This past weekend, Rowan’s Theatre Department presented its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic “Cinderella” in Pfleeger Concert Hall, located in Wilson Hall.

The musical was originally written for television in 1957, starring Julie Andrews in the title role, and a revised stage version premiered on Broadway in 2013. The production was directed by Dr. Christopher Roche, an associate professor and the head of the musical theatre track at Rowan.  

The story is an iconic one; Cinderella is forced to be a servant by her mean stepmother and stepsisters, and dreams of a better life. With her fairy godmother’s help, she is transformed into a beautiful princess and is able to attend the ball, where she meets the prince of the kingdom and falls in love. Having to leave at midnight, she runs away but leaves her glass slipper behind, which the prince uses to find her, and they live happily ever after.

“Growing up, I loved everything Disney and used to think that I was Cinderella, and I was convinced I was. So this is a dream come true for me,” said Hanna Shein, a junior vocal performance and music education major, who played the role of Cinderella.

A major aspect of this show is the relationship between the two main love interests. The actors playing them have to build chemistry to convey their characters falling in love at first sight, as well as the desire they feel in the subsequent moments they have together.

“Just really getting to know who Hanna is … and just be super friendly and build an actual friendship. So you’re really just having fun with a friend on stage. And that’s what makes the chemistry look the most alive,” said Noah Colon, who played the role of Prince Christopher.

One of the standouts was the choreography, which was primarily made up of waltzing. It was performed in a slow, graceful, and beautiful manner, like a swan dancing with its mate. 

“Typically with musical theater, you’re met with a lot of jazz, tap, and things like that. But with Cinderella, it’s very heavy waltz and classical, and it’s kind of going back to the very first musical theater [shows] versus what we’re met with [in] modern theater,” said Chloe Sunshine, a freshman theater major with a musical theater concentration and dance minor who was a member of the ensemble.

A notable part of the production was that there were two Cinderellas and two princes cast. Each night, one pair would play the leads, and the other would be ensemble members, alternating roles throughout the run.

“It’s definitely a completely different attitude. The prince is more regal, and there’s certainly more involvement vocally and in different dancing. So for me, it was a lot, but I think it was a good learning curve, and it improved me as an actor,” said Dante DiMaio, a sophomore vocal music education major who also played the role of Prince Christopher. “It doesn’t matter how big or small your role is; you can still have an impact on the show just by little expressions that you make on stage.” 

Some specific performances included the actresses portraying Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, and the stepfamily. 

“I think a really important part is giving humanity to your character and not just labeling them as one thing, like mean. All of our characters have depth and real human emotions,” said Grace Raymond, a senior theater arts major who played the role of the stepsister Portia.

Despite having multiple variations over the years, the core story of Cinderella has stood the test of time, according to freshman theatre major Chloe Sunshine.

“There’s something mystical about it that really draws an audience in and can really just keep somebody’s attention,” said Sunshine.

Gianni Lewis, a sophomore theatre arts major who played the role of the stepmother, felt nostalgic over the role.

“So when I think of Cinderella, I think of little tiny me, dressed up, like in my little tiara,” said Lewis.

The final Mainstage event of the season is a faculty and student choreography showcase, which will take place at Tohill Theater in Bunce Hall from April 24 to 26.