“Cinderella” shines onstage at BHS

I watched the Burroughs High School production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Cinderella” on opening night and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was phenomenal! From the beginning to the end, all the cast members showed enthusiasm and passion for their roles. It was really fun seeing my peers’ talents outside of the classroom, and the costumes went so well with the acts.

This is the first time I’ve been to a Burroughs play, and after seeing this one, I regret not coming to the others. The Drama/Music department’s production kept me engaged throughout. My favorite part was watching Cinderella’s stepsisters and stepmom (played by Natalie Bravo, Genevieve Welsh, and Julia Rindt) interact with each other. The anger and jealousy in their voices sounded so real and they were definitely the most entertaining when it came to making the audience laugh.

I was surprised when Cinderella (Kayla Walter) was able to go back and forth to complete her step-family’s chores. Knowing me, I probably would’ve fallen trying to keep up. This small aspect of the play revealed how much time and practice it took to make everything run smoothly.

The entire audience was awed by everyone’s singing voice, especially that of Prince Charming (Alex Vargas). During intermission, I could hear people around me discussing how amazing everyone sounded, and they all mentioned that Prince Charming’s voice shocked them.

I loved seeing the sudden shift in the ballroom scene when Cinderella entered the room. When Prince Charming was trying to find a princess, he clearly looked miserable, and so did everyone else. When Cinderella walked into the room, everyone’s mood shifted to smiles and happiness. Showing specific emotions is so crucial to make sure the audience understands the vibes of the play, and I believe the cast deserved a standing ovation for that.

Citlali Tellez’ entrance as the Fairy Godmother was elegant. When she randomly made stuff appear, at some moments I didn’t even realize that people were placing objects to make it seem like magic. It all happened so quickly to the point where even I was surprised. Kudos to the stage crew and manager.

When the play finished, the enthusiasm didn’t stop. The cast members came out and had their final exit planned, whether it was coming out in groups, in pairs, or as an individual. I could see they were all passionate about making the play come to life.

Without a doubt, I recommend that everyone should come and watch the play! The two remaining days are tonight at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 18 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from Red Rock Books, cast and crew members, or from PPAC 5 at lunch and after school.