Baltimore Center Stage: Cinderella

 Okay, this is a little dicey, because, technically, the show is in previews.  Today's matinee was just the second performance in front of a live audience, and opening night is two additional performances away.  I have attended shows in previews before.  I have never attended a show in previews were the director came out and made a huge big deal about the fact that we were experiencing a preview.  Based on what happens today, tweaks will very likely occur.  And this is a good thing; however, I'm not sure that mere tweaks will be enough.

To set the stage, this engagement of the musical is produced by Artscentric which is an African American company run by one of the most talented all around actors, singers, performers I am familiar with in the DMV, Kevin S. McAllister.  The mission of Artscentric is to be a Color Conscious artistic force for reclaiming the musical theatre cannon for black performers.  As a result this version of Cinderella is set in a kingdom in Africa.  The costumes were gorgeous and colorful a feast for the eyes! the sets were the most beautiful I've ever seen at BCS.  The dancing was exuberant and exciting.  Members of the ensemble were clearly enjoying themselves. Standouts in the cast included Both Cinderella (Jaiden Nuako) and the Prince Christopher (Nick Moore).  Both were fresh and endearing and both had beautiful voices.  It's unfortunate that the pit orchestra made it difficult for them to hear one another during their duets.  The step sisters, Joy (Malshauna Hamm) and Grace (Nikki Owens) have all the potential in the world of being show stoppers, they just need to tighten the timing, it was a little off.  Lionel (Tyrell Stanley), the princes' valet, has a great stage presence, great timing and a charming voice.  The Queen (Asia-Lige Arnold) has an excellent voice, too.  

Now I'm going to do what I rarely ever do.  I'm gonna offer up some notes.

1) The King Maximillian (Curtis McNeil) could not find the pitch.  He was out gunned by the Queen vocally, and overwhelmed by the pit orchestra.  If opening night weren't Wednesday, it might behoove him to pull out a video of "My Fair Lady" and adopt a Rex Harrison Speak-singing approach.  There's no reason the King shouldn't be as posh as Rex Harrison! 

2)The pit orchestra was a problem for a lot of the soloists, and small group numbers.  I have seen rehearsal videos, where the actors were accompanies by a paired down percussionist and a little electronic piano.  The transition to the larger ensemble is a real issue.

3) Hesitating and stepping on one another's lines.  It's like Covid, once someone catches it, it seem to spread.  Perhaps the most annoying in this regard with the Stepmother (Kenyatta V. Hardison).  It's time to get into the zone.  Her misses effected both Malshauna and Nikki's timing, too.  

4) There are two actors playing the Fairy Godmother.  For this performance it was Jade Madden.  Here's the deal.  Even if you're playing the part as the grand diva, you still have to play the part.  Otherwise, you're just a diva, and it gets old.  And it's another case of nailing down your lines.  This should be a showcase of excellence, not amateur night at the Apollo...

I have no photos, they haven't produced any production stills, yet.

And a final thought.  For me this was an interesting weekend.  From the seeing the best production of this autumn, "Fat Ham" on Friday at Studio Theatre, to the worst..."Cinderella," a bit of a roller coaster drop!  And it's fair to say that within any collection of plays/musicals one will end up sitting on the top and one will end up on the bottom; however, and in spite of my feelings about this one, its intended audience was un-phased by the miss-steps.  The 6 to 14-year-old crowd just ate it all up!  Which is very nice.  And a joy to see.