Cinderella (Lloyd Webber musical)

Cinderella is a stage musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by David Zippel, and a book by Emerald Fennell. It is a modern retelling of the classic fairytale, featuring new characters and plot twists.

The musical premiered at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London's West End in August 2021, following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original cast featured Carrie Hope Fletcher as Cinderella, Ivano Turco as Prince Sebastian, and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as the Stepmother.

The plot deviates from traditional versions of the Cinderella story. Cinderella is portrayed as a rebellious young woman who is friends with Prince Sebastian, a sensitive soul second in line to the throne. After the presumed death of the king, the Queen decides Sebastian must marry a suitable princess to secure the royal lineage. Meanwhile, Cinderella struggles to fit into the increasingly appearance-obsessed kingdom, led by the image consultant, the Stepmother. The narrative explores themes of beauty, societal pressures, self-acceptance, and the complexities of love and friendship.

The musical's score incorporates a variety of musical styles, including pop, rock, and traditional musical theatre elements. Notable songs include "Bad Cinderella," "Far Too Late," and "Only You, Lonely You."

The original West End production received mixed reviews, with praise for the performances and score but criticism for the book and direction. Despite the mixed reception, the show played for over a year before closing in June 2023. A reimagined version, titled Bad Cinderella, opened on Broadway in March 2023 but closed after a limited run.

Cinderella (Lloyd Webber musical) is notable for its contemporary take on a classic story and its attempt to address modern social issues within the framework of a musical.