What does a classic fairy tale look like in the year 3017? If the production of Interstellar Cinderella is any indication, the future of a good story is safe, with positivity and learning as well as an upgrade to surroundings that revolve around rocket engines, robots and very flashy space suits.
Blasting Off with Interstellar Cinderella
Perfect Family Friendly Theater
Brought to you by children’s singer/songwriter, Laurie Berkner, and Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the New York City Children’s Theater, Barbara Zinn Krieger, Interstellar Cinderella is a new musical the whole family can enjoy.
The theater itself is small, intimate, and charming. With only 7 rows, it is perfectly sized for pint-sized guests, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house! Even a seat in one of the back rows of the theater could see perfectly. The show targets children aged 4–8, but the script, acting, and musical performances are good enough to keep older kids and adults thoroughly entertained as well.
No worries about arriving at the theater early and keeping the kids busy, the theater brilliantly provided (free!) crafts and activities for kids before the doors opened.
Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg. From L-R: Sam McLellan (Prince Astral,) Cynthia Nesbit (Gidra,) Angela Travino (Stepmother) and Joyah Love Spangler (Hully)
Blast off with a new take on a Classic Story
Interstellar Cinderella is a futuristic retelling of the classic, set in the year 3017. The title character, named Cinderella, is a space mechanic who lives in the basement of her family’s spaceship, fixing and programming the household devices for her mean stepmother and stepsisters. With her father “lost in space”, Cinderella is sentenced to live in the basement of her step-mother’s house where she is ordered non-stop by her step-sisters to fix this, fix that. If it wasn’t for her close friend, a robotic mouse named Mergatroyd, she would have no one to talk with and share her dream of traveling the galaxy.
When the prince announces there will be a space parade with judging of rockets and also a royal ball to follow, Cinderella realizes this is her chance to show off her latest invention, a rocket that is 10 times safer than any current model. Of course, her step-mother has other plans, stealing her tools and leaving her locked away in the basement, increasing the odds the prince will pick one of the step-sisters. Luckily, Mergatroyd has connections to robot fairy god mothers who quickly help Cinderella find her tools (including a special wrench) and ensure she has a proper space suit for the ball.
When she arrives not only does she fix the prince’s rocket, but also wins the parade and the heart of the prince. In the end, the prince finds Cinderella and offers his hand in marriage only to be turned down as Cinderella is not interested in marriage. What’s second best to a marriage proposal? Being offered the job of Chief Rocket Technician by the prince, where Cinderella will live at the palace and enjoy the life of royalty, with the shared dream of one day exploring the galaxy with her new friend, the prince.
Meeting the talented cast of Interstellar Cinderella
Interstellar Cinderella
At the end of the show, the entire theater was dancing in their seats with a fun singalong to “Rocketship Run.” The perfect dance-off ending to this amazing blast-off performance for children. Be sure to miss this out of this world theater experience!
- DURATION: 50 Minutes
- AGE RECOMMENDATION: 4-8 years of age
- CAST: Meadow Tien Nguy, Sam McLellan, Cynthia Nesbit, Joyah Love Spangler, and Angela Travino
- WHEN: Now through- December 18, 2017 | Sensory Friendly: Sat, Dec 9 @ 11am
- WHERE: The Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row | 410 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
- TICKETS: General Seating: $29.25, Premium Seating: $49.25. $1 lap seating for children under the age of two (2) will be available for purchase the day of the performance at the box office (cash only) . Tickets HERE
A huge thank you to the New York City Children’s Theater for graciously hosting our visit to the show. As always, all opinions and commentary are our own.
