Harmony in Progress: Voices of the Kingdom
Some weeks are sewn with golden thread, others with patchwork magic. For Tupelo Community Theatre’s production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, this week was a little of both.
We began with voices – Monday’s music rehearsal filled TOB with the beginnings of what will soon be spellbinding songs. Tuesday was quiet (even Fairy Godmothers rest their wings), as the cast took an unplanned rest while our director ventured out for sound upgrades for the Lyric Theatre. This pause gave the music time to settle in the bones. Come Thursday, however, we were back at it – Ella and Marie rehearsed their blocking with the quiet intensity of two women who know that change is coming.
Today’s musical sneak peek shows off a bit of the emotional spectrum of our show and chemistry between cast members. Jean-Michel (Thomas Roper) reminds us of conviction with Now Is the Time – his voice carrying the weight of hope and justice. Lord Pinkleton (Joshua Perkins), our ever-urgent announcer, broke through with royal excitement in The Prince Is Giving a Ball.
Then, Ella (Satrina Massey) and Topher’s (Jesse Watkins) rendition of Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful? gave us that ever-elusive blend of doubt and longing, along with some celebration at hitting the right notes. And finally Marie (Suzanne Oakley), always a twinkle in her eye, wraps up the clip by casting her rhyme like a spell: “fol-de-rol and fiddle-dee-dee” – a phrase that may sound silly, but carries the weight of destiny.
The Story Unfolds
And so, the curtain falls on Week Two – but only for a breath. The story is far from over. In the week ahead, the cast will begin weaving movement into music with choreography and blocking, and our spotlight will turn toward character with introduction videos for Ella and Topher.
We’ll even sit down for a special behind-the-scenes conversation with the Director to learn more about the heart of this production. Stay close, dear guest – the fairy tale is only just beginning to unfold.