[Cinderelli]

I first joined Mdn to ask a specific question about the character, but here's a more general one.
Do any of you have any tips on playing Cinderella?

If you were sat in a theater eagerly awaiting the Prologue of act one, what would you like to see from her and what would irritate you?
OR...
If you've played her before, did you make any conscious decisions that the audience reacted to positively?

It'd be interesting to hear what you all think... You'll no doubt end up watching the product of your help (or absence thereof) on Youtube in a few weeks!

[Cinderelli]

Absence thereof. Hmm... I suppose the Into the Woods forum is a bit dead at the moment.

[Please,Hello]

Sondheim forum is always slow.

Things I like from Cinderrella:

Shes not too funny so she keeps the show balanced

A cinderella thats not too dramatic.


Things I loath

She has no facial expression with everyone that plays her

[Cinderelli]

Thanks, I'll keep all that in mind for the run-through tomorrow

[Charactress]

I'm currently playing Cinderella in R&H's Cinderella. =)

I haven't done a lot of character research on this show, but I'll give it a try.

Have you ever seen the Bernadette Peters DVD of the show? I love it a lot, and I thought the Cinderella in that version did an excellent balance of funny and serious.

Her falling down and tripping stuff is funny, but it's only because at all other times, she's graceful and refined.

So, I like Cinderella to be funny without being goofy, if you understand what I mean.

I like "I'll trade you this bean for your shoe."

*Cinderella stops and turns.*

"...magic bean?"

The way she does it on the Bernadette Peters DVD is just hilarious because she's so clueless at that moment.

Also, "mother said be good, father said be nice, that was always their advice" while twisting the stepsister's hair is funny while Cinderella is still refined and calm.

Anyway, don't play her whiny. Cinderella is a strong character who can emotionally deal with abuse from her step-mother and step-sisters, and then is strong enough to break up with the prince when he cheats on her. She's a sympathetic character, not a pitiable character.

Cinderella is also the sort of motherly figure to Little Red during No One is Alone. This is another place where Cinderella should be a strong character.

Moving on...

Recognize where to add comedy, but keep it refined and graceful. Don't try to make people laugh. Play Cinderella sincerely and let the funny bits emerge by themselves. Don't make her a goofy character.