Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Bravo! Monmouth’s Cinderella Production
Izzy Gimm - Website and Social Media Manager
A classic fairytale received a heartfelt and modern retelling this spring as Monmouth College’s Departments of Theatre and Music, in collaboration with the Buchanan Center for the Arts, Galesburg Community Foundation, and United Way of Warren County, brought Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella to life on the Wells Theater stage.
Directed by Dr. Vanessa Campagna, chair of the Theatre department, the production featured senior Emma Romano in the title role, with junior Colin Kreipe as Prince Christopher. The cast also included Molly White as the Stepmother and Zesty Lythgoe in the dual roles of the Fairy Godmother and The Dove.
For Campagna, the inspiration behind choosing this musical was deeply personal. “I was twelve when the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) televised a reconceived production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” she recalled in her Director’s Note. “That 1997 production successfully captivated our attention—enrapturing us, even.”
Campagna directed the “Enchanted” edition of the musical, adapted from the ABC teleplay starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. Her motivation, she said, stemmed from “a desire to give young audiences a similarly memorable experience and by what—after all these years—I have come to appreciate most about this particular script: its themes of inclusion and empowerment.”
Those themes echoed not just in the script but also in the casting. “One of the keys to strong directing is to enter the casting process with few preconceived notions,” Campagna explained. “As far as Emma is concerned, her vocal abilities ultimately won her the role… Emma has excellent vocal stamina, which is important in a role that sings so much. She is humble and compassionate, particularly gifted in working with community youth.”
Kreipe’s portrayal of Prince Christopher also stood out. “Colin’s voice has matured greatly throughout his college experience… it allowed him to sing a challenging role successfully,” said Campagna. “It was helpful for me to know that he and Emma have a natural chemistry on stage,” having previously starred together in The Little Mermaid.
The plot of Cinderella follows a familiar arc—a young woman, overlooked and underestimated, dreams of a better life. With the help of her Fairy Godmother and her own inner strength, she transforms and attends a royal ball, where she wins the heart of a prince. But in this production, Cinderella’s agency, not just her magical makeover, takes center stage.
“Cinderella is not exempt from acting with agency,” Campagna emphasized. “She is not coerced into a transformative experience; rather, she is invited to ‘take responsibility for [her] destiny,’ and she acts from an empowered position.”
Behind the scenes, the process was no less transformative. Campagna was responsible for leading a team of more than 80 people. “Theatre is a collaborative art,” she said. “From designers and musicians to student technicians and performers, this production was a group effort grounded in trust and communication.”
She praised costume designer Tamima Tabishat, who “made the magic happen” with the transformation dress. But for Campagna, the real triumphs lay in the growth of her students. “An actor with a medical condition remained healthy throughout the process. A technician nailed every spotlight cue. An actor who battled stage fright performed with confidence. These are the stories that matter most.”
Despite staffing challenges—the Theatre department currently operates with just three faculty members—Campagna and her team delivered five successful performances. “The transformation scene went smoothly every time,” she noted, “and I saw people develop as artists and as people.”
Ultimately, Campagna hopes audiences walk away with more than just admiration for the production. “I want them to feel excited about theatre and what it can mean in a community and in individual lives,” she said. “I hope people meditate on the key themes of inclusion, empowerment, kindness, and respect.”
“And, certainly,” she added with a smile, “I wish each of you a bit of magic, too.”
