New staging promises a charming ‘Cinderella’ at UNLV

Marilyn LaRocque

Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 | 9:15 a.m.

What: "Cinderella."

When: 8 p.m. today, Saturday, Nov. 29, Nov. 30 and Dec. 5 through Dec. 7. Also, 2 p.m. Dec. 1 and Dec. 8.

Where: Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Tickets: $20, general admission; $15 students, senior and military; UNLV students, free with valid student I.D.

Information: 895-2787.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" moves into an art deco environment in a new staging of the musical conceived by director Robert Brewer and scenic designer Joe Varga. It opens tonight at Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The production is part of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre's University Company 2002-2003 season.

"Cinderella" is the only musical the famous Broadway duo wrote for television; it originally premiered on March 31, 1957, on CBS. It includes such memorable songs as "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," "Ten Minutes Ago (I Met You)," and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"

Brewster said of the 1920s-1930s setting, "When you're doing a well-known show like 'Cinderella,' what you're trying to find is a fresh way to approach the material. Joe (Varga) took his inspiration from the old art deco movie houses. So the framework for the entire piece is inspired by those great movie palaces where dreams came true. No pumpkin coach. No mice."

Will the new production discard other traditions of "Cinderella?"

"You play every play for believablity and truth," Brewer said. "At the romantic core are Cinderella and the Prince. This is the heart of Hammerstein that beats throughout the piece. While these two people are trying to find each other, they're surrounded by a 'toon town collection of buffoons and clowns. We play that to the hilt.

"The production is very physical."

The actors are UNLV students accompanied by a 21-piece orchestra composed mostly of UNLV students, with David Weiller as musical director.

Celeste Lero, a junior and theater arts major, plays the title role.

"Cinderella is one of those roles that inspire you to become an actor in the first place," Lero said. "There's a universal feeling that Cinderella is just kind and sweet. People don't usually put into her character the fact that she's actully very strong emotionally and mentally.

"She has a sense of humor and is able to get through things with her stepmother and stepsisters and relies on her imagination to help her through life. She's not a victim and helps herself when she has the opportunity. She goes to the ball and makes the most out of it. It's a new kind of take on Cinderella."

Lero said she "felt very spoiled" when saw her 1920s-'30s costumes.

"They're very lavish," she said, "off-the-shoulder ball gowns with pouffy skirts. At the end of show, I wear the most gorgeous wedding dress ever with a train. When I first tried it on, all I could think of was, 'I'm going to be getting married over and over again for three weeks.' "

Prior to attending UNLV, Lero was a student at Webster Conservatory of the Arts in St. Louis. Last summer she performed in summer stock in Little Theater on the Square in Sullivan, Ill.

She had roles in "South Pacific," "Footloose," "Victor/Victoria" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Lero said she likes "being onstage and connectng with a whole theater full of people. You don't know their names, but you share the moment and experience with them."

Steve Booth, a junior, from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is her Prince Charming.

"There was a lot of competition for the role," he said. "Who wouldn't want to be Prince Charming, sing some great songs, get pampered? It's also the best type of role for someone at my age (21) with my appearance and voice.

"At first I thought it was just a kids-family show, but there's more to the role than I expected. The relationship between the Prince and Cinderella is complex. There are real-life issues.

"They're young and fall in love at first sight. The Prince is a nice guy from the beginning, pampered, but not spoiled. He's confused, a little lonely and unhappy and wants to find the right girl. One of the great songs, 'Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?' (or are you beautiful because I love you?) really expresses what he's going through."