The musical "Cinderella" - how the fabulous premiere of the season is being prepared. Alena Khmelnitskaya and Natalia Bystrova will play the main roles in the new musical "Cinderella" The plot of the musical "Princess of the Circus"

Stage Entertainment, a musical production company 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.

Casting for a fabulous production was not childish - over two thousand artists for several months proved that they were worthy to represent the heroes of Charles Perrault on the Russian stage. As a result, the role of Cinderella went to the famous musical artist, practically professional "princess" Natalia Bystrova. In another cast, Cinderella will be played by Julia Iva, who is familiar to the viewer for her role as Katie Selden in the production of Singing in the Rain. Natalia last year did not play in the theater regularly 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 scare 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 city and pulled out a lucky ticket, getting the main role in the musical MAMMA MIA! I am glad to be back on the big stage in the role of Cinderella, in my "arsenal" this is already the fourth Princess! I really miss the busy schedule, daily performances and I look forward to the start of rehearsals. "

Yulia 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", will appear on the stage, also known for his work at the Moscow Art Theater. A.P. Chekhova, and Elena Charkviani ("The Phantom of the Opera", MAMMA MIA!) Will appear before the audience in the role of the fairy godmother. The theater and film actress Alena Khmelnitskaya will also play in the new production. She will play the role of a stepmother and share her with Lika Rulla. For Alena, the experience of working in a musical will be the first.

"I really love the musical genre and am glad that it is so popular in Russia now. My theatrical career began with the rock opera Juno and Avos." the musical "Cinderella" as Madame (Stepmother). In the drama of a fairy tale, I have always been very sympathetic to this particular character. 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 there must be a reason for everything. In addition, I also have two daughters growing up, and this makes us akin to my heroine. "

"Cinderella" will be the tenth project of Stage Entertainment in Russia and the first ever musical co-produced by Russia, England and the United States.

Look at the photo report site with an 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. The Stage Entertainment theater company is staging its tenth anniversary musical performance in Moscow. This fall, residents of the capital will be able to enjoy the absolute Broadway hit - 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. All their own, dear, 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.

The director of the Russian version of the musical, winner of the Laurence Olivier highest theater award, 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 clear to both the child and the adult. Our performance differs 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 by 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 metropolitan productions does not go into pantomime. On the contrary, the performance raises very serious and urgent topics. For example, Cinderella, that is, Ella, is not a timid, quiet and shy girl here, as we are used to seeing 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 the galloping horse, and disassemble the buckwheat with rice. In general, everything is like in life.

In addition, be prepared for other changes in the plot of a traditional fairy tale. Cinderella will go to the ball not once, but twice. She is also friends with one of her half-sisters and helps her arrange her personal life. The stepmother is not that evil, but just mischievous. It is played, by the way, by the 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 the artists, directors, orchestra musicians put into their work, I began to respect the musical genre even more. I also really like my heroine - she is, of course, bitchy, obsessed with herself, but still there is something good in her. Daughters, again, wants to successfully marry ... And besides, she is so stylish! You have no idea how I like her outfits, and especially the fantastic beauty of the hat.

And it's hard to disagree with Alena. The decoration, as always, is amazing. Dresses for Cinderella and costumes of other characters were created under the strict guidance of Tatyana Noginova in the workshops of the Mariinsky Theater. In total, more than 200 outfits were sewn for the performance. “Where are the famous Cinderella shoes?” You ask. Of course, where are we without magic shoes! The shoes were made especially for the musical by the Bakhmetev Crystal House. This is a real work of art, believe me! You can see them in the foyer of the Rossiya Theater, where all spectators will be allowed to touch them and make a wish. They say it will come true. Returning to the play, set designer David Gallo was in charge of the scenery - this, by the way, he created a 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 the year before last tried on the role of the Beast. Now the artist, without fearsome makeup and with a crystal shoe in his hand, will look for his one and only. And Cinderella will be alternately played by the already recognized musical stars Yulia Iva and Natalia Bystrova. You can remember the first from your participation in the play Singing in the Rain, and the last from the musical The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.

Russian "Cinderella" will not do without special effects. The creators of the production promise that all the miracles declared according to the plot of the fairy tale will happen in front of the audience, on the stage of the Rossiya Theater.

Anastasia

Life style

The Rossiya Theater hosted an open rehearsal of the musical Cinderella, which will premiere on October 1 at the Rossiya Theater. An international creative team that brought together the best specialists from Russia, Great Britain and the United States, literally in front of the media representatives, brought the final touches to the pattern of the new musical - the original Russian production borrows only the libretto and songs of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein from the Broadway performance.

Alena Khmelnitskaya as Madame, a scene from the musical

“The project turned out to be much more complicated than we could have imagined,” said Dmitry Bogachev, the producer of the musical, the 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 comply with the conventions dictated by the tale of Charles Perrault, not to violate its romantic uplifting, delicate beauty. "

Pavel Levkin, Prince Topher

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“On the other hand, we are telling a new, more interesting and relevant story for today with a greater 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 can't fool them! In addition, this is already the tenth performance for us - the guests of our performances are waiting for new impressions and surprises. As for Cinderella, then all the surprises will happen before the audience right before their eyes - the pumpkin turns into a carriage, a raccoon and a chanterelle - into coachmen ... Cinderella herself will transform right in the dance - a shabby poor outfit will become a dazzling ball gown. And starting from October 1, everyone will be able to witness these miracles - this will be the world premiere of a Russian production! "

Dmitry Bogachev, producer of the musical

At an open rehearsal, Cinderella's production director and Laurence's highest theater award winner Olivier Lindsay Posner worked with actors on acting; choreographer-director Irina Kashuba verified the dance pattern literally by a centimeter, and the musical supervisor of the musical Yevgeny Zagot corrected the most complex polyphony.

Lindsay Posner, musical director

"Cinderella" is a wonderful story about a young girl and a handsome Prince, in which serious things are told by means available to both adults and children, ”says Posner. - Our performance differs 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 by Chekhov. You know, working with such material as "Cinderella" it is easy to go into pantomime. Meanwhile, the characters of the musical are convex, they are worthy of their story. In any case, this production will be equally interesting for both children and their parents, I hope we will soon be able to surprise you! "

At the rehearsal, the best numbers performed by the musical artists were presented, including Alena Khmelnitskaya as Madame, Yulia Iva and Natalia Bystrova in the images of Cinderella - before and during the ball, Pavel Levkin as Prince Topher and others.

Alena Khmelnitskaya as Madame, Tatiana Kulakov and Ekaterina Barkova as sisters

“I really love the musical genre, but I have always been just a spectator,” Alena Khmelnitskaya admitted. - When I was invited to "Cinderella" and I passed the casting, I realized that I feel very organic in this new role. I am insanely grateful to all my colleagues: wherever I cast a glance, there are relatives everywhere, who very much supported me, and now we are a single organism. Moreover, when I found myself inside this process and saw what inhuman work the artists, directors, and orchestra musicians put into their work, I began to respect this genre even more ”.

“In general, I really like my heroine - she is, of course, bitchy, obsessed with herself, but still there is something good in her - she again wants to marry her daughters successfully, for example ... And then, she is so stylish: how I like her outfits, and especially the fantastic beauty of the hat! In general, it is better to see all this with your own eyes than to tell. "

Alena Khmelnitskaya as Madame

“My heroine is by no means a naive, timid girl, as we are used to seeing 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 please both adults and children.

Julia Iva, Cinderella

In addition, journalists were the first to see the unique costumes created in the Mariinsky Theater workshops under the direction of costume designer Tatyana Noginova, and the scenery from the creator of the Beauty and the Beast musical set, renowned production designer David Gallo.

“Different classes of people are presented in the performance, and for each of them we used different fabrics,” Tatiana Noginova shared the secrets of the wardrobe department. - When creating sketches, I was inspired by the Rococo era, the collections of Alexander McQueen. The biggest difficulties I encountered while creating a dress for the Fairy - I got knocked off my feet in search of a “magic” fabric ”.

The first important warning is that spectators who buy tickets should not confuse the musicals "All About Cinderella" - it is already its third season at the Musical Theater, and "Cinderella" - the first season at the Rossiya Theater has just opened with its premiere. These are different productions and before going to the theater, it is better to decide in advance.

Children - especially girls - came to the premiere of the new musical "Cinderella" so beautiful, and so weightlessly moved along the stairs and the floor covered with sparkles of the Rossiya Theater that every now and then adults asked them the question: "Are you playing the main role today? ? ".

But, if during the performance the children were trying to remind Cinderella that the clock was about to strike 12, that she needed to lose her shoe, and then pointed the prince's guards in a different direction so that they would not find the fugitive, then the adults had something to think about. The performance is a family one. Of course, there were adults - for example, the general producer of the play Dmitry Bogachev - who, on the eve of the premiere, racked their brains over how to turn a pumpkin into a carriage on stage. And, I must say, in the Russian original production it succeeded. Both Cinderella and 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 ... The director's sleight of hand and no fraud.

But there were also such adults at the premiere who suddenly thought about the special significance of the fairy tale "Cinderella" for Russia. And here is the second important warning. Because the viewer will not find a familiar plot in the new production. This is felt especially acutely, 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 the 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 series, the basis for a considerable number of performances (and two musicals are not the limit)? Because who, no matter how our women, who are carrying 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. "Carriage" budget call - please, dresses and balls - a dime a dozen. And all this is affordable. It is more difficult with princes, but only because women there do not treat men as princes in principle. Equality.

However, the musical "Cinderella" by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein was first made as a TV show (1957), and, therefore, responded to current "news" problems. On the Broadway stage, he did not appear immediately - just a few years ago - in 2013. And for some reason this "topical Cinderella" - not exactly what we are all used to seeing, turned out as if it was 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 - augmented and in-depth. Since the time of the revolution, we have had performances on a class theme, and even with the theme of popular uprising and the struggle for justice. There was a time - they were even staged on purpose - was it considered what kind of staging without the struggle of the working class and the bourgeoisie?

But what fairy tale touches upon the topic of estates more than Cinderella? In the version to be seen in Moscow, children learn words such as "leader of the nation" (belongs to Cinderella), "corruption", "contraindications", "revolution". They understand what it is like to go around with slogans and pour soup to the poor. Moreover, they pity the poor, because their land is taken away from them. And how could it be otherwise, because at the most romantic moment, Cinderella, instead of saying words about love to the prince in return, tells him that the poor are offended in his kingdom. In this musical it is said that a royal wedding, like a funeral, is a sure way to distract people from problems. And on this occasion, the first part has one of the most powerful scenes. On the one hand, there are 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 acuteness. In addition, it gives the actors a turn. There are few new names for Russian musical fans. Julia Iva, playing 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 every 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, played in the musical "All About Cinderella", and was also simply unique in the Russian version of "Singing in the Rain". Igor Portnoy is good in the role of Lord Pinkleton. Alexey Ivaschenko, who wrote the Russian text, made it extremely simple and understandable. Words easily fit into music and are quickly remembered. So after that you continue to hum "And so he sings, not knowing but that it would be better if he didn’t sing," while noting with pleasure that this does not apply to the new performance. Or "There are many strange people in the world, they are full of crazy ideas" with satisfaction knowing that this applies to the musical in the best sense.

However, the main discovery of this performance is the actress Alena Khmelnitskaya, she is the Stepmother, she is Madame. The viewer knows her mainly as a dramatic actress, without recalling 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 put to her. Khmelnitskaya is "consonant" with Tatiana Kulakova, playing the role of Cinderella's half-sister - Charlotte. The second act begins with a number designed for her heroine, "What's wrong with men?"

At the same time, it reminds us that "Cinderella" can have any reading, but there is no longer a woman's fairy tale, because she, like on the 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, fight for a man ... How to keep secrets? How to get married - for love or for money? And absolutely impossible disappointment in the princes, whatever they - these princes - do ... That is why the most heartfelt number of the new production of "Cinderella" is not at all a popular revolt and not even the ending, where everything and everything is in white, but the one where Madame is with their three daughters aloud dreaming of true love.

On October 1, on the stage of the Rossiya Theater, the premiere of the musical Cinderella, which conquered Broadway, will take place. 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 Julia 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 United States, will tell Charles Perrault's favorite fairy tale in a completely different way, surprise 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, first performed in the legendary TV musical of the same name in 1957.

The performance will be the tenth musical staged in Moscow by Stage Entertainment, familiar to Russian audiences for 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, the tale of 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 an Emmy Award for Best Musical Contribution to Television, and the TV musical was watched by over 100 million people. Since then, numerous stage versions of Cinderella have appeared around the world, including a Christmas pantomime in London and an opera in New York. The musical Cinderella, staged in 2013 on Broadway in New York, won a Tony Award in 9 nominations.

Crystal slippers are created by the Bakhmetev Crystal House

What's new in the Russian version?

“The project turned out to be much more complicated than we could have imagined,” said Dmitry Bogachev, the producer of the musical, the 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, 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 can't fool them! As for Cinderella, then all the surprises will happen before the audience right before their eyes - the pumpkin turns into a carriage, a raccoon and a chanterelle - into horses ... Cinderella herself will transform right in the dance - a shabby poor outfit will become a dazzling ball gown. "

At the rehearsal, the best performances performed by the musical artists were presented, including Alena Khmelnitskaya in the role of Madame (as the stepmother is called in the musical), Yulia Iva and Natalia Bystrova in the images of Cinderella - before and during the ball, Pavel Levkin as Prince Topher.

“My heroine is by no means a naive, timid girl, as we are used to seeing 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 please 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, renowned production designer David Gallo.

“The biggest difficulties I faced while creating a dress for the Fairy - I got knocked off my feet in search of a“ magic ”fabric. As a result, the outfit was made of several materials: gauze, tulle, tulle with a sparkle, brocade - this combination created the effect of a butterfly wing in the dress. We also made a very complex cloak for the Fairy, using the technology of felting felt, so that the costume would be as similar as possible to the robe of a beggar woman. 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 for the performance seven times, and in total, more than 200 outfits have been made for the musical, ”said costume designer Tatyana Noginova.

Starting from October 1, everyone will be able to witness the magic himself: in this beautiful performance, many miracles will take place right before your eyes, which so excited the imagination in childhood: the pumpkin will surely turn into a luxurious carriage, rough shoes will become crystal shoes, and the trusting Prince will suddenly ... However, see for yourself: the magic begins!