presents

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s

SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 17, 2021 WESTBROOK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2 STUDY MATERIALS

THE SOURCE MATERIAL Page 3 Classic Fairytale Versions of Cinderella

Other Retellings THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN MUSICAL 5 History of Musical Productions Synopsis of Cinderella Enchanted Musical Version The Characters in Cinderella The Songs in Cinderella The Themes The Creators

LINKS 10 On the Web

ACTIVITIES 11 Discussion Questions after the Performance Play Mad Libs Write Your Own Story or Create Your Own Drawing Color This Picture

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THE SOURCE MATERIAL Classic Fairytale Versions

The story of Cinderella is derived from ancient folk tales whose many variants appear in worldwide culture beginning with the Greeks in 7 B.C. However, Western civilization is most familiar with the story of the abused and neglected step-sister whose dreams come true thanks to her fairy godmother through three literary versions of the tale: the Italian Cenerentola (1634) by Giambattista Basile, the French Cendrillon (1697) by Charles Perreault, and the German Aschenputtel (1812) by the Brothers Grimm. Of these three versions, the Perreault tale is closest to many of the modern adaptations, while the Brothers Grimm story retains some of the darker and more seriously troubling elements of the story.

Synopsis of Cendrillon by Charles Perreault A wealthy widower marries a proud and haughty woman as his second wife. She has two daughters, who are equally vain and selfish. The gentleman has a beautiful young daughter, a girl of unparalleled kindness and sweet temper. The man's daughter is forced into servitude, where she is made to work day and night doing menial chores. After the girl's chores are done for the day, she curls up near the fireplace in an effort to stay warm. She often arises covered in cinders, giving rise to the mocking nickname "Cinderella" by her step-sisters. Cinderella bears the abuse patiently and does not tell her father, who would have scolded her. One day, the Prince invites all the young ladies in the land to a royal ball, planning to choose a wife. The two step-sisters gleefully plan their wardrobes for the ball, and taunt Cinderella by telling her that maids are not invited to the ball. As the sisters depart to the ball, Cinderella cries in despair. Her Fairy Godmother magically appears and immediately begins to transform Cinderella from house servant to the young lady she was by birth, all in the effort to get Cinderella to the ball. She turns a pumpkin into a golden carriage, mice into horses, a rat into a coachman, and lizards into footmen. She then turns Cinderella's rags into a beautiful jeweled gown, complete with a delicate pair of glass slippers. The Godmother tells her to enjoy the ball, but warns her that she must return before midnight when the spells will be broken. At the ball, the entire court is entranced by Cinderella, especially the Prince. At this first ball, Cinderella remembers to leave before midnight. Back home, Cinderella graciously thanks her Fairy Godmother. She then greets the step-sisters, who had not recognized her earlier, and who talk of nothing but the beautiful girl at the ball.

4 Another ball is held the next evening, and Cinderella again attends with her Fairy Godmother's help. The Prince has become even more infatuated, and Cinderella in turn becomes so enchanted by him she loses track of time and leaves only at the final stroke of midnight, losing one of her glass slippers on the steps of the palace in her haste. The Prince chases her, but outside the palace, the guards see only a simple country girl leave. The Prince pockets the slipper and vows to find and marry the girl to whom it belongs. Meanwhile, Cinderella keeps the other slipper, which does not disappear when the spell is broken. The Prince tries the slipper on all the women in the kingdom. When the Prince arrives at Cinderella's home, the --sisters try in vain to win him over. Cinderella asks if she may try, but the step-sisters taunt her. Naturally, the slipper fits perfectly, and Cinderella produces the other slipper for good measure. Cinderella's step-family pleads for forgiveness, and Cinderella agrees. Cinderella married the Prince as her step-sisters are married to two handsome gentlemen of the royal court. Differences Among the Variants Unique to the Perreault version are the Fairy Godmother and the glass slipper In the Brothers Grimm version, the father is more of a presence and bears responsibility for his daughter’s abuse at the hands of his new family. The step-mother increases Cinderella’s chores to prevent her from going to the ball, but a flock of doves help her. There are also crueler, more graphic scenes, such as both step-sisters cutting off parts of their feet to make the slipper fit and the doves blinding the two step-sisters at Cinderella’s wedding. In the Disney and other versions, Cinderella’s father has died, which helps to explain why the step-mother can so blatantly abuse her. Some Other Popular Retellings of the Tale Cendrillon, an opera by French composer Jules Massenet (1899) Cenerentola, an opera by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1817) Cinderella, a ballet with a score by Sergei Prokofiev, originally choreographed by Rotislav Zacharov for ther Bolshoi Ballet (1945) Cinderella, a musical by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, presented in various versions from 1957-present on television and Broadway Into the Woods, a Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim using the Cinderella story as part of its witty, ironic look at famous fairytales and the myth of happily ever after. (1986) Cinderella, Walt Disney’s animated classic film (1950) Ever After, a movie directed by Andy Tennant (1998) Cinderella, a modern film directed by Kenneth Branagh (2015) Three Wishes for Cinderella, a Czech/East German cult film (1973) If the Shoe Fits, a French film about a modern Cinderella set in Paris. (1990)

5 THE rodgers & hammerstein

musical HISTORY OF MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote their original musical version for television in 1957; it starred Julie Andrews and Jon Cypher. A second remake in technicolor for television in 1965 starred Leslie Ann Warren and Stuart Damon with Celeste Holm as the Fairy Godmother. A third televised version in 1997 used a racially diverse cast that starred Brandy Norwood as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. The show also enjoyed stage success, beginning in 1958 at the London Coliseum, and subsequently in New York and abroad. In 2013 it received its first Broadway production in a version that featured a new “modernized” book by Douglas Carter Beane with several songs from

the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalog added. Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana starred with Victoria Clark as the Fairy Godmother. Keke Palmer took over for Osnes becoming the first African-American to play the role of Cinderella. The Enchanted Version, which MSMT is presenting, is adapted by Tom Briggs from the1997 teleplay version. It uses the Fairy Godmother as narrator and deus ex machina, but adheres quite closely to the fairytale plot and original Rodgers and Hammerstein score.

6 SYNOPSIS OF CINDERELLA, THE ENCHANTED MUSICAL VERSION As a kingdom celebrates its Prince's decision to give a ball for the express purpose of finding a bride, Cinderella's two stepsisters and their mother enter. This less-than-lovable trio is followed by what seems to be a large pile of packages, but in fact is Cinderella carrying the ladies' ball gowns from a successful shopping spree.

Cinderella will have the formidable job of making the Stepmother and Stepsisters beautiful for the ball -- in addition to all her other tasks as household drudge, including cooking, sewing, cleaning, and washing. Although she won't be allowed to go to the ball herself, Cinderella is happy for the others. She always tries to be cheerful and never complains. Sometimes, however, she retreats to her "own little corner" and dreams of a more exciting life. The Queen and King are not in complete agreement about the Prince's ball. The King doesn't want to have it at all, since it will be a great deal of trouble, a large expense, and why would a red-blooded boy want to get married in the first place? But the Queen has her heart set on it, and neither the King nor the Prince (who dreads the whole idea) can bear to disappoint her. The preparations continue. On the night of the ball, Cinderella helps her Stepmother and Stepsisters get ready. After they leave, she sits alone in her corner and imagines what it might be like at the ball. She's not alone for long, however, for her Godmother appears at the window. Despite this lady's sensible looks and practical manner, she is no ordinary godmother, though Cinderella doesn't suspect this. With help from the Godmother's "fol-de-rol" and "fiddley dee," Cinderella is magically transformed for the ball. Her carriage, changed from a pumpkin, drawn by horses that were mice a moment before, whisks her to the palace. The ball is the ball that everyone remembers from their storybooks: Cinderella is the most beautiful of Princesses; she captivates everyone and she and the Prince fall in love. But she must flee at midnight before her carriage changes back into a pumpkin. Before she escapes, Cinderella loses her slipper, which the Prince retrieves. It is his only clue to finding her again, and he mounts a search for the foot that fits the slipper. All efforts are in vain, however. Even at the Stepmother's house, the Godmother's efforts to intervene for Cinderella are fruitless for Cinderella is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, the Prince has been trying to convince his mother (and himself) that he is not in love with a dream, but with a real girl, even if she has disappeared. When he is told that no one can be found whose foot fits the slipper, he is shattered. In anger he tosses the slipper into the bushes. Cinderella, who herself can hardly believe her memories of the ball, has returned to the palace garden, hoping to recapture the magic of the night before, if only in her mind. The Prince stops her, but hardly recognizes the vision of loveliness he danced with underneath Cinderella's sooty clothes and dirty face. She is embarrassed to be seen this way and tries to leave. For a moment it looks as if the story will end unhappily as she walks away, but at the last moment after the Godmother retrieves the slipper and places it next to him, the Prince thinks to try the slipper on Cinderella’s foot. And, of course, the slipper fits. Almost immediately the Royal Wedding begins. As the curtain falls on the happy couple, the Godmother reminds everyone that "Impossible things are happening every day."

7 THE CHARACTERS Cinderella, a beautiful orphan girl, who since her parents’ deaths, now lives with her step-mother and two step-sisters who mistreat her and treat her a scullery maid. Fairy Godmother, a magical incarnation of our wish fulfillment, who sometimes acts as narrator and commentator on the action. Stepmother, Cinderella’s step-mother, a greedy, vain widow, who married Cinderella’s father for his money, which she now lavishes on her own two daughters while verbally and physically abusing her step-daughter, Cinderella. Grace, one of the step-sisters, overweight, foolish, and vain. Joy, the second step-sister, constantly arguing and vying with Grace for attention. Prince Christopher, a handsome, idealistic young man who is determined to marry for love. King & Queen, Prince Christopher’s parents. Lionel, the Prince’s loyal attendant. The Herald, the courtier who proclaims the news Lords and Ladies of the Kingdom, Villagers

8 THE SONGS Overture Orchestra The Sweetest Sounds Cinderella The Prince Is Giving A Ball Herald & Company In My Own Little Corner Cinderella Boys & Girls Like You and Me King & Queen Fol-De-Ral and Fiddle-Dee-Dee Fairy Godmother Impossible/It’s Possible Fairy Godmother, Cinderella Gavotte Prince & Company Loneliness of Evening Prince Cinderella Waltz Prince, Cinderella Ten Minutes Ago Prince, Cinderella Stepsisters’ Lament Joy, Grace Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful? Prince, Cinderella When You’re Driving Through the Moonlight Cinderellla, Stepmother, Sisters A Lovely Night Cinderellla, Stepmother, Sisters The Search Prince & Company There Is Music In You Fairy Godmother Finale -The Wedding Cinderella, Prince &

Company THE THEMES Rodgers and Hammerstein tell a timeless tale of true love that is based on mutual attraction, kindness, caring, and respect. Despite the abuse of her unscrupulous relatives, Cinderella is not embittered, and she prevails through forgiveness and the inner resilience to hold fast to her dreams. Empowered by her Fairy Godmother, who symbolizes the determination to make dreams come true and the kindness and goodness in the world, and emboldened by her love for the Prince, she finds the courage to be herself and gently stand fast for the future she desires. As in so many fairytales, true love proves the transformative force that brings happiness to all it touches.

9 THE CREATORS

The creative duo of Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) is synonymous with the Broadway musical. As composer and lyricist respectively, they reigned supreme for more than three decades of the 20th century. They created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s, initiating what is considered the "golden age" of musical theatre. They changed the landscape of the musical, focusing on book as well as music and lyrics, often introducing subjects controversial for the period and creating some of the most memorable scores in the history of the genre. Among their biggest hits are Oklahoma, South Pacific, Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music, Cinderella, and Flower Drum Song. Their work has received 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, and 2 Pulitzer Prizes.

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LINKS

If you want to learn more about this fairytale in its various story versions and other theatrical forms, here is a list of reading and internet resources you can check out:

ON THE WEB

About the Original Fairytale http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/perrault06.html Charles Perreault version https://germanstories.vcu.edu/grimm/cinder.html the Brothers Grimm version About Robin & Clark Musicals www.robinandclarkmusicals.com A complete list of all their works with summaries, photographs, song lists, audio, and video clips, and comments from the press https://robinandclarkmusicals.com/cinderella/I Short You Tube video and audio clips of Cinderella from Drury Lane Evergreen Park in the 1990s Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne-BSIy0kKI The 1950 Disney animated film on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojp76Nnldg0 The full-length Rodgers and Hammerstein stage production https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TuA9vAy6GA Zurich Opera House production of the Prokofiev ballet 2013

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ACTIVITIES Tell the Performers What You Think

THE SHOW

1. How is the experience of watching the musical version of this story different from the experience of reading it?

2. When you read the story, you have to use the writer’s words to imagine the people

and places being described. In the musical, how does the production help you imagine these things?

3. What’s different in the story of Cinderella in this musical version?

4. What is your favorite scene or song?

THE THEMES

5. Why do the step-mother and step-sisters want to treat Cinderella so cruelly?

6. Why does Cinderella at first not rebel against their harsh treatment of her?

7. What makes her finally have the courage to claim her right to try the slipper on?

8. Are there such people as Fairy Godmothers? And if not literally, what might she represent?

9. Unlike some versions, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical does not punish the

step-mother and step-sisters at the end. Why do you think Cinderella forgives them?

10. What are some of the lessons you can take away from this story?

11. Fairytales and this musical end with “happily ever after.” Do you think Cinderella

and the Prince will be happy ever after? Why or why not?

12. And if so, what is this true happiness?

12 LET’S PLAY MAD LIBS The leader asks the group to call out specific kinds of words – nouns (names of people, places,things), adjectives (descriptive words), verbs (action words), adverbs (words that tell us how, when or why), exclamation (short emotional expression). The leader fills in the blanks in the story with these new words and then reads it back to the group. The results are usually very funny! Enjoy the game! CONCLUSION TO CHARLES PERREAULT’S CINDERELLA

The next day the two _________(plural noun) were at the ball, and so was Cinderella, but dressed even more ______________(adverb) than before. The king's son was always by her, and never ceased his compliments and kind speeches to her. All this was so far from being tiresome to her, and, indeed, she quite forgot what her godmother had told her. She thought that it was no later than eleven when she counted the clock striking twelve. She jumped up and fled, as nimble as a _______(noun). The prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind one of her ________________(noun), which the prince picked up most carefully. She reached home, but quite out of breath, and in her nasty old clothes, having nothing left of all her finery but one of the little slippers, the mate to the one that she had dropped.

The guards at the palace gate were asked if they had not seen a ____________ (noun) go out. They replied that they had seen nobody leave but a young girl, very shabbily dressed, and who had more the air of a poor country wench than a gentlewoman.

When the two sisters returned from the ball Cinderella asked them if they had been well entertained, and if the fine lady had been there. They told her, yes, but that she _________ (verb) away immediately when it struck twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass slippers, the prettiest in the world, which the king's son had picked up; that he had done nothing but look at her all the time at the ball, and that most certainly he was very much in love with the __________ (adjective) person who owned the glass slipper.

What they said was very true; for a few days later, the king's son had it proclaimed, by sound of _________ (noun), that he would marry her whose foot this slipper would just fit. They began to try it on the princesses, then the duchesses and all the court, but in vain; it was brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could to force their foot into the slipper, but they did not succeed.

Cinderella, who saw all this, and knew that it was her slipper, said to them, laughing, "Let me see if it will not fit me."

Her sisters burst out laughing, and began to banter with her. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper looked earnestly at Cinderella, and, finding her very __________ (adjective), said that it was only just that she should try as well, and that he had orders to let everyone try.

He had Cinderella sit down, and, putting the slipper to her foot, he found that it went on very easily, fitting her as if it had been made of ________(noun). Her two sisters were greatly astonished, but then even more so, when Cinderella pulled out of her pocket the other slipper, and put it on her other foot. Then in came her godmother and touched her __________ (noun) to Cinderella's clothes, making them richer and more_____________ (adjective) than any of those she had worn before.

And now her two sisters found her to be that fine, ____________ (adjective) lady whom they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon for all the ill treatment they had made her undergo. Cinderella took them up, and, as she __________ (verb) them, said that she forgave them with all her heart, and wanted them always to love her.

13 LET’S DRAW AND WRITE

1. On a separate sheet of paper, write your own fairytale. Try to include as many of these elements are you can: magical skills, fantasy characters, spells and curses, good and wicked deeds, journeys, self-discovery, and a moral at the end of the tale. You can use traditional lines like “Once upon a time” and “They lived happily ever after” or you can change some of these the way Marc and Curt do in their musical versions.

2. Draw a picture of Cinderella in her ball gown. You may design the dress any way you

imagine it.

3. Cinderella goes to the ball in a handsome coach made from a pumpkin. Find some pictures of beautiful coaches that people used to travel in years ago and then draw your own picture of Cinderella’s magical coach.

4. Color this drawing from Cinderella, which you will find at the back of this booklet. You can make it as fantastical as you like.

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