Article from NEW YORK TIMES Thanks to Dan for this information! May 8, 2001 'Cinderella': If the Shoe Fits, Fine, but Park the Pumpkin By LAWRENCE VAN GELDER With its time-tested tale, its melodic Rodgers and Hammerstein score, its attractive cast, colorful costumes and penchant for broad comedy and cute puppetry, the "Cinderella" at the Theater at Madison Square Garden through Sunday (Mother's Day), adds up to bright family entertainment. From tiny toddlers to doddering adults, no one is likely to be unresponsive to a retelling of a story that promises so much in the way of finding true love, whether the seeker, like Cinderella, be seemingly shackled to a life of hopeless adversity or, like the Prince, barred by privilege from free choice. As color-blind in its casting as it is all-embracing in its storytelling, the lively show at the Garden is based on an immensely popular 1957 television production, which starred Julie Andrews. At the Garden, the score, which includes such beguiling songs as "In My Own Little Corner," "10 Minutes Ago" and `Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?," has been augmented by the irresistible music and lyrics of "The Sweetest Sounds" from "No Strings." In this production, adapted by Tom Briggs and directed by Gabriel Barre, the aural treats are not the sole attraction. Jamie-Lynn Sigler (alias Meadow Soprano of "The Sopranos") may not be the vocal equal of Ms. Andrews in her heyday, but she charms as the unfortunate orphan reduced to a life of abused servitude by her evil stepmother. And what a stepmother this is! None other than Everett Quinton, reveling in rottenness under his wig and garish gowns. On the other hand, and what feline fingers it has, Eartha Kitt as the Fairy Godmother purrs a feminist message of love in impelling Cinderella to go out and get her man. That man is portrayed by Paolo Montalban with a strong, clear singing voice and just the right amount of democratic decency and princely panache. Besides Mr. Quinton, the comic relief, scarcely a model of subtlety, comes mainly from NaTasha Yvette Williams as Grace and Alexandra Kolb as Joy, the witless but wicked stepsisters. And pleasant turns are contributed by Victor Trent Cook as Lionel, the royal steward, and by Leslie Becker as Queen Constantina and Ken Prymus as King Maximillian. A word of praise is owing, too, to the puppeteers who bring to life the sweet mice, the cat and the white bird who never fail Cinderella in her moments of need. Even those who have no transportation as lavish as Cinderella's are likely to leave this show smiling. CINDERELLA Music by Richard Rodgers; book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; adapted for the stage by Tom Briggs, from the teleplay by Robert L. Freedman. Directed by Gabriel Barre; musical supervision and arrangements by Andrew Lippa; choreographed by Ken Roberson. Sets by James Youmans; costumes by Pamela Scofield; lighting by Tim Hunter; sound by Duncan Edwards; special effects, Gregory Meeh; puppets by Integrity Designworks; hair and wig design, Bernie Ardia; orchestrations by David Siegel; original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett; orchestra contractor, Michael Keller; music director and conductor, John Mezzio; production supervisor, Seth Wenig; general managers, Ken Davenport and Scott W. Jackson, Gentry & Associates; production stage manager, Daniel L. Bello; company manager, Jeff Pluth; executive producer, Ken Gentry. Networks production presented by Radio City Entertainment. At the Theater at Madison Square Garden, 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue. WITH: Eartha Kitt (Fairy Godmother), Jamie-Lynn Sigler (Cinderella), Paolo Montalban (Prince Christopher), Everett Quinton (Stepmother), NaTasha Yvette Williams (Grace), Alexandra Kolb (Joy), Victor Trent Cook (Lionel), Leslie Becker (Queen Constantina) and Ken Prymus (King Maximillian).