It was scheduled to cap off the 2019-2020 season for the Augusta Players.
Richard Justice had been tapped at the beginning of the season to direct “Rodgers and Hammerstein'[s Cinderella.” He’d selected the cast, designed the set and come up with his own take on the show.
But COVID-19 cut the season and a few months later Justice’s life short. The Players’ production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” sat in limbo for two years.
“We were a week into rehearsals,” said Scott Seidl, the Players’ executive director, who is making sure that Justice’s vision is coming to the stage Mother’s Day weekend. Justice’s notebook with his intentions gave Seidl insight into the late director’s wishes and that version will be performed beginning May 6.
Most of the actors Justice had chosen to play the roles are finally getting the chance to perform. Only a few of the original cast members had to be recast because people had moved from the area, Seidl said.
“Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” is the finale of a season entirely dedicated to Justice, a longtime actor, director and friend of The Augusta Players.
Katie Reagan said she’s excited to finally be able to play the role of the Fairy Godmother who is also known as crazy Marie.
“I love this so, so much,” said Reagan who has a few real life ties to the story of Cinderella and her fairy godmother. Reagan worked at Disney World in Cinderella’s castle about 15 years ago, so the story has a special place in her heart.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein version isn’t the same as the Disney animated classic, however.
“Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” was twice remade for television, first in 1965 for Lesley Ann Warren and again in 1997, featuring Brandy and Whitney Houston. The original Broadway production of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” opened in 2013 and starred Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, Victoria Clark and Harriet Harris,” according to Concordia Theatricals’ website which handles the licensing for the production.
MORE: “Shrek” brings music, fun and laughs to the Augusta University stage
Seidl said he likes the contemporary version because the character of Ella makes things happen in her life.
That glass slipper just doesn’t fall off, he said.
“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7 and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 8 at the Imperial Theatre.
Tickets are available at the Augusta Players website augustaplayers.org or the Imperial Theatre website at imperialtheatre.com.
The Augusta Players is thinking ahead to its 78th season which opens Sept. 23-25 with “The Music Man.”
The Christmas production will be one that Augusta Players Executive Director Emerita Debi Ballas, who died in 2021, loved. “A Christmas Carol” will be Dec. 9-11 and it will be directed by Ballas’s daughter, Claudia Latch.
In early 2023, Go! Go! Go! see “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Feb. 24-26, and the season rounds out May 5-7, 2023 with “Seussical.”
Season subscriptions will go on sale beginning June 1.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
