I grew up in the ’70s. There were no new DVD releases every week. If we wanted to see a movie, you went to the movie theater or the drive-in. In a house with three brothers, “Cinderella” was the last movie they would ever pick. However, I did have the book and like every other little girl, I knew the story of the mean stepsisters, the grand ball where Cinderella and Prince Charming fall in love and the search to find the foot (and the girl) that fits the glass slipper.
With two boys of my own, and in a time where we could purchase any movie we wanted, Disney at our house was “The Jungle Book,” “The Fox and the Hound,” “The AristoCats” and “The Lion King.” Still, no “Cinderella.”
To my delight, I was invited to Thursday’s final dress rehearsal of MTVarts production of “Cinderella.” From the moment I walked into the Memorial Theater I was mesmerized. The back of the stage was lit up with thousands of little lights that looked like stars in the night. After the house lights dimmed and I found a seat close to the stage, from the first note resonating from the orchestra pit, I was 5-years-old again and hanging on every word.
Brianna Barnes, 16, who plays Cinderella, is perfect in every way. From her natural beauty and flawless vocals to her sweet, genuine giggle you hear when she plays with her cat and talks to the mice, there is nothing that audiences will not love about her.
