Good morning, everybody and welcome to The Balancing Act.
We are so glad you joined us.
I'm Julie Moran.
And I'm Olga Villaverde.
Today, we are so excited to kick off our Broadway Balances America series, once again, going
behind the scenes of Broadway's best shows as they travel across the country.
This is going to be awesome again.
So fun.
And we're beginning with Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which has a whole new look, sound,
and sensibility.
You know, it's hard to imagine that it was first written for television back in the 1950s
with Julie Andrews.
Did not know that.
She was the star seen by over a hundred million viewers, and only made it's Broadway debut
in 2013.
And we'll be talking to the folks behind this new contemporary take on the classic tale,
who brought it to Broadway and are now bringing it to a theatre near you for the very first
time.
I can't wait.
Plus, I'm going to be learning more about my numbers, more specifically cholesterol
levels, weight/height, and more as a portable biometrics testing center comes to The Balancing
Act.
It's part of a nationwide corporate wellness program.
Really handy information that you can get on the spot.
Love it.
The Balancing Act starts right now.
(music).
Broadway Balances America brought to you by Broadway Across America, bringing the best
of Broadway to a city near you.
We're once again heading to Broadway and beyond as our Broadway Balances America series takes
us behind the scenes of some of the most beloved Broadway musicals as they travel across the
country and into your local theatres.
Today, Balancing Act correspondent, Amber Milt, kicks it all off with the classic tale
of Cinderella, which has been thoroughly re-imagined and modernized.
That's right.
It's a story of female empowerment brought to life by an impressive creative team which
has found just the right balance in creating the Cinderella of the 21st century.
That's right, ladies.
This classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical made its Broadway debut just over two years
ago, and has been wowing audiences ever since with its contemporary approach to finding
our own happy endings.
As for the stars of the show, they're happily living their dreams on the road while balancing
motherhood, relationships, and more.
It still has all the magical elements from a glass slipper to a handsome prince.
(music).
But this Cinderella has a new look, sound, and sensibility.
This kindhearted Ella dreams of one day seeing the world and perhaps even changing it.
Let's talk about why you thought it was important to bring such a classic story to Broadway.
Cinderella is one of the most beloved fairy tales in the world.
Everyone can relate to it, everybody loves it, and we wanted to bring this glorious music
and this glorious show to Broadway.
But, it was very important to us that we make sure that our princess wasn't just a passive
damsel in distress.
We wanted to give her agency.
We wanted to make sure that she helped the prince as much as he helped her.
Kindness, compassion, and generosity - these are themes that are very important to us and
we're happy to bring to the larger audience.
(Singing) "In my own little corner in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to
be."
It was interesting that the way to make everything more current was actually to go back to the
original version, which was a French version by Charles Perrault.
Imagine someone who was a heroine because she was kind to people and forgave them.
I was just fascinated about the prince, and I thought it would be much more interesting
to tell boys and girls that perhaps you should be looking for the fascinating character and
the wonderful human being, and not just the pretty face.
The roles truly resonate with the two leads who play Ella and Topher, the prince.
We caught up with them on the national tour as they visited the Cleveland Botanical Gardens,
the perfect setting to talk about fairy tales, enchanted forests, and life on the road.
(Singing) "Ten minutes ago, I met you."
This Cinderella is empowered, or at least becomes empowered throughout the course of
the play.
She starts out as meek and mild as a mouse, like the lyrics of "In My Own Little Corner"
say, but she has a lot of real growth.
A lot of my own growth in my personal life connects a lot with Ella's life.
You really see her become this strong amazing woman, which is really exciting to play eight
times a week across the country.
(Singing) "And I like it so well that for all I can tell..."
Prince Topher, he's struggling to find his way.
He has inherited this enormous amount of responsibility, and he doesn't really know what he's doing.
(Singing) "I'm sorry to be so effusive.
I just met you.
I'm not usually this way with someone I've just met."
It's fun to see audiences relate to this guy who is actually falling in love with Cinderella
because she gives him the confidence he needs to be as great as he can be.
They empower each other.
A theme that's reinforced throughout this rebooted show and mirrors real life for these
actors.
This version of Cinderella has been a part of my life for a few years now, and I actually
met my husband through the process, and obviously had my son, Hank.
So, Cinderella is very special to me.
One of the reasons that Cinderella has persisted in every world culture for the past several
hundred years is because it's a story of hope.
It's an empowering story.
It's an inspirational story, and I think that little girls identify with it, of course.
But, as a guy in his 20s, I identify with it, too.
I was raised by two moms.
They had me together in the late 80s, and I didn't really realize that I was from a
different kind of a family until I grew up and I saw other families.
But, I still forget sometimes that I was raised in kind of a unique situation.
I feel incredibly lucky because I was raised with this unbelievable amount of love.
I was always encouraged to pursue what would make me happy.
And this unconditional love has inspired Andy.
(Singing) "My head started reeling you gave me the feeling the room had no ceiling or
floor."
There's something about having my moms come out and visit me on the tour.
They're so proud.
I have this incredible support system, and it kind of goes along with Cinderella.
You know, you can be whatever you want to be, and they really have been a big part of
making that possible for me.
Today, Paige, two and a half year-old Hank...
Where do I work?
Cinderella.
Plus Andy and his finance Audrey Cardwell, who's in the ensemble and is also Paige's
understudy are enjoying a day at the garden.
Can you wave to your fans?
What are you doing up there?
Hello Hank.
Life on the road isn't easy, and balance - that magical word - can sometimes be as elusive
as a glass slipper.
But, they've found a way to combine personal and professional goals.
My husband, Adam, is in New York, and we're on the road.
But, we've really kind of found a nice balance with all of it.
Well we miss you.
Miss you, too.
We try to never go more than two or three weeks without seeing each other.
It's definitely a scheduling tetris game of trying to make sure that Hank is 100% taken
care of.
That's my first priority.
But, then, also making sure I'm able to get enough sleep and eating right to do the show
100% as well.
We have been engaged for about a week and a half.
Not to spoil anything in the show, but there is a happy ending.
There may be a wedding.
I had proposed to Audrey a hundred some-odd times before.
So, I was -- thankfully, when it happened, it was its own special thing.
To play this part with someone that you're in love with is, there are no work apparently.
Occasionally I get to step in and do the part, which is a dream come true, and to do it with
Andy is really amazing.
I just constantly pinch myself.
I just kind of had a moment where I had to just thank the universe for this opportunity.
It's just, it's really amazing.
It's such a beautiful story to share.
(Singing) "Impossible things are happening every day."
The people have loved it.
We ran for two years on Broadway, and we won best costume design for William Ivey Long.
And we've been on tour now for about nine months.
We have another year plus on the road.
We're doing phenomenally well.
While the cities may change, the show remains constant.
No matter where we go, everything about the show is the same.
One of the things that I always rely on is the prop box, which holds the pumpkin that
becomes a carriage.
One of the fun facts about the pumpkin is it bounces.
These shoes were specifically designed for our production by Stuart Weitzman.
They're so comfortable and they're the only ones.
They don't sell them in stores.
They remain specifically for us.
And the award-winning show continues to captivate audiences across America.
(Singing) "I have found her..."
Through kindness you can change the word.
It's been fun to work on a show that you believe in.
People are walking away inspired, and that's a great reason to come to work.
My life has kind of turned into this happy ending with having, my husband, and my son,
and really the role of a lifetime.
It's funny because sometimes, like Ella, I don't feel like -- I'm like, do I deserve
this?
Like, everything's so beautiful.
You can have what you want in life.
It's just be sure to be responsible about it and be helpful to other people along the
way and you'll be fine.
(music).
(applause).
And we all deserve a happy ending, and a glass slipper, or maybe even a tiara.
The North American tour of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella continues.
To find out when it's coming to your own little corner of the world, check out BroadwayBalancesAmerica.com
or go to our website TheBalancingAct.com for all the show information, tour dates, and
more.
(music).
Thanks so much for starting your day with us.
Remember to check out BroadwayBalancesAmerica.com to find out when Cinderella is coming to your
city.
And, you know, I always dreamed of having a prince put a glass slipper on my...
Yes!
Me, too.
All girls do, right?
I'm still waiting.
Remember, we have lots more on our website, TheBalancingAct.com.
We're also on facebook and twitter.
Until next time.
Remember, find your balance.
So long, everybody.