The story of Cinderella is a timeless story, told and retold in different ways, and the musical production from Rodgers and Hammerstein by Performance Riverside, opening in the Landis Performing Arts Center, takes on the classic with a version that brings agency, social justice, and musical numbers you'll be humming as you leave the theatre.

Performance Riverside, originally known as RCC-CLO, has been a part of the Riverside City College (RCC) Campus since it's founding in 1983 and calls the Landis Performing Arts Center its home. It has been a focal point of the RCC arts program and has provided students and the community with quality Broadway musicals and this performance of Cinderella continues that tradition.

If you are only familiar with the Disney tale of Cinderella, you'll notice a few differences in this story, created by Rodgers and Hammerstein based off the French version Cendrillon ou la Petite Pantoufle de Verre, by Charles Perrault. The familiar characters of Cinderella, her wicked stepmother, and step-sisters, her fairy godmother, and the prince looking for love are all here, but with some new faces, like Sebastian, the prince's scheming advisor, and Jean-Michel, the revolutionary looking to bring social and economic change to the people.

Sami Nye, portraying Cinderella, brings an elegance and charm to the character, and a definite chemistry with the leading man, Ryan Perry Marks, playing Prince Topher. Returning to Performance Riverside for these roles, they have starred together in the production of Mary Poppins as Mary Poppins and Bert. Ryan Perry Marks has such an exuberance in his role as the gallant, but naive prince, who discovers his own agency all while stumbling into love.

Karla J. Franko, also returning after a role in Mary Poppins, is perfectly cast as Madame, the selfish and conniving step-mother. Franko also shows great chemistry with Kevin Beaty who plays the role of Sebastian, the equally selfish and conniving advisor to the prince, as the two scheme a way for Gabrielle to catch the eye of the prince. Franko's facial expressions and overall demeaner in this role are hilariously amazing and bring the character to life.

Beaty's performance is also so much fun as you can tell how much he is enjoying himself, and that comes through in the character who knows he is above them all, and loves that high perch. Sebastian's Familiar, played by Beaty's real life dog Dee Dee Beaty, steals the scene whenever she's on stage.

Carter Friedhof, in the role of Jean-Michel, the young revolutionary who demands justice for the people from the prince, does such a great job with this character. The character of Jean-Michel has the disadvantage of potentially being a surprise to an audience unfamiliar with this version of the story, and the character could easily become overbearing and preachy, but Friedhof does an amazing job with delivering a character that is easy to fall in love with and cheer for as he builds his confidence throughout the story.

Holly Santiago, who plays the role of the fairy godmother, is just simply spectacular. Her voice and range as she sings are stunning and her expressive delivery of her characters makes you laugh, makes you cry, and will definitely make you want more.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella The Broadway Musical opens Friday Feb 2nd, and will run this weekend and next with showtimes at 2pm and 7pm, and the final performance on Sunday Feb 11 at 2pm. Tickets are available at the online box office, but don't delay, they are going fast.