CHESTERTOWN — Already established on Broadway and film with their hugely successful musicals “Oklahoma” (1943, film in 1955), “Carousel” (1945, film in 1956), “South Pacific” (1949) and “The King and I” (1951), Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II went on to write a musical specifically for television. The result was “Cinderella” in 1957 starring Julie Andrews.
It was revived again for television in 1965 with Leslie Ann Warren in the title role, and it made it to television a third time in 1997 starring Whitney Houston and Brandy.
Eventually, there was a stage adaptation, and though it never made it to Broadway in its original form, it was frequently produced regionally and internationally.
In 2013, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” finally made it to Broadway. However, this production featured a rewritten libretto by Douglas Carter Beane and it added songs that Rodgers and Hammerstein had used in the show’s earliest stages.
Beane’s version also changed some aspects of the story, while adding characters to make the story more robust.
The production was nominated for several Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle awards, winning several along the way.
The Garfield Center for the Arts in Chestertown is producing the 2013 adapted version of “Cinderella.”
Directed by Adrienne Wrona, the production is made possible with the generous support of sponsors Chesapeake Bank and Trust and Kent School.
In the role of Ella (Cinderella) and Topher (the Prince) are Maya McGrory and JW Ruth. Each has individually appeared on the Garfield stage in past productions that include “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Lucky Stiff” and “The Play That Goes Wrong.”
Additionally, Ruth was the director for the GCA production of “Happy Birthday, Wanda June” and will direct the GCA’s 2026 opener “Misery,” while McGrory was the fight and fall choreographer for “Noises Off” earlier this year.
Other cast members include Ian Stotts as Sebastian; Joshua Hansen as Lord Pinkerton; Stephanie Chambers as Marie; Bob Walton as Jean-Michel; Sharon Herz as Madam; KT Pagano as Gabrielle; SR Mohen as Charlotte; Carley Mourlas as the Fox and the Footman; and Olivia Coppage as the Raccoon and the Driver.
The ensemble includes Everett Brownley, Heather Campbell, Duan Connelly, Kathleen Cummings, Reese Ensor, Kelly Galan, Quin Hu, Oliver Lahoda, Russell Laing, Jocelyn Matera, Samuel Mora, Cory Palmer, Cassi Pinder, Eliza Pinder, Riley Rosati, Grace Sutherland, Suzanne Thuecks and Kaylee Urrutia.
The production staff includes JW Ruth as music director; Suzanne Thuecks as choreographer, with additional choreography by Kathleen Cummings; Jordan Dixon as stage manager; Michael Casey as the rehearsal accompanist; Heather Robuck as costume designer; and Nic Carter as lighting designer.
Also, Dominic Delcoco as assistant stage manager; Kathleen Cummings as dance captain; Ace Loewenstein as sound operator, Butch Clark as technical director and scenic builder; and Mark Pagano as dance lift coach.
Scenic design is by Cory Palmer and Adrienne Wrona.
Wrona is also the designer of the set and in charge of the production’s hair and makeup.
Palmer is the master of puppets; properties are by Christopher Neiman, Palmer and Wrona; Marlo Coppage is the properties manager; and costume assistants are Heather Campbell, Connie Fallon and Steffi Ricketts.
The producers are Nic Carter, Steven Arnold and the Garfield Center for the Arts.
Marketing, posters and playbill are by Francoise Sullivan.
“Cinderella” opens Friday, Dec. 5 and runs weekends through Dec. 21.
Because this is a family friendly musical, Friday and Saturday evening performances start at 7 o’clock instead of the usual 8 o’clock start.
Sunday matinees retain the 2 p.m. start time.
Garfield Center for the Arts is located at 210 High St. in downtown Chestertown.
Tickets can be purchased anytime online at www.eventbrite.com/e/1853102382109, or by calling the box office at 410-810-2060 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
