The 2013 Tony Awards are right around the corner, and we can’t wait to find out which show takes home the prize for Best Musical Revival: Cinderella, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Pippin or Annie. In the meantime, we went on a little YouTube binge to find out the most awesome, hilarious and downright weird interpretations of these Tony-nominated revivals from all over the world. Cinderella is dazzling Broadway audiences with Ella’s astonishing metamorphosis from “plain country bumpkin” into the belle of the ball. We scoured the web to find more breathtaking versions of Cinderella’s iconic Transformation scene.
MOST ELABORATE BALLGOWN
Watch out, William Ivey Long! We’re giving a special shout-out to the Seaholm High School production of Cinderella in Birmingham, MI, for a gorgeous Cinderella gown that’s almost as beautiful as the dress Tony nominee Laura Osnes wears in the current revival. Wow!
BEST LIGHTING
Bountiful High School’s production of Cinderella in Bountiful, UT, may have a more realistic budget, but there’s no lack of dazzling special effects in this Transformation. With a clever use of black lights, the mice transform into horses and Cinderella’s glowing gown seems to float right onto the stage.
MOST ENCHANTING QUICK CHANGE
We’ve watched this Cinderella quick change a dozen times and still can’t figure out how they do it! Forever After Productions’ Cinderella in Canton, MI, takes the cake for the best use of blue fairy dust.
BEST CARRIAGE REVEAL
Japanese pop group Morning Musume teamed up with members of the Takarazuka Revue theater troupe to create a dazzling all-female version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic. Watch the fairy godmother, the horses and even the carriage take flight in this stunning production at Japan’s Shinjuku Koma Theater.
MOST LIFELIKE HORSES
The Redlands Bowl mounting of Cinderella in Redlands, CA, is the only production we’ve found that uses an actual horse in their Transformation scene. Scroll to 4:45 to see the horse steal the spotlight and leave a little surprise onstage!