On October 1, the premiere of the musical Cinderella, which conquered Broadway, will take place on the stage of the Rossiya Theater. Woman's Day attended an open rehearsal and will tell you how the fabulous premiere is being prepared and how the Russian production differs from the Western version.
actors Yulia Iva and Pavel Levkin
The musical "Cinderella", created especially for Russia by a creative team that brought together the best specialists from Russia, Great Britain and the USA, will tell Charles Perrault's favorite fairy tale in a completely different way, will surprise you with new storylines and unexpected details. A new, original production will be created in Moscow, which will borrow from the Broadway performance only the libretto and songs by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, which were first performed in the legendary 1957 television musical of the same name.
The performance will be the tenth musical staged in Moscow by the Stage Entertainment company, familiar to the Russian audience from such hits as The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Singing in the Rain, CATS, MAMMA MIA!, ZORRO , The Sound of Music and CHICAGO.
Rehearsal of a scene from the musical
From the story of Cinderella
For many years now, the fairy tale about Cinderella has not lost its relevance. A beautiful and fabulous love story, full of miracles and transformations, still attracts both children and adults. It was first published in 1696 in Paris, in the collection Tales of Mother Goose by Charles Perrault - in 2016 the fairy tale turns 320 years old! The premiere of the television musical "Cinderella" took place in 1957 on one of the American television channels. Composer Richard Rogers was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Contribution to Television, and the television musical itself was watched by over 100 million people. Since then, many stage versions of Cinderella have appeared around the world, including a Christmas pantomime in London and an opera in New York. Staged in 2013 on Broadway in New York, the musical Cinderella was awarded the Tony Award in 9 nominations.
Crystal shoes created by the Crystal House "Bakhmetev"
What's new in the Russian version?
“The project turned out to be much more difficult than we could have imagined,” said Dmitry Bogachev, producer of the musical, head of Stage Entertainment. - Everyone knows who Cinderella is, what she should be, and it was impossible to be mistaken. On the one hand, it was very important to preserve the romance and beauty of Charles Perrault's fairy tale, on the other hand, we are telling a new, more interesting and relevant story for today, with a large number of characters and storylines. It is very important to maintain this balance: after all, the audience, and even more so the most uncompromising of them - children - will evaluate us. And you won't get them! As for Cinderella, then all the surprises will happen right before the eyes of the audience - a pumpkin turns into a carriage, a raccoon and a fox into horses ... Cinderella herself will be transformed right in the dance - a dilapidated poor outfit will become a dazzling ball gown.
The rehearsal featured the best performances performed by the musical’s artists, including Alena Khmelnitskaya as Madame (as the stepmother is called in the musical), Yulia Iva and Natalia Bystrova as Cinderella before and during the ball, Pavel Levkin as Prince Tofer.
“My heroine is by no means a naive shy girl, as we used to see her in films and cartoons,” says Yulia Iva. – My Cinderella is strong, purposeful, she wants to change the world for the better. Ella is friends with one of the sisters, she has a peculiar relationship with her Stepmother. And besides, Cinderella will go to the ball twice! The performance will be very beautiful, fabulous and will certainly appeal to both adults and children.”
In addition, we were the first to see the unique costumes that were created in the workshops of the Mariinsky Theater and the scenery from the creator of the Beauty and the Beast musical set, the famous production designer David Gallo.
“The biggest difficulties I had when creating a dress for the Fairy - I ran off my feet in search of a “magic” fabric. As a result, the outfit was made of several materials: gas, tulle, tulle with a spark, brocade - this combination created the effect of a butterfly wing in the dress. We also made a very complex cloak for the Fairy, using felting technology to make the costume as similar as possible to a beggar's attire. In general, I did not have the task of making costumes like Disney characters - Cinderella, for example, will not have a blue dress. But there will be others, very beautiful. The heroine will change clothes for the performance as many as seven times, and in total more than 200 outfits were made for the musical,” shared costume designer Tatyana Noginova.
Already starting from October 1, everyone will be able to witness the magic: in this beautiful performance, right before your eyes, many miracles will happen that so excited the imagination in childhood: a pumpkin will definitely turn into a luxurious carriage, rough shoes will turn into crystal shoes, and the gullible Prince will suddenly .. However, see for yourself: the magic begins!
The main production of the upcoming season in Moscow has found its actors. The premiere, which promises to be one of the most striking cultural events of the autumn, will take place on October 1 on the stage of the Rossiya theater in the capital. "Cinderella" will be Stage Entertainment's tenth project in Russia and the first musical in history to be co-produced by Russia, England and the United States. More than 2 thousand artists took part in a large-scale all-Russian selection, which lasted several months. The casting group included authoritative representatives of the international creative team that will stage the musical in Moscow.
The role of Cinderella will be performed by famous actresses of musicals Natalia Bystrova And Julia Iva. Natalia Bystrova has played the main characters in many Stage Entertainment productions, such as MAMMA MIA!, The Sound of Music, CHICAGO, the Disney musicals The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. And again, the creative team of the project recognized her as one of the best, choosing among hundreds of contenders for the main role.
Julia Iva. Photo: Stage Entertainment press service
“I am happy that I will play Cinderella, because her story is similar to my personal one,” says Natalia. — Ten years ago I came to Moscow from a provincial town and pulled out a lucky ticket, getting the lead role in the musical MAMMA MIA! Last year I had to take a short break in my career: my husband and actor Dmitry Yermak and I had a son. I am glad that I will return to the big stage in the role of Cinderella, this is the fourth princess in my arsenal! I really miss the busy schedule, daily performances and look forward to starting rehearsals.”
Natalia Bystrova. Photo: Stage Entertainment press service
Also, the role of Cinderella will be performed by actress Yulia Iva, who became a real discovery for the audience after she brilliantly played the role of Katie Selden in the musical Singing in the Rain. The actor of theater and cinema will appear on the stage in the image of the Prince Pavel Levkin, performer of the role of the Beast in the musical "Beauty and the Beast", also known for his work at the Moscow Art Theater. A.P. Chekhov.
Pavel Levkin. Photo: Stage Entertainment press service
The characteristic role of Madame, and according to the script, this is the name of Cinderella's stepmother, will be performed by a star of theater and cinema Alena Khmelnitskaya and famous musical actress Lika Rulla. Starring for Lika was the role of the charming criminal Velma Kelly in the legendary musical CHICAGO, after which the actress played the main roles in many of the most high-profile musical performances - Romeo and Juliet, We will rock you, MAMMA MIA !, Monte Cristo, ZORRO, “Times are not chosen”, “Count Orlov”. And for Alena Khmelnitskaya, participation in Cinderella will be the first experience of working in a musical.
Alena Khmelnitskaya. Photo: Stage Entertainment press service
“I really love the musical genre and I am glad that it is now so popular in Russia. My theatrical career began with the rock opera Juno and Avos. I have always dreamed of playing in a high-quality Broadway production - and now in October I will take the stage in the new musical Cinderella by the Stage Entertainment Theater Company as Madame (Stepmother). In the dramaturgy of a fairy tale, this particular character has always been very sympathetic to me. In our production, Madame is refined, luxurious, a little nervous, very ambiguous, and I hope that I can present my character in a new light. I believe that there are no absolutely negative characters and everything must have its own reason. In addition, my two daughters are also growing up, and this makes us related to my heroine.
The role of one of the sisters of Cinderella, Charlotte, will be performed by the actress Elena Melentieva. The biography of the actress repeats the fairy tale of Cinderella and proves that if you do not give up and stock up on patience and perseverance, then any dream will come true. For 5 years, Elena stormed the castings of the Stage Entertainment company, and each time she missed the final a little. However, Elena did not give up and continued to work, improving her skills. And finally, her dream came true - she joined the troupe of the musical "Cinderella"!“I am grateful to the Stage Entertainment company for inspiring me to become better and better with their productions,” says Elena Melentyeva. — Over and over again, getting rejected, I did not give up. After all, I had a goal, a huge dream - to get into the musical, and it came true! When I saw the description of the role of Charlotte, I immediately understood: “It's me!” I did not doubt and did not lose faith, because once Alla Pugacheva herself told me that I was “a born musical actress”. The main thing is to go to your goal, and everything will work out. Dreams come true where they are expected.
Prima donna of musicals Elena Charkviani will appear before the audience in the role of the Fairy Godmother. Famous musical artists will also take part in the production of Cinderella Igor Portnoy, Stanislav Chunikhin, Maxim Kosolapov, Rustim Bakhtiyarov,Ivan Koryakovsky,Maria Olkhova, Elena Balykova, Victoria Kanatkina and many others.
“One of the main features of the musical Cinderella in Moscow will be the joint work of directors from three countries: Russia, England and the USA,” says the head of the Stage Entertainment theater company, producer Dmitry Bogachev. - The creative team will have to create a new original performance, starting with directing and choreography and ending with artistic design. The audience is in for a lot of surprises! And, of course, in this project we need the best musical artists of the country. I am very pleased with the troupe, each of the artists, including the ensemble, is absolutely in his place, and each is a star. I believe that we will get the most beautiful Cinderella in the world, which viewers of any age will want to meet!”
See the photo report of the site from the open rehearsal of a new musical performance!
From October 1, the Rossiya Theater will once again open its doors to all fans of the musical genre. Stage Entertainment theater company is staging its tenth anniversary musical performance in Moscow. This fall, residents of the capital will be able to enjoy an absolute hit on Broadway - the musical Cinderella. Only now the Russian production has undergone some changes, and apart from the libretto and songs by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, our Cinderella no longer borrows anything from the original. Everything is original, original, creative. And, what is especially pleasant, in the team that worked on the performance, there are professionals not only from the USA and Great Britain, but also from Russia.
Director of the Russian version of the musical, winner of the highest theater award Laurence Olivier, Lindsay Posner says:
Cinderella is a beautiful story about a young girl and a handsome Prince. Serious things are told here in simple language, and therefore will be understood by both the child and the adult. Our performance is different from the usual fairy tale. When I started staging a musical, I approached the matter as if I were dealing with a drama or with a work of Chekhov. Indeed, when working with such material as Cinderella, it is easy to go into pantomime.
But the new musical from the creators of The Little Mermaid, The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast and other successful productions in the capital does not go into pantomime. On the contrary, the performance raises very serious and relevant topics. For example, Cinderella, that is, Ella, is not a timid, quiet and shy girl, as we used to see her in the Disney cartoon of the same name, but a strong, independent and independent girl who has her own opinion. Such, if necessary, will charm the Prince, and stop a galloping horse, and sort out buckwheat and rice. In general, everything is like in life.
In addition, be prepared for other changes in the plot of the traditional fairy tale. Cinderella will go to the ball not once, but twice. She is also friends with one of the stepsisters and helps her arrange her personal life. The stepmother is not so evil, but just harmful. By the way, she is played by theater and film actress Alena Khmelnitskaya, who had never participated in musical performances before. So for a famous artist, this is a real debut!
Alena Khmelnitskaya in the musical "Cinderella"
Alena Khmelnitskaya admits:
When I found myself inside this process and saw what inhuman work artists, directors, orchestra musicians put into their work, I began to respect the genre of the musical even more. I also really like my heroine - she, of course, is bitchy, obsessed with herself, but still there is something good in her. Daughters, again, wants to successfully marry ... And then, she is so stylish! You have no idea how much I like her outfits, and especially the fantastic beauty of her hat.
And it's hard not to agree with Alena. The artwork, as always, is amazing. Dresses for Cinderella and costumes for other characters were created under the strict guidance of Tatiana Noginova in the workshops of the Mariinsky Theatre. In total, more than 200 outfits were sewn for the performance. “Where are the famous shoes of Cinderella?” You ask. Of course, where are we without magic shoes! Especially for the musical, the shoes were made by the Bakhmetev Crystal House. This is a real work of art, believe me! You can see them in the foyer of the Rossiya Theatre, where everyone in the audience will be allowed to touch them and make a wish. They say it will come true. Returning to the performance, the scenery was handled by production designer David Gallo - by the way, he created the set for the musical "Beauty and the Beast".
From the same opera, as they say, the performer of the role of Prince Topher is the theater and film actor Pavel Levkin, who tried on the role of the Beast the year before last. Now the artist without frightening make-up and with a glass slipper in his hand will look for his one and only. And Cinderella will alternately play the already recognized musical stars Yulia Iva and Natalia Bystrova. You can remember the first one from the performance “Singing in the Rain”, and the last one from the musicals “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast”.
The Russian "Cinderella" will not do without special effects. The creators of the production promise that all the miracles declared in the plot of the fairy tale will also happen in front of the audience, on the stage of the Rossiya Theater.
Stage Entertainment, which produces musicals in Russia, has announced the casting results for the lead roles in the new play "Cinderella". Viewers will be able to see it this fall, the premiere will take place on October 1.
The casting for the fairy-tale production was not for children - over two thousand artists over the course of several months proved that they were worthy to present the heroes of Charles Perrault on the Russian stage. As a result, the role of Cinderella went to the famous actress of musicals, almost a professional "princess" Natalia Bystrova. In another cast, Cinderella will be played by Yulia Iva, who is familiar to the viewer from the role of Katie Selden in the production of Singing in the Rain. Natalia did not play in the theater regularly last year due to family circumstances - she became a mother and tried to devote as much time as possible to her son Elisha. However, she missed the stage and now admits that she is happy to return. The difficulties associated with a difficult schedule for a young mother do not frighten her.
“I am happy that I will play Cinderella, because her story is similar to my personal one,” says Natalia. “Ten years ago I came to Moscow from a provincial town and pulled out a lucky ticket, getting the main role in the musical MAMMA MIA! I am glad that I will return on the big stage in the role of Cinderella, in my "arsenal" this is the fourth Princess! I really missed the busy schedule, daily performances and look forward to starting rehearsals. "
Julia Iva in the musical "Singing in the Rain"
In the image of the Prince, Pavel Lyovkin, the performer of the role of the Beast in the musical "Beauty and the Beast", also known for his work at the Moscow Art Theater. A.P. Chekhov, and Elena Charkviani (The Phantom of the Opera, MAMMA MIA!) will appear before the audience as the Fairy Godmother. Also, theater and film actress Alena Khmelnitskaya will play in the new production. She will play the role of a stepmother and share it with Lika Rulla. For Alena, the experience of working in a musical will be the first.
"I really love the musical genre and I'm glad that it is now so popular in Russia. My theatrical career began with the rock opera Juno and Avos. I always dreamed of playing in a high-quality Broadway production - and now in October I will go on stage in a new in the musical "Cinderella" in the role of Madame (Stepmother).In the dramaturgy of the fairy tale, this particular character has always been very sympathetic to me.In our production, Madame is refined, luxurious, a little nervous, very ambiguous, and I hope that I can present my heroine in a new light "I believe that there are no absolutely negative characters and everything must have its own reason. In addition, I also have two daughters growing up, and this makes us related to my heroine."
"Cinderella" will be Stage Entertainment's tenth project in Russia and the first musical in history to be co-produced by Russia, England and the United States.
The first important warning is that viewers who buy tickets should not confuse the musicals "All About Cinderella" - it is already in its third season at the Musical Theater, and "Cinderella" - the first season has just opened at the Rossiya Theater. These are different productions and before going to the theater, it is better to decide in advance.
At the premiere of the new musical Cinderella, the children - especially the girls - came so beautiful, and moved so weightlessly along the stairs and floor strewn with sparkles of the Rossiya Theater, that every now and then adults turned to them with the question: "Are you playing the main role today ?".
But, if the children, during the performance, tried to remind Cinderella that the clock was about to strike 12, that she had to lose her shoe, and then pointed the prince’s guards in another direction so that they would not find the fugitive, then the adults had something to think about. The show is a family show. Of course, there were adults - for example, the general producer of the play Dmitry Bogachev - who, on the eve of the premiere, puzzled over how to turn a pumpkin into a carriage on stage. And, it must be said, in the Russian original production it was possible. Both Cinderella and the Fairy are transformed without even hiding behind the scenes. Animals turn into people and vice versa, almost the same in front of everyone. And in the case of the pumpkin, all the tricks are involved - light, moving projections, illumination ... Sleight of hand directors and no fraud.
But there were also adults at the premiere who suddenly thought about the special meaning of the fairy tale "Cinderella" specifically for Russia. And here is the second important warning. Because the viewer will not find a familiar plot in the new production. This is especially acute, not even when Cinderella "forgets" to lose her shoe, but as soon as the prince from the play arranges fair elections for the prime minister in his kingdom. It was then that thoughts come to mind that it is strange that the fairy tale "Cinderella" was not invented in Russia. Why does it come with us in countless variations - the theme of most films and TV shows, the basis for a considerable number of performances (and two musicals is not the limit)? Because who, no matter how our women, pulling a heavy load of problems, dream of a sudden beautiful dress, a good fairy and a prince. In countries with a high standard of living, this tale is already there. I wanted a pumpkin - at any time of the day. Call a budget "carriage" - please, outfits and balls - a dime a dozen. And all this is affordable. With princes it is more difficult, but only because women there do not treat men as princes in principle. Equality.
However, the musical "Cinderella" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein was first made as a television show (1957), and, therefore, responded to current "news" issues. He appeared on the Broadway stage far from immediately - just a few years ago - in 2013. And for some reason, this "topical Cinderella" - not quite the same as we are all used to seeing, turned out to be designed specifically for our country - this was seen by the producers who decided to stage this particular musical here and right now. But in the new Russian version - supplemented and in-depth. Since the time of the revolution, performances on a class theme have been going well here, and even with the theme of a popular uprising and the struggle for justice. There was a time - they were even staged on purpose - it was considered what kind of production without the struggle of the working class and the bourgeoisie?
But what fairy tale touches upon the theme of estates more than "Cinderella"? In the version to be seen in Moscow, children learn words such as the words "leader of the nation" (belong to Cinderella), "corruption", "contraindications", "revolution". They understand what it's like to walk around with slogans and pour soup to the poor. Moreover, the poor are pitied because their land is being taken away from them. But how could it be otherwise, because in the most romantic moment, Cinderella, instead of saying words of love to the prince in response, tells him that the poor are offended in his kingdom. In this musical, they say that a royal marriage, like a funeral, is a sure way to distract people from problems. And on this occasion, in the first part there is one of the most powerful scenes. On the one hand - calls for freedom, on the other - an invitation to the prince to the ball. Where will the people go? To the ball, of course.
In general, in some places this "Cinderella" is similar to "Spartacus", but this does not spoil it at all - it only adds humor and social sharpness. In addition, it gives the actors a chance to turn around. There are few new names for Russian fans of musicals. Julia Iva, who plays Cinderella, is already well known from "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast" and especially from "Singing in the Rain". The viewer is waiting for each appearance of the musical star Elena Charkviani, who plays the role of the "universal" fairy godmother. And in fact, I want to be personally acquainted with such a sorceress - this is how the actress plays. The role of the main "revolutionary" is played by Roman Aptekar, who, by the way, also played in the musical "All About Cinderella", and was also simply unique in the Russian version of "Singing in the Rain". Good in the role of Lord Pinkleton Igor Portnoy. Alexey Ivashchenko, who wrote the Russian text, made it extremely simple and understandable. The words fit easily into the music and are quickly remembered. So even after that you continue to sing "And so he sings, not knowing that it would be better not to sing", while noting with pleasure that this does not apply to the new performance. Or "There are a lot of strange people in the world, they are full of crazy ideas," realizing with satisfaction that this applies to the musical in the best possible way.
However, the main discovery of this performance is the actress Alena Khmelnitskaya, she is also the Stepmother, she is also Madame. The viewer knows her mainly as a dramatic actress, not remembering that she sang Conchita in the rock opera Juno and Avos. In the role of an intriguing stepmother, she is so characteristic and bright that the first bouquet of flowers after the premiere is, of course, given to her. Khmelnitskaya is "consonant" with Tatyana Kulakova, who plays the role of Cinderella's half-sister - Charlotte. The second act begins with a number designed for her heroine "What's Wrong with Men?"
And at the same time, it reminds that Cinderella can have any reading, but there is no longer a female fairy tale, because she, like on pedals, presses on all the most important and such simple feelings inherent in the "weaker sex". Beautiful dresses, exquisite jewelry, stylish shoes, jealousy, resentment and forgiveness, showdown, struggle for a man... How to keep secrets? How to get married - for love or for money? And an absolutely impossible disappointment in the princes, no matter what they - these princes - get up to ... That is why the most heartfelt number of the new production of "Cinderella" is not at all a popular revolt and not even the finale, where everyone and everything is in white, but the one where Madame with their three daughters dream aloud of true love.
