bring to the stage. Be true to that and let them see you through the part” she said. Sound advice from this recent Elon grad who is well on her way to achieving her dreams.

CINDERELLA opens at DPAC on December 30 and runs through January 1. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/rodger-hammersteins-cinderella