Article from ShowMag Thanks to Lisa of NYC and Dan for this information! http://www.showmag.com/theater/theater346.html (from ShowMag.com) Cinderella Sigler, Kitt By Melinda Schupmann Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, an extraordinarily handsome prince (Paolo Montalban) spied a lovely young girl (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and the rest, as they say, is old news. However, this time around, the Orange County Performing Arts Center practices its splendid magic and incorporates a chunk of the old Oscar Hammerstein II story, a bit of the classic 60's television version, and some new twists from the recent Disney production starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. There's a lot of love story, some broad satire, pretty decent choreography by Ken Roberson, and, of course, a fog machine. Slinking into this mix, the quintessential cat lady takes center stage, as sultry a fairy godmother (Eartha Kitt) as you might find anywhere. She comes from the darker fairy world of Shakespeare, though, not that homogenized pink and white locale we are used to. At 70+, Kitt commands attention. In her "Fol-De-Rol" number, there's hardly a muscle not called into play as she proves again and again that she's an entertainment institution. Director Gabriel Barre and writer Tom Briggs have created a new adaptation of the story for this generation of Cinderella watchers. No longer remaining the pale and passive scullery maid, Cinderella is coached by Kitt to take charge of her life and decide for herself what she wants--the message for the little girl of today. Sigler tries to see to it, but she lapses into a lot of stereotypical eye-batting and shy, self-effacing coquetry. Montalban is a heart-poundingly sensual prince with a beautiful voice and a palpable sense of frustration as the young man trapped in a life that has no meaning. For a standard fairy tale, the love scenes are electric, thanks to him. The supporting cast is suitably colorful. King Maximillian (Ken Prymus) and Queen Constantina (Leslie Becker) are clever and comical. Lionel, the Royal Steward (Brooks Ashmanskas) is flamboyantly funny, reminiscent of the late Paul Lynde. Stepmother (Everett Quinton) and stepsisters Joy (Alexandra Kolb) and Grace (NaTasha Yvette Williams) deliver awful characters with unappealing fervor. The bright pinks, limes, and greens of Pamela Scofield's costumes make a bold statement, taking us further away from the traditional rendition and into a contemporary cartoon world. James Youmans' scenic and Tim Hunter's lighting design thoroughly enchant. But it's the puppets who steal the show. Four absolutely cunning mice under the direction of Kip Driver, Kevin Duda, Jason Ma, and Jason Robinson, and a cat named Charles (Patrick Wetzel) bring back the Disneyesque quality of the cartoon version. Adding "The Sweetest Sounds" from No Strings to the score begins the show, and it provides some of the lovliest moments of the musical numbers. Both Sigler and Montalban have great voices, and they are teriffic together. If I am wistfully wishing for a little less show biz and a little more of the mellow charm of earlier versions with Julie Andrews or Leslie Ann Warren, Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon, then I am just not "with it." Today's stage show needs to snap and crackle with special effects and dazzle. This show does that and more. In an audience filled with children all dressed up for a special evening, there is no disappointment in this big, bright show.