By: Bradley Fowler, Rancocas Valley Regional High School, Mount Holly
MULLICA HILL, N.J. — A fairy godmother, magical pumpkin chariots, and a love story as old as time, these elements plus many more ensured that everyone in attendance at Clearview High School’s production of Cinderella was having “A Lovely Night.”
Cinderella, written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, originally aired on CBS in 1957 starring Julie Andrews. It offers a fresh take on Disney’s 1950 animated classic. Unlike the Disney adaptation, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s version deepens its characters, most notably that of Cinderella, who is more assertive and advocates for the well-being of those in her community. The Broadway premiere of this version in 2013 starred Laura Osnes as Ella and Santino Fontana as Prince Topher.
While every element of the production — costumes, character portrayals, choreography — was exceptional, it was the stunning sets and lighting created by Clearview’s tech and crew team that truly anchored the show. A standout moment came midway through the first act when the ballroom set was revealed, complete with a realistic marble staircase, an interactive clock centerpiece, and various castle decorations that filled the auditorium with fairytale charm. These were beautifully complemented by the crew’s lighting, which made Ella’s transformation into her iconic ball gown even more enchanting. Throughout the production, the audience responded with audible “oohs” and “aahs,” a testament to how these impressive technical elements highlighted the incredible work of the 50-person cast.
In addition to the magic created by the set, the leads of the show, Ella, played by Norah Stankoski, and Topher, played by Ben DiVerniero, truly brought the story to life. Both Stankoski and DiVerniero delivered exceptional portrayals of their characters. Every moment with DiVerniero on stage radiated charm, particularly in numbers like “Ten Minutes Ago,” where the prince’s sudden realization of his love was palpable, captivating the audience with his heartfelt, classically vocalized performance. Similarly, Stankoski perfectly embodied the essence of a princess through her songbird-like vocals, graceful physicality, and a touch of assertiveness, which defines Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s version of the story. Their performances added depth to the beloved characters, making their journey even more memorable.
No production of Cinderella would be complete without the iconic role of Marie, Ella’s Fairy Godmother, played by Giuliana Stout. From her early portrayal as a face-covered, hunchbacked figure to her enchanting transformation into the Fairy Godmother, Stout stole the stage. Her operatic range added an ethereal quality to every moment, especially in the finale, “The Wedding,” where she cleverly “optioned up” on the final note, leaving the audience in awe.
In addition to its spectacular sets and lighting, the production benefited from impeccable costuming and the clever use of robotics. In numbers like “Waltz for a Ball,” performers wore historically accurate and uniquely crafted ensembles that captured the essence of 19th-century royalty. A crowd favorite was Ella’s pumpkin chariot, which began as a small, life-sized pumpkin and was transformed offstage by a robot into a full-sized chariot, with Ella belting her heart out inside it. This seamless integration of modern technology added a fresh edge to the timeless tale.
Just as Marie sings in Act I, Cinderella proves that it’s “quite possible” for fairy tales to come true, especially when brought to life by Clearview Regional High School.
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