Following bows, leading man Santino Fontana grabbed the microphone and, to facilitate the surprise element, announced that a "special promotion" was being held. He called out two not-so-random seat numbers and asked whoever happened to be sitting there to come to the stage. In these seats were Kunal Ghose and Jason Aronne.
As the men were brought around to the stage, Fontana entertained the crowd with some off-the-cuff banter mainly concerning tiaras.
It was then that the couple took center stage and Ghose, an engineer originally from India, proposed on bended knee to his partner of two years, who hails from from Connecticut. A clearly surprised and choked-up Aronne said, "Yes" in front of a jubilant cast and audience.
Ghose earlier said, "Growing up in India you don't hear many Western stories but you do read 'Cinderella' and it left a lasting impression of finding 'happily ever after' on me. This would be a best place to start our happily ever after like Cinderella and her Prince."
Cinderella has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is directed by Mark Brokaw. Josh Rhodes is choreographer. Music adaptation, supervision and arrangements are by David Chase. Orchestrations are by Danny Troob. Andy Einhorn is music director and conductor.
For more information visit www.CinderellaOnBroadway.com.
