The fairytale of Cinderella, as told by Disney, is one of the world’s most beloved fables of all time. The story is so popular that it has become a phrase used commonly in society to describe a rags-to-riches success story in modern times aptly called a “Cinderella story.”
Stories that begin with ‘once upon a time’ often follow a predictable storyline of struggles between good and evil and an outcome that makes everything right in the world. While the story of Cinderella and her evil stepsisters is no different, this story reminds us that a little kindness goes a long way.
The Story of Cinderella the Musical
Cinderella was once a French fairytale called Cendrillon, ou la petite pantoufle de verre (Cinderella or the little glass slipper), and was first published in 1697 in a book written by Charles Perrault. Fast forward a few centuries, Cinderella was remade into a musical based upon this original writing and with music by Richard Rodgers and a book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
As the story goes, Cinderella was the only child of a nobleman who remarried and she gained two stepsisters and a stepmother from that union. All three women were vain and loathed the kindness and sweetness of Cinderella. They clothed her in rags and made her work the most demeaning chores in the home including washing the floors and cleaning up after her stepsisters. Despite her circumstances, Cindrella continued to be a kind and patient person who was a dutiful daughter and sister.
One day a local prince decided to hold a royal ball. She helped make all the arrangements for her stepsisters and stepmother to attend in lovely ballgowns and jewels. She, however, was not allowed to attend the ball.
As she sat there crying on the evening of the big event, a Fairy Godmother appeared who would help her prepare for the ball because she was such a good girl, sister, and daughter. The magic of the Fairy Godmother transformed a pumpkin, six mice, and her clothing into a royal chariot, six horsemen, and the most beautiful ballgown there ever was right down to the glass slippers adorned on her feet.
As the story goes, Cinderella attended the ball only to have the best night of her life with the young prince. As the clock struck twelve, however, Cinderella’s dream evening came to an abrupt end as the magic wore off. The young prince spent many days trying to find the beautiful girl who stole his heart. In the end, Cinderella’s prince found her and they all lived happily ever after.
Backdrops for Cinderella
Several settings are required for the musical Cinderella to successfully draw the audience into the story. Two of the most important include Cinderella and her stepfamily’s home in what is described as a European-style home near farmlands.
The backdrop called European Village #2553 is appropriate to set the stage for the life that Cinderella was living with her cruel stepmother and vain stepsisters. Specifically, this backdrop includes Tudor-style buildings in the center of a European town and distant mountains.
Another main setting in the story of Cinderella is the palace of the young prince where he holds his royal ball. This Palace Interior Backdrop #2500 shows a royal staircase and purple draperies adorning the large ornate windows.
For a full list of our options for Cinderella backdrops please visit our website where you will be able to sort my musical or show.
