`Cinderella' musical spins fantastic tale for young-at-heart
By Joanne Milani
Published: 11/29/00


TAMPA - Grab a child - preferably one with stars in her eyes and
a brand-new party dress - and get to ``Cinderella,'' the musical
at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center through Sunday. Then
spend the next two hours pretending to be a child yourself.

That will be easy, considering that this lavish production is
decked out in eggplant purple and pumpkin orange.

The ugly stepmother and stepsisters have cartoonlike costumes
resembling the teacups in ``Beauty and the Beast.''

Add smoke, thunder, flashing lights and puppeteers, and what you
get is the fun and whimsy of theatrical fantasy.

But this fantasy is kindergarten kitsch with a twist, folks.

Heading up a multiethnic cast is Catwoman herself, Eartha Kitt.
As the fairy godmother, she hasn't lost her claws and feline
snarl. She's put them to good use as a magical diva with an
attitude.

Former teen queen Deborah Gibson is the properly sweet heroine,
although her singing has a hip pop resonance that Julie Andrews
wouldn't recognize.

Paolo Montalban plays the prince who doesn't want to hold a ball
to meet a prospective bride.

But adults will get the most yuks from the splendid, over-the-
top performance of Everett Quinton, the onetime star of New
York's Ridiculous Theatrical Company. He portrays the carrot-
topped stepmom, and nearly steals the show.

The real star here, however, is the score. Rodgers and
Hammerstein composed ``Cinderella'' for a 1957 television
special, and their magic still holds true and strong. The cheery
optimism is perfect for this fairy tale.

The prince and Cinderella's love songs, ``The Sweetest Sounds''
and ``Do I Love You Because You Are Beautiful,'' still have the
power to melt your heart.

``Cinderella'' runs through Sunday; today, Thursday and Sunday
at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees
Saturday and Sunday; $22.50, $27.50, $29.50, $34.50, $44.50,
$49.50, $54.50, $59.50 and $64.50.

"Cinderella"
11/28/00 - 12/3/00
Tues - Thurs at 7:30 p.m.; Fri at 8 p.m.; Sat at 2 & 8 p.m. and
Sun at 2 & 7:30
$22.50, $27.50, $29.50, $34.50, $44.50, $49.50, $54.50, $59.50,
and $64.50

Starring:
Eartha Kitt and Deborah Gibson

Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
1010 WC MacInnes Place N Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 229-7827