This past Winterim, the Educational Theatre Collaborative (ETC) put on Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s, Cinderella, on Jan. 22 – 26, in the Silver Cultural Arts Center here at Plymouth State College. An overwhelming cast coupled with an awesomely constructed set made an evening of unforgettable magic.
Cinderella, played by Lauren Keefe, sang and danced into the audience’s hearts and minds. While Keefe portrayed Cinderella’s troubled life, the audience grew sad along with her, and brightened when she found moments of happiness. The song, In My Own Little Corner, let the viewers see her longing for a world beyond what her stepmother would allow. Though she sang of happy dreams, an undertone of sadness could be felt through Keefe’s powerful voice.
Playing alongside Keefe, Braden Miles portrayed a proud but loving prince. He showed the audience the loving son, the devoted prince, and the boy, longing for his true love. Through his moving performance of, Loneliness of Evening, he showed his deep sadness of being alone.
The two stepsisters, Portia, played by Tara Cloutier, and Joy, played by Camille Lively, stole the show with their stellar performances. They made the viewers laugh and gawk at their naïve antics while pursuing the eligible prince. The sisters ordered Cinderella until her head spun and they tripped over their own stupidity when their chance came to impress the prince.
To accompany the performances, an impressively built set got its own applause. With two moving wagons and an impressive carriage scene, it’s no wonder the audience gave the behind-the-scenes crew their dues.
The mouse to horse projections was a wonderful lead into the carriage scene that brought the magic of Cinderella to it’s fullest. As the scene opened the horses stood poised, the carriage sparkled and Cinderella glowed with realized dreams