ERIKA BALDWIN as Ella and Adriana Sanchez as Marie in “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” at the Gem Theater in Garden Grovee.

By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune

There will be no “Bibbity Bobbity Boo”, here. (And that’s just fine.)

Closing out their spectacular 2024 season, director Damien Lorton and the One More Productions troupe present the classic “Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”, playing through December 15 at the Gem Theater in Garden Grove.

You already know the players: the buoyant, gentle Ella (Erika Baldwin), nicknamed “Cinderella” by her callous stepmother Madame (Peter Crisafulli) and temperamental stepsisters Gabrielle and Charlotte (Kari Wilhelm & Abigail Matossian), as well as the handsome Prince Topher (Bryan Fraser); but there’s the intriguing supporting players as well, including the mysterious beggar woman Marie (Adriana Sanchez), the plucky firebrand Jean-Michel (Hayden Andrew), and the prince’s devious advisors Sebastian (James Scognamillo) and Lord Pinkleton (Trevin Stephenson).

Ella suffers unceasing ridicule at the hands of Madame and her daughters, made to cook and clean while constantly berated by them; but when Sebastian and Lord Pinkleton advise Prince Topher to hold a ball to find a suitable marriageable woman of the kingdom, Ella finds herself daydreaming of what it would be like to attend… much to the cynical amusement of her family.

Meanwhile, the agitator Jean-Michel plans to let the prince know of the inequities in the kingdom – unfair taxation, the poor losing their homes – all the things that Sebastian has been keeping him in the dark about. And while Madame wants one of her daughters to wed the prince, the young revolutionary has caught the fancy of Gabrielle.

If only Ella had someone in her corner to help her attend the ball and find her true love… maybe even a fairy godmother, perhaps?

This 2024 Gem Theater season goes out in style with this classic version of the Cinderella tale, and the cast is mesmerizing. There’s deft choreography executed by the main cast and supporting ensemble, stunning musical performances by Baldwin and the company, and some wonderful laugh out loud moments provided by many of the players; including Andrew’s Jean-Michel, Stephenson’s Lord Pinkleton and Matossian’s Charlotte (who has an excellent solo in the second act).

Crisafulli dominates the stage when appearing as the sneering Madame, Fraser is tremendous as the charming and kind-hearted Prince Topher, and Scognamillo is delightfully oily as Sebastian. (And Sanchez is typically marvelous, as she always elevates the quality of any show she’s in.)

And what can be said of Ms. Baldwin, that hasn’t been said before?

An unfathomable degree of talent, with vocal skills that can be described as nothing less than angelic – and as with other productions she has headlined, her portrayal of the gentle Ella can truly bring one to tears with the beauty of her performance.

A beautiful, moving, fun show for all ages, “Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”  is a treat for the whole family, and still playing for another few weeks at the Gem Theater: give yourself an early Christmas present and see it now.

“Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”: Erika Baldwin, Bryan Fraiser and Peter Crisafulli star in this rousing production of a beloved Broadway classic. Now playing through December 15 at The Gem Theater 12852 Main St., Garden Grove, CA, 92840. Call 714-741-9550 x221 or email boxoffice@onemoreproductions.com for ticketing information.