5 Surprising Details About Cinderella Manila

July 30, 2008 | By TheBachelorGirl In Kiddie Korner |

A Dark Beginning Thanks to Director Bobby Garcia and Associate Director Chari Arespacochaga, I was able to watch the preview of Cinderella on 29 July 2008 at 3pm at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The very first scene surprised me because it was basically grim, with a rickety staircase upon which Lea “Cinderella” Salonga carefully made her way down, while the silhouette of her stepmother loomed menacingly at the top. But the enveloping darkness only served to highlight the bright crystal clear voice of the Tony and Olivier award winning actress, which, was in even finer “musical theatre” form than in the video above.

Costume Change from Riches to Rags As Lea “Cinderella” Salonga fled from the pursuing prince, her costume changed in stages that was almost animation in style.

The Prince Is Actually Charming Peter Saide imbued his Prince Christopher with so much passion for Ciinderella that his over the top characterization became quite charming (not yet evident here in this June 2008 press con video).

Last Song Syndrome (LSS) With the variations of the different musical numbers, one will likely stick to your head that you’ll end up humming or singing after the musical. My LSS was the duet Ten Minutes Ago with the line “And you’ll never come down to earth again,” running like a broken record in my head.

A Personal Note from Julie Andrews Make sure to buy the reasonably priced Cinderella Manila Php 200 program, because it includes a personal note from the very first female actor who played the Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella — Dame Julie Andrews

Wait a minute, I should buy the Cinderella CD for Php 550 as well. Oh well, I’m watching again on Sunday 03 August 2008, so I’ll buy it then. It will be a totally different experience because we’ll be sitting all the way up in Balcony II instead of Orchestra Center. It should prove interesting.

Photo Courtesy of Girlie Rodis

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1 Comment so far

  1. sushi on August 10th, 2008

    watched it last night too. as always, you were awesome. fairy godmother rocked and the set was amazing :) the standing ovation in the end was well deserved :)

    but the prince didn’t charm me at all.

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