Paolo & Jessica Around Town!

I had the pleasure of spending a few mornings with Paolo Montalban, the Prince, and Jessica Rush, Cinderella, last week. I took them on several media interviews. It's always great to talk to the actors outside of rehearsal and get to know them a little bit better! Here are a few photos I took.

On the set of My Carolina Today with Page Crawford

In the 93.9 KISS FM studio with Dave Kent

Here is a link to the My Carolina Today interview: http://www.mycarolinatoday.com/. Scroll to the story labeled 'Cinderella by Kim Green' and check it out!

Paolo was also on WRAL's Noon News last Friday. Click here for the interview!

Click here for Paolo and Jessica's interview on MIX 101.5.

Tracey Early also had Paolo and Jessica in the studio for an In Depth interview on the show. In case you missed it, click here.

As you can see, we had a great time! Hope you enjoy these interviews.

Q&A with Gabriel Barre, director of NCT's Cinderella!

DIRECTOR’S QUESTIONS

1. When did you first see or read or hear about this show? Have you ever worked on a previous production of this show? If so, when and where?

I collaborated with Tom Briggs and Andrew Lippa in adapting this show for the stage in 1999 from the original version written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for television in 1957. I then directed the production of the show in 2000 which toured the country for three years starring Eartha Kitt, Jamie Lynne Siegler, Deborah Gibson and Paolo Montalban. I have since directed this production at other theaters including the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey, and the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine starring Leslie Uggams.

2. What do you like BEST about this show? What made you WANT to direct it?

I was very interested in helping create a fresh view of this beloved tale and to rediscover its relevance, particularly for an American audience. The themes about beauty coming from within and the importance of the imagination and dreams to survive any hardship also resonate deeply with me.

3. Briefly summarize the PLOT of this show in your own words. Please explain the SITUATION at the start of the show and how the various CHARACTERS fit in. (In your summary, please indicate the ACTOR’S NAME in parentheses following the character’s name.)

Most people are familiar with the story of Cinderella so I will use this opportunity to point out some of the features of other versions of the tale that we are incorporating into this production. The story itself goes back to the 7th century in China, hence the notion of equating beauty with small feet and the idea of a dainty lost slipper to be used to identify the Princes bride to be. There have been hundreds of incarnations of the story and every country has their own cultural version. The most commonly known here was written in France in the 1600's which led to our Walt Disney cartoon version that came out in the 1950's and was undoubtedly the version that Rodgers and Hammerstein would have been most familiar with. Ideas that we have taken from other versions of the tale include the notion of the Fairy Godmother as the spirit of Cinderella's deceased mother; the idea of a tree in Cinderella's back yard which is planted over her mothers grave; and the addition of an entourage of animals as Cinderella's friends and confidents. It has been very interesting to understand the significance fairy tales have on our own maturation and the way children learn.

4. What MAJOR CHALLENGES does staging this show present to you as a director -- and to your cast and creative team?

Every show has it's challenges and this one includes the magical elements of the story that really have to be delivered to an expectant audience in a spectacular way. It's also important to surprise the audience even though they will all know the story going in. We are blessed to have a great cast, crew and design team to realize this vision and to do so within the budgets of time and money one inevitably faces in any theatrical endeavor.

5. Please describe the SET:

The original designers and I worked hard to remove the show from the Austrian / middle European normal setting for the fairy tale and create a sort of modern parallel fantasy kingdom....using Gaudi and more middle and far eastern influences. The setting is lyrical and simple and introduces some of the elements from other versions of the story.

6. Please describe the LIGHTING:

The lighting will be colorful and poetic while really helping the audience follow the action and isolate the events the way a camera might (especially important considering the show was originally written for television).

7. Please describe the COSTUMES:

Fitting in with the fantasy kingdom mentioned above, the costumes are very colorful and bold. Featuring a lot of asymmetry and, especially in the case of the stepfamily, outlandishness and humor.

8. Is there ANYTHING ELSE about this show -- or your production -- that it is important for the audience to know ahead of time? If so, what?

Just that this is the 10th year that this production has been entertaining audiences and that it has brought a lot of new and young fans to the material of Rodgers and Hammerstein and we are proud that the production contains important, positive and meaningful messages for those audiences, young and old....

Cinderella Cast Announced

Paolo Montalban (Prince Christopher) reprises his role from the hit Disney movie Cinderella as "Prince Christopher." Broadway/National Tours: The King & I, Man of La Mancha, Pacific Overtures, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Film/TV: Adjustment Bureau, Just Wright, Live from Lincoln Center: Camelot, Law & Order: SVU, The Great Raid.

Jessica Rush (Cinderella) Broadway's Gypsy and Guys & Dolls. National Tours: Mamma Mia! and Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Jimmie Lee Brooks III (Chorus)

Jennifer Cannon (Chorus)

Andrew Chappelle* (Chorus)

Joseph Cullinane* (Chorus)

Leah Darby* (Chorus)

Harriett D. Foy (Fairy Godmother)

Jennifer Frankel* (Joy, Stepsister)

Stacey Harris* (Chorus)

Christine Hunter* (Queen Constantina)

Caroline Jordan (Chorus)

Robert Mark Kaufman (Chorus)

Everett Quinton (Stepmother)

Peyton Royal* (Chorus)

Stephen Schellhardt* (Lionel, Royal Steward)

Mary Simmons (Chorus)

C.E. Smith* (King Maximillian)

Louise Stewart* (Grace, Stepsister)

Lilly Tobin (Chorus)

Lee A. Wilkins* (Chorus)

Do you have your tickets yet? Click here if you don't - it will be an entertaining evening for the entire family! The show runs April 10-18 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.

The Full Monty Auditions - Raleigh & NYC

Auditions for The Full Monty and Cinderella were last Sunday, December 12th in Raleigh and they were a huge success. We had a ton of new faces show up and are so pleased with the turnout. It was particularly interesting and challenging this time around because we were holding auditions for two completely different productions. The Full Monty director (Matt Lenz) & choreographer (Joshua Rhodes) flew in along with Cinderella director (Gabriel Barre) & choreographer (Jennifer Paulson Lee). Casey Hushion, NCT's artistic director, and Carolee Baxter, NCT's producer were there also. While it was a long day - we had callbacks later that night - we saw many talented singers and dancers from the Raleigh area.

The next morning, Sunday December 13, we flew up to New York City to hold The Full Monty auditions. On Monday we held appointments at Ripley Grier Studios and saw LOTS of people - practically everyone showed up and it was a crazy day! Call backs were on Tuesday, and those who made it to that round were given 'sides' for a particular character and a song that the character sings, and came back to read/sing those for the creative team on Tuesday. They definitely have some tough decisions to make - so many talented people came in - I can't wait to find out who is cast and share it with you!

While the auditions did make for long days, we were able to do some fun things at night! It was absolutely beautiful (but freezing) in the city - all of the Christmas decorations are up and it was really nice being up there right before the holidays. Carolee and I saw Next to Normal, which was great but very sad. The cast was phenomenal and it was Alice Ripley's birthday the night we saw it! She came out of the stage door and everyone sang 'happy birthday'.

The next night I saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and it was SO amazing! Our very own conductor/musical director Edward G. Robinson led the orchestra and it was so much fun to see him up there. He was truly a rock star. A few different times they would raise the pit and he was singing and doing a fabulous job. After the show was over, he took me backstage. I got to meet Ted, the camel (see picture), which was the highlight of the tour for me! The theatre and stage is massive, so it was interesting to see how everything fit together back there - one big puzzle piece. The Rockettes were always in sync and a lot of fun to watch - if you get the chance to go up there at Christmastime, you should definitely see this show. Special thanks to Eddy for taking me backstage - I had a blast!

Full Monty & Cinderella Auditions!

NC Theatre Auditions in Raleigh for

THE FULL MONTY and CINDERELLA (ENCHANTED EDITION)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2009

Seeking male and female singers, actor/singers and singers who dance.

All ethnicities are encouraged to audition.

Time: Vocal auditions begin at 2:30 PM, Saturday, December 12th.

Location: NC Theatre Studios/Conservatory (3043 Barrow Drive Raleigh, NC 27616)

Sign up: You may sign up for auditions ahead of time by calling Carolee Baxter (all contact information is below). To sign up ahead of time you must email, fax or mail your headshot (or photo) and resume and give your phone number, email and address (if it is not on your resume). Specific appointment times are not given. All auditionees are seen first come/first serve starting at 2:30 PM based on sign in position. Calling ahead gets your name on the list so you do not have to wait in line to sign up on the day of auditions. On the day of auditions, walk-ins will be accepted on a time available basis in the order in which he/she signs in. There is no fee associated with these auditions.

Please bring:

1. Two copies of headshot/resume.

2. Sheet music in your key. Audition song should be a musical theatre selection or piece in the style of the show that shows your vocal range and ability. Be prepared to sing 16 bars or more if asked. Accompanist provided by NC Theatre (no taped accompaniment or accapella allowed).

3. Loose clothing or dance attire, soft soled shoes or jazz and/or ballet shoes for callbacks.

Callbacks: Callbacks for both THE FULL MONTY and CINDERELLA (ENCHANTED EDITION) are the same day following the vocal auditions. Callbacks will include movement, reading and possibly more vocals.

Pay/contract: All adult roles (ages 18+) are paid. North Carolina Theatre employs Equity and nonEquity performers.

Please click the show specific audition links below for detailed information on audition procedures, age ranges being cast, roles available, show director and choreographer, rehearsal and performance dates and content.

THE FULL MONTY - AUDITIONS (ages 18+)

CINDERELLA (ENCHANTED EDITION) - AUDITIONS (ages 16+)

To sign up to audition for THE FULL MONTY and/or CINDERELLA (ENCHANTED EDITION) on Saturday, December 12th or for more information after reading the details in the above links, please contact Carolee Baxter at 919/831-6941 x6945 or cbaxter@nctheatre.com. Photos and resumes can be emailed to the above email address, faxed to 919/831-6951 or mailed to: North Carolina Theatre, attn: Carolee Baxter, One East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

NOTE: Please check www.nctheatre.com/theatre/auditions.html frequently for audition updates or possible changes.