According to the New York Times, Jepsen will make her Broadway debut Feb. 4, 2014 – the same day as TV and film star Fran Drescher, who will play Cinderella's stepmother Madame in the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.
Jepsen will play a 12-week run in Cinderella; Osnes, who currently stars as Ella, will conclude her Tony-nominated turn in January 2014.
"With its fresh, new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Cinderella," press notes state, "combines the story's classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, a beautiful ball and more – with some surprise twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, the Cinderella of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical now on Broadway is a surprisingly contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting: a spirited young woman with savvy and soul, eager to develop a world view, she doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She not only fights for her own dreams, but makes the prince, who falls in love with her, open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams, too."
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.
The cast currently features Osnes as Cinderella, Santino Fontana as the Prince, Rebecca Luker as Fairy Godmother Marie (Victoria Clark returns Jan. 21, 2014), Harriet Harris as Madame, Ann Harada as stepsister Charlotte, Marla Mindelle as stepsister Gabrielle, Peter Bartlett as Sebastian, Greg Hildreth as the rebel Jean-Michel and Phumzile Sojola as Lord Pinkleton. Jill Abramovitz, Kristine Bendul, Heidi Giberson, Stephanie Gibson, Shonica Gooden, Kendal Hartse, Robert Hartwell, Dan Horn, Laura Irion, Andy Jones, Brandon Leffler, Nathan Lucrezio, Sam Lips, Andy Mills, Linda Mugleston, Alessa Neeck, Peter Nelson, Kirstin Tucker, Cody Williams, Branch Woodman and Kevin Worley complete the company. The production also has scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Posner and sound design by Nevin Steinberg.
Cinderella is produced by Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman, Stephen Kocis, Edward Walson, Venetian Glass Productions, The Araca Group, Luigi Caiola & Rose Caiola, Roy Furman, Walt Grossman, Peter May/Sanford Robertson, Glass Slipper Productions/Eric Schmidt, Ted Liebowitz/James Spry, Blanket Fort Productions and is produced in association with Center Theatre Group. Charles Salameno is associate producer.
Visit CinderellaOnBroadway.com.
