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SINGAPORE: This is a tale as old as time which every little girl (and boy) would know.
Cinderella - a girl who’s bullied by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, only to find her Prince Charming after fitting into a glass slipper - is one of the most well-known fairy tales that children grow up with.
Originally starring Julie Andrews in 1957, American song-writers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein Junior adapted the fable into a musical for television.
Today, this timeless rags-to-riches story will debut in Asia as a musical.
Director Bobby Garcia reassures that the musical will remain faithful to the original story, and they would "not be tweaking it in anyway" or re-fashioning the characters to suit the 21st century.
Although the cast of 29 people have been touring various cities in the region such as Manila, Xi'an and Guangzhou, "nothing is localised".
The universal story just seems to have its magical way in connecting with the crowds, judging by the overwhelming positive response at the end of the shows.
Tony Award winning Broadway singer Lea Salonga, best known for her title role of "Miss Saigon" in London's West End, plays the very first Asian Cinderella. Was this a childhood dream come true then?
“I never actually thought that one day I would actually be playing her,” the actress shared.
However, it's a different story for her two-year-old daughter who is in love with the character. Salonga revealed that she keeps a spare tiara in her dressing room so her daughter can put it on when she visits, "She looks at herself in the mirror and her carriage immediately changes - she knows what it means to be a princess... it's hilarious!"
Expect a night of glitz with dazzling costumes designed by renowned Italian fashion designer Renato Balestra who have dressed royalties such as Princess Diana and the Queen of Thailand.
Tony Award winner David Gallo provides the elaborate set design to transport everyone to a fantasy world.
“(The set design) is so beautiful, so whimsical... you’ll feel like you’re opening a story book and entering the world,” said Garcia.
"Cinderella, the Musical" will be staged in Singapore from January 2-22 next year.
Tickets are now on sale at all SISTIC outlets.
-CNA/jk
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