Mallory James and Tré Cotten as Cinderella and Prince Topher. Photo by Lindsay Elliott Photography.
By Brittany Tiplady
@yellowbird888
Theatre Under The Stars is a slice of Vancouver magic and an annual summer tradition adored by many. Each year through July and August, local culture vultures, tourists and families alike gather in Stanley Park for an evening of spectacular theatre–supported by local talent–under, quite literally, the stars.
Sustaining a yearly culture event in today’s digital world feels very hope springs eternal, and yet, Theatre Under The Stars is entering their 76th season with another dazzling duo of productions: Rodgers and Hammsterstein’s Cinderella and 42nd Street.
Kicking off the season is Cinderella, opening Wednesday, July 11 at the Malkin Bowl, followed by 42nd Street taking the stage on Thursday, July 12. Cinderella’s director Sarah Rodgers promises that this is an evening you won’t want to miss.
“It’s a very romantic, magical story. This is a new adaptation; that’s what I find incredibly exciting. Our Cinderella script was re-written in 2015, and it’s got this wonderful wit, and humour and a modern sensibility to it. But it still holds on to that beautiful fairy tale story, with a couple of surprising twists. Cinderella also brings about a conversation on social and political change. That’s what I love about this heroine. She’s a strong minded, modern, young woman seeking adventure. She’s not just looking to get married,” says Rodgers.
“We’ve got some wonderful diversity in the casting and I really wanted this fairy tale to represent our world, and not the European world of the 1400s, which is when this story was written.”
Making her TUTS debut is Mallory James as Cinderella and performing alongside her is fellow TUTS newcomer, and theatre veteran Tré Cotten as Prince Topher.
“Mallory James is new to Vancouver and she’s studying at Studio 58 currently. She’s got fantastic training and brings a fresh wit and humour and quickness to the roll of Cinderalla,” adds Rodgers. “Our prince, Tré Cotten, is a pastor’s son and grew up singing gospel; he’s a real triple threat with an incredible voice. He just brings such a wonderful vocal quality to our show.”
Cinderella’s production is punctuated but Christina Sinosich’s acclaimed costume engineering and, as Rodgers enthusiastically mentions, promises to be one of the most memorable facets of the show.
Cinderella and 42nd Street are playing at the Malkin Bowl on alternating evenings from July 11-August 18. Shows begin at 8 PM; tickets start at $30 and are available here.
Brittany Tiplady is a writer, editor, ballet teacher, and the co-founder of Loose Lips Magazine. She loves the indoors, fast wifi, collecting maps, and a generous glass of red wine. She’s a self-proclaimed wizard of time management and a notorious loud talker with a penchant for all things Internet and pop culture.
