Cinderella and the Ice Slipper: The fun-filled family Panto lives up to expectations!
What a moment! Glossy Steppe (alias Réjean Dinelle-Mayer as the “Dame”) in her huge curly purple wig, one of the two ‘step-sisters’ tormenting Cinderella, belted out his/her own ferocious version of We Will Survive’ from Priscilla Queen of the Desert, just as the step -sisters battle for the favours of the new Prince ‘charms’ . Prince is seeking the mysterious owner of that glass slipper while both ugly sisters choke in their drool of desperation. Emotions run very high because they both want to get their hands on the handsome business man played by the very charming Panto newcomer Andy Allen- McCarthy (who insists he is not a prince) whereas the sweet and talented little Cinderella (Emilie O’Brien) is already tucked away in the kitchen cleaning pots and washing the floors of the family restaurant, warbling about her dreams with her buddy Buttons (Brady Van Vaerenbergh). It’s at that moment that Dinelle-Mayer reveals his true nature as a great voice of Orpheus musical theatre and for a few minutes steals the show.!!!! And such a show it was!!!
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Yes indeed! Ottawa Musicals is back at the Gladstone for the fifth straight year of their own special brand of Christmas Panto adapted to the Ottawa area where the company is based. With a professional cast and production team, these shows are becoming an important Ottawa tradition to the extent that the young ones recognize the panto Dame, the “ice monster”, the little selfie Elf (Declan Cassidy …its all in the family!!) the nasty Mama who assumes various forms, the musicians, the video romps through local businesses and the clever musical adaptations.
This new panto version of Cinderella has many twists and turns but it remained on track so that the original was always in view and did not seem to confuse the youngsters. You see, Sarah Cassidy(producer) Matt Cassidy (director), writer Ken MacDougal ,and choreographer Jessica Vandenberg have all taken unexpected liberties with this old Grimm’s fairy tale to get the little ones involved and the interplay came to its most heightened moments in ACT II where there was much dashing about in the audience to the delight of all .
How about the kind Fairy Godfather (Chad Connell) with a twinge of a crime boss Brando accent and a physical manner owing much to the Corleone family. Or what about the important and creepy but oh so talented character played by Shelley Simester as Mama Steppe the monstrously ambitious step-mom of those two uncontrollable daughters (Flossy and Glossy) with the flashy underwear and slippery stockings, drooling over that handsome new man in town. Dinelle-Mayer (Glossy) and Cara Pantalone (Flossy) interacted in perfect rhythm as the model of nasty, slovenly , unacceptable behaviour which definitely titillated the young ones. All that which is not allowed at home was there before their eyes…on stage!! How marvellous!
Much of the interaction with the young ones in the theatre was in fact provoked by Mama Steppe when the children were told to “boo” as soon as she appeared. She was a smashing creature whose snake-like eyes and slithering movements corresponded to her resoundingly powerful voice that had the audience terribly conflicted between booing and clapping – such was the strength of her performance.
The first part of the show did lack a bit of energy on opening night but it all picked up enormously in Act II when the on screen visuals became more active, such as the orchestration of a huge invasion of the Fun Haven by the whole cast running breathlessly though those installations in the west end of the city .
Also some excellent collective choreography by Jesssica Vandenberg came into play. The catchy dancing and lovely arrangements of many well known songs by arranger , director and pianist Wendy Berkelaar – (with percussionist Pierre Huneault and Gabe Leury on the electiric bass) provided a new level of irony and playfulness that helped the actors carry on their own level of tongue in cheek humour which included some good jabs at Ford and Trump and all the politicians we love to hate in these troubled times. .
A local hockey game that took us back to a recent musical as well as a chorus of young local singers even got into the spirit of the panto , a gesture that brought the show closer to the Ottawa community and that obviously pleased the kiddies and their parents.
And then, with all the hate in the world these days, a final touch of schmaltzy redemption was not out of place especially given the way the show kept distancing itself from the obvious. Tongue in cheek was the word here and the enormous talent involved in this show made it all work beautifully. This Cinderella is exactly the kind of entertainment that we all need at the moment.
“Cinderella and the Ice Slipper” plays at the Gladstone Theatre until January 6. There are several matinees. For tickets and info all 613-233-4523
For more details see their site: OttawaMusicals@gmail.com
Director / producer Matt Cassidy
Writer Ken MacDougall
Musical director Wendy Berkelaar
Original music Jonathan Evans (“Dreamin” and “Cold Hands Warm Heart”)
Choreographer Jessic Vandenberg
Artistic director/ producer Sarah Cassidy
Lightingand sound design Matt Cassidy
Costumes, props and set design Lu-Anne Connell
Graphic design, and video Matt Connell