DSM Cinderella – Interview with Andy Huntington Jones aka Prince Topher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URyFh_CQcuE

The story of Cinderella dates back to the mid 17th century Italy where famed Naples writer Giambattista Basile gave us Pentamerone which revolves around Cenerentola (cenere – ash – cinder).  But the persecuted heroine has been around since the ancient Greeks.  It was Charles Perrault who would translate Basile's work into the classic tale we all know and love today.  But for purposes of our modern day look at the girl who lost her slipper there is one important duo to mention, Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Their classic telling has been updated with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and the Broadway sensation is now on it's first tour.  Of course, a trip through Dallas is on schedule as DSM welcomes Cinderella to Fair Park from June 9th – 21st.  I got to chat with Prince Topher himself, Andy Jones, about the tour, the humor of Douglas Carter Beane, about dancing, and about so much more.  Click through for our interview with Cinderella's Prince.

Photo Credit - 2 The Cast of the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Photo © Carol Rosegg.

Prince Topher – Andy Huntington Jones.  Before we jump into the interview with Andy.  I want to share one quick video that showcases how Douglas Carter Beane's new book to Cinderella bridges Perrault, Rodgers and Hammerstein and our modern contemporary world together in one brand new version of Cinderella!

Now it's time to dive into our Prince who will be coming to Dallas next week!

Photo Credit - Paige Faure & Andy Jones in the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Photo © Carol Rosegg.

INTERVIEW WITH ANDY HUNTINGTON JONES – PRINCE TOPHER:

We started our chat by discussing how Andy made his Broadway debut with this Cinderella in 2013.

I asked about the new book by Douglas Carter Beane and specifically the humor that is now throughout the production.

Andy talked about the differences of bringing the production on the road compared to being on Broadway.

I asked Andy about the many versions of the Prince, especially with Into The Woods and Cinderella coming out in the last 9 months.

 

Photo Credit - 3 Paige Faure & Andy Jones in the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Photo © Carol Rosegg.

Andy was apart of an International tour of West Side Story that went all over Europe.  I asked Andy about that experience and he had a wonderful parallel about how the amazing dancing in WSS and Cinderella is what he loves most about his time with these productions.

I asked Andy to expand on the incredible dance numbers in Cinderella.

 

Photo Credit - Andy Jones & Paige Faure in the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Photo © Carol Rosegg

Andy is a native of northern Boston area but attended Michigan.  So I had to ask why he became a Wolverine and it ties into all this dance talk I've just shared with you in the previous few clips!

SPOILER ALERTS!!

These next two clips have slight spoilers about the show.  So if you don't want to hear them I suggest you venture on over to the DSM website and get you tickets and go to the show!  Otherwise enjoy these fun clips.

First off Andy explains there are changes from the Broadway version to the Tour version you'll see at Music Hall this month.

And finally I asked Andy about his favorite moment in the production.

Now go enjoy Cinderella!  For more information or tickets please go, here and for Bass Hall in Fort Worth from June 23rd-June 28th go, here

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