First Listen to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella!
When I first heard that Andrew Lloyd Webber was bringing yet another musical based on "Cinderella" into the world, I met the news with a healthy dose of skepticism. Now that there are two full songs from this upcoming show available online, I have never been more pleased to be wrong. Just a few days ago, Webber released the show-stopping number "Bad Cinderella" on both YouTube and Spotify. This song was teased in a very early preview video for the show, but hearing it in full gave deeper clarity into the context of the lyrics and who this new Cinderella is. My growing excitement for the show led me to a Twitter post from last month in which the extraordinarily talented Carrie Hope Fletcher performed another song from the show entitled "Far Too Late," which is a complementary opposite to "Bad Cinderella" in terms of tone. Hearing both of these songs gave me a more complete image of what to expect when the theater doors will open again to audiences, and I like what I've heard so far.
The catchy punk rock number "Bad Cinderella" presents a modern twist on the Cinderella we know and love, making her a rebel who doesn't want to dress up and become a trophy wife. I've written in the past about how the consistent rejection of femininity among princess content can be polarizing, but this is the first time I think that someone actually got it right. When you compare the Cinderella character presented in the lyrics of "Bad Cinderella" to someone like Sam from the recent Disney+ original, Secret Society for Second-Born Royals, you will find several similarities. Both princesses are unhappy with the society they were born into and intentionally act out in the hopes of offending the people around them enough to embrace the revolutionary changes they want to see in the world. However, where Sam is a rebel without a cause who was born into a life of privilege and a caring family,Cinderella has every reason to reject her life prior to meeting the prince. She is surrounded by petty, selfish, and vain people who abuse her without just cause. It's only natural for her to act out. Her submission to mistreatment is something that many modern versions of the story have tried to explain or correct over the years.
Not only is "Bad Cinderella" a natural progression of the "Cinderella" story for modern times, but it is also a terrific anthem for children about how to respond to bullying. I don't know what the target age is for this show, but ALW most likely anticipated parents bringing their children into the audience since it's based on a popular fairy tale. If that his the intention for this song, I wish I could bring my childhood self to the future to hear it. This is a Cinderella who knows to put up with oppressors and won't sit back and take it. With lyrics like "Every insult that you utter makes me strong" and "If you think I won't ignore you, I think 'Poor you,'" it conveys an important message about not giving in to bullies and using their taunts as a form of empowerment instead of self-degradation. As someone who was made fun of a lot in school and then targeted online several times in my later years, I wholeheartedly support this message. Princesses are role models for girls first and foremost, so it's important that the ideas they convey are positive and not about acting out or being rebellious for no reason. On that note, I can understand how having Cinderella be a troublemaker might be seen in a negative light, which brings me to the other song that was released on social media.
If you like what you heard on @MagicAtMusicals with @OfficialALW, we think you will like this... pic.twitter.com/GWFo6NWQ09
— Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella (@ALWCinderella) September 23, 2020
"Fat Too Late" is the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful "Cinderella" song I have heard since "Tell Him Anything" from The Slipper and the Rose. The lyrics imply that because Cinderella ran away from the ball at midnight, she freed the prince to be with another woman. This new twist complements the fairy tale. The whole point of the story was that Cinderella had to leave the ball early, and the prince was surrounded by other eligible maidens who were determined to be with him, so of course they would jump at the opportunity the moment she left. The gorgeous piano melody feels nostalgic for a time when movies and musicals were much better than they are today. The song also makes it clear that Cinderella's more modern traits that are often seen only as empowering in modern films are her downfall as well. Lyrics like "Too proud to stay" and "If I begged you to forgive me, we might share a different fate" demonstrate that the very same pride that keeps her guard up against her tormentors also prevents her from showing her true feelings to the prince. In the end, she will likely need to lower her tough exterior and bring out her inner princess to attain her happy ending. I love how realistic the Cinderella in this show is comparison to other modern princesses who are cold, aloof, and unrealistically capable of doing everything on their own. In short, this song proves that even though she is a thick-skinned rebel, Cinderella is still human and just as capable of heartbreak as any other woman.
Both songs I've listened to from Andrew Lloyd Webber's upcoming Cinderella musical have greatly exceeded my expectations. I am now more excited than ever to learn what new twists the famous Phantom of the Opera composer will bring to this classic fairy tale. Carrie Hope Fletcher is an inspired choice for the role and looks endearing even in this silly Marie Antoinette-inspired teaser. I'm so glad her dream of playing a princess came true, but it's a terrible shame that the lockdown got in the way of it. The show will be opening in England instead of New York City, so it might be a while before any of us Americans will be able to see it live. It is currently scheduled to premiere in April of 2021, but of course that is subject to change. However, thanks to the magic of the internet, everyone in world is now able to listen to these two stunningly beautiful songs and, hopefully, the rest of the soundtrack as well as soon as it is ready for release.
