Article from Denver Post Thanks to Lisa for this information! This critic loved it and the other one trashed it. It makes you wonder. Maybe one of them wasn't invited to the party after the show? http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,78%257E85436,00.html 'Cinderella' charms By Sandra C. Dillard Denver Post Theater Critic Thursday, August 02, 2001 - Cinderella" makes you smile from its opening minutes when Eartha Kitt appears in a glittery gown as a the most deadpan, no-nonsense, matter-of-fact fairy godmother who ever lived. She's a sprite who dispenses life lessons as much as magic. Special/Carol Rosegg While this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, directed by Gabriel Barre, boasts no memorable music, it's a charmer of a show and nice family entertainment. It acknowledges the children in the audience, but does not always pander to them. The cast is appealing, especially Paolo Montalban as a young Prince being pushed into marriage by his eager mother (Leslie Becker), and his go-along-to-get-along father (Ken Prymus). Montalban, whose rich voice complements his dark good looks, is empathetic as a level-headed young man who wants to marry for love, rather than convenience, and wants to wed someone he can talk to. He and sweet-voiced Deborah Gibson, as the much put-upon Cinderella, have nice chemistry together, the kind of pull that's apparent from the moment they pass each other in the village market and then briefly meet when the disguised prince accidentally knocks her packages from her arms and then helps pick them up. "A girl should be treated with kindness and respect," he says - one of the script's many well-meaning adages, and one that gives a strong clue into his character. The market, a bustling, colorful scene with lots of energy, is the setting for Montalban and Gibson's best song, "The Sweetest Sounds." Kitt gets top billing. She wields a strong stage presence and delights in showing that she's as agile as ever at 74, as sge leaps, kicks and bounds about as The Fairy Godmother and gets one of her biggest laughs when she appears from a "magical" cloud of smoke, coughing and gasping. Her Fairy Godmother is the kind who doesn't grant Cinderella's wish to go to the ball immediately. Rather, she waits until the hapless waif details her own plans for achieving her goal and helps her, "now that you're ready to take responsibility for your own destiny" (a life lesson). The appearance of the golden coach with its spinning wheels and white-garbed dancers appearing as prancing "horses," is one of the must impressive moments in a show filled with visual treats that include a lighted castle in the background, a huge full moon, and an inky, star-studded sky. Surprisingly enough, Cinderella's ball gown, which should be a showstopper, isn't, but the ball scene, where she and the Prince meet and fall in love, is nicely handled. Victor Trent Cook is thoroughly enjoyable as the Prince's steward, Lionel, whose accurate observations and sharp comic asides pepper the plot. Everett Quinton, in a towering red-haired 'do, is happily over- the-top as The Stepmother, who berates Cinderella nonstop. The Stepmother is determined to wed one of her two ungainly daughters to the Prince and later proves equally determined to snag the horrified Lionel for herself. The homely daughters, braying Joy (Alexandra Kolb) and itching, scratching Grace (NaTasha Yvette Williams) are the antithesis of their names, which adds to the humor, although Williams' black- sitcom characterization is a little jarring in this medieval tale. Sparked throughout by the antics of stick-manipulated puppets that include four white mice, a plump house cat and swirling dove, "Cinderella" moves at a swift pace to its fairy-tale ending, when the heroine who is lovely both inside and out (another life lesson) marries the handsome prince. Cinderella *** (out of four stars) Written by: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II Starring: Eartha Kitt, Paolo Montalban and Deborah Gibson Directed by: Gabriel Barre Presented by: Denver Center Attractions Where: The Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets When: Through Aug. 12; 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees Tickets: $20-$55; 303-893-4100 or 303-830-8497; outside Denver, 800-641-1222; groups, 20 or more, 303-446-4829