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With colorful sets, catchy music and over-the-top characters, the Razz-Ma-Tazz production of “Cinderella” succeeds in entertaining young and old. The musical comedy offers a new spin on the familiar fairytale.
When the curtains draw back Cinderella is nowhere to be found, instead first-time actor and narrator Sarah Berger is on stage. With her sprightly spirit, she entices the crowd and draws them immediately into the comic rendition of Cinderella’s story.
As Berger exits the stage, soot-ridden Cinderella, magnificently played by Michaela-Rose Colbrese, is finally introduced. Down on her hands and knees, she uses elbow grease to clean the floor for her two evil stepsisters, Repulsa and Obnoixa, played by … guys? Unbelievably, David Schwab and Airman 1st Class Kyle Beshears were born for the role of comic drag queens. Their characters ingeniously transform the Razz-Ma-Tazz production into a sidesplitting comedy not just for children, but teenagers and adults.
“One two three, two three three, three two three, turn with me,” sing the giddy stepsisters as they awkwardly waltz across the stage to piano music played by Lori Wagner, in what they call the “Wiggy White Waltz.” They are dancing at the prince’s 21st birthday ball, hoping to snag him as their future husband.
The fairy godmother is another comic twist in the well-known story. Played by Mary Erickson, the fairy godmother has a fetish for Mel Gibson, a memory comparable to Dory’s from “Finding Nemo” and a peculiar knack for acquiring audience participation.
Finally, after some setbacks and with her forgetful fairy godmother’s help, Cinderella attends the royal ball and finally meets the prince. Senior Airman Troy Gant plays the curious, intelligent and witty prince who has no first name and spends the evening fending off the truly ugly stepsisters and other money-driven females. Cinderella is the envy of every “lady” attending and the prince is enamored. Unfortunately for them both, Cinderella’s 12-o’clock curfew rolls around too fast and she leaves the ball immediately. The swooning prince chases after his new love as a procession of ungainly girls follows after him – a clever show of stage play that amuses the crowd.
As the raucous scene clears, the prince finds his mystery woman’s lost slipper and he vows to search the whole country looking for the fitting foot …
Catch the next remaining performances 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ramstein Community Center. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children, ages 3 to 12. Shows are selling out so advanced tickets are recommended. Call 480-6600 for details.
