Reimagined fairy tale takes Chippewa Valley stage

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Classic, yet modern. Traditional, yet new.

Such are the terms used by cast and crew to describe “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” the latest musical set to take the Chippewa Valley High School stage.

An adaptation of an adaptation of an adaptation, Chippewa Valley High School Musical Productions is taking on a show with a long lineage. The legendary creative duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II first adapted the classic fairy tale in 1957 for a television production. Playwright Douglas Carter Beane then adapted the Rodgers and Hammerstein show for a 2013 Broadway production, which ran from 2013 to 2015 and had two U.S. tours in 2014 and 2016.

Chippewa Valley producers found plenty of reasons to go with the 2013 version of “Cinderella.” By picking a show built upon Rodgers and Hammerstein’s foundation, students get hands-on experience with the history and styles of the 1920s to 1960s “golden age” of American musical theater.

“This was the beginning of musical theater coming out of opera, having a little more classical or jazz sound,” said Olivia Ferguson, the vocal coach at Chippewa Valley. “You still had belting in there, but this is more of the origins of musical theater. It is important that students get the history of that because sometimes all they know is what has been done in the last couple of decades. You’re going to get a chance to use a classical vocal tone. There’s going to be some richer harmonies (and) more flush and beautiful orchestral textures.”

However, it is in the changes Beane made to the story and production that made his version of “Cinderella” stand out. New roles and storylines — such as the story of Jean-Michel, a revolutionary who seeks to rectify the injustice of the 19th century French-inspired kingdom — combine with updates made to classic characters, like turning Prince Christopher (Prince Charming, as he’s historically known, and Topher, as he’s known in Beane’s adaptation) into a knight adept at slaying all manner of fantastic beasts, and adding a more sympathetic stepsister in the life of the title character.

“This is not your regular Cinderella,” said senior Alina Bucanovic, who plays the fairy godmother. “I think this is more fun and especially as an audience member, I feel like I would be at the edge of my seat the whole entire time.”

Senior Andrew Curcuru, one of the actors playing Prince Christopher, found one of the most interesting parts of the show to be the prince’s number, “Me, Who Am I?”

“It is where Prince Topher is trying to find himself,” Curcuru said. “He’s about to become king but he does not feel quite prepared. He’s going from what he feels like is this little boy, he doesn’t know what to do stepping into this big place as the king of a palace and is trying to find himself at that moment.”

Ferguson hinted at changes to the role of the fairy godmother but refused to spoil anything beyond the character having a solo number.

Bucanovic maintained the silence around the character, but revealed the godmother’s classic support for Cinderella remains within this adaptation.

“During ‘Impossible,’ there’s some dialogue in that song where Cinderella is doubting herself and I tell her, ‘No, you can change it, you can make it all happen,’” Bucanovic said. “I feel like that is who my character is; first, you have to believe in yourself in order for all these extra charms to come in.”

The student actors found the show’s choreography to be a favorite element with Curcuru especially interested in ballroom dancing. Bucanovic played a hand in choreographing a gavotte dance when Cinderella and Topher have their first fateful encounter.

Between the onstage performances, the role of students in so much of the production and the inclusion of Broadway-style rented set, Ferguson believes “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” showcases all of the talent Chippewa Valley’s theater has to offer.

“The story is hopeful, but it is also hope-giving to see high school students who have worked really hard and committed to something work on stage telling a story,” Ferguson said. “I have been really encouraged so far by the work that they’ve done. We’ve been able to dig in and really go for some advanced concepts. That gives me hope about what is going to happen in society and the future of our profession and the art because they are committed to doing this. I hope that people leave with hope for a bright future.”

Chippewa Valley High School’s production of “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” is directed by Braeden Haggarty. Evening shows will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, Saturday, Nov. 9, Thursday, Nov. 14, Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. Matinee performances will take place on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. A 4 p.m. senior citizens preview will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7. Visit cvhsmusicals.org to purchase tickets or call (586) 322-7290 for senior preview ticket details.