Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella Magic Shines At MHS

Milan High School (MHS) Productions’ spring musical was the classic Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which ran through March 14. Cinderella premiered as a feature animated film in 1957 and opened on Broadway in March 2013.

Junior Violet Burdette was phenomenal in the lead role Ella. She gave a poised performance that combined a youthful innocence with a sweetness audiences expect from Cinderella. Her soprano voice rang true, clear and precise. She presented the perfect combination of innocence and hopefulness, and she was adored by the audience who were able to dream with her.

Violet Burdette singing “In My Own Little Corner”. Photo by Steve Sheldon.

Junior Myla Kofahl was sneaky good as Marie, the crazy old woman of the woods and the Fairy Godmother. Her Marie costume was both hilarious and hideous. Kofahl played both characters straight, not over-reaching for laughs. And, when she sang she was exceptional. Kofahl had an amazing soprano voice, and when singing with Burdette, it was music magic.

(L-R) Violet Burdette as Ella and Myla Kofahl as Marie. Photo by Steve Sheldon.

Jackson Mullins, (11^th grade) played an enjoyable Prince Topher. His pursuit of Cinderella was staged well. He had a strong baritone voice that could hold its own when singing with Burdette. Mullins’ character grew throughout the play and became a commanding presence in Act II. He and Burdette made beautiful music together singing “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful”?

Jackson Mullins as Topher and Violet Burdette as Ella. Photo by Steve Sheldon.

Cinderella features strong supporting roles. Junior Agnes Gibner portrayed Madame with a meanness that permeated everything and everyone. She played her role so well, she was totally dislikable. Her daughters, Lily Grimley (11^th grade) as Gabrielle and Lynsey Dunn (10^th grade) as Charlotte, Cinderella’s stepsisters, played their roles straight and it worked. They were both funny and condescending to Cinderella. Dunn came across as arrogant and self-absorbed, fitting her character so well. Grimley’s Gabrielle showed a heart of gold, choosing Jean-Michel over the Prince while befriending Ella.

(L-R) Lynsey Dunn as Charlotte, Agnes Gibner as Madame, Lila Grimley as Gabrielle and Violet Burdette as Ella. Photo by Steve Sheldon.

Hugo Guilierrez (9^th grade) portrayed the devious Sebastian with a smoothness that worked. His character was dishonest and that characteristic came across. His scheming with Madame was under-handedness personified. Aidan Gagnon (10^th grade) played the idealistic Jean-Michel, who awkwardly professes his love for Gabrielle, while being thrown out of the house by Madame. Franklin Barker (9^th grade) played Lord Pinkelton, Topher’s sidekick.

Aidan Gagnon as Jean-Michel. Photo by Steve Sheldon.

Franklin Barker as Lord Pinkelton and Hugo Gutierrez as Sebastian. Photo by Steve Sheldon.

Cinderella was directed by Jason & Becky Berry. Music direction by Adeline Wiard and Abigail Peters. Guest choreographer was Maxine Tewsley, assisted by student choreographer Veronica Riggenbach. The all-student orchestra was conducted by Noah Lopez, Milan’s Director of Bands.

Scene changes worked smoothly. In ensemble numbers, chorus members who sang solo lines frequently were lost because they could not be heard. The choreography in the ball waltz was fun to watch. The waltz dance was made to show off the evening dresses swirling in rhythmic motion as the cast danced in wide circles. When the dresses did swirl, it was an eye-pleasing sequence.

Cinderella ran at the Dennis McComb Performing Arts Center at Milan High School, located at 300 Big Red Drive, in Milan.