Funny Things Happen on the Way to the Palace

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” now at the Westminster Community Theatre, was written in the 1950s for television. Staging it is like putting an episode of “Melrose Place” on stage. The two mediums have vastly different requirements.

The slender-as-a-thread book seems anemic in its juvenile simplicity, and the R&H; score obviously did not cause the authors much effort. Without the technical agility and visual advantages of the electronic medium, this retelling is dim and inconsequential.

What it does have is a marvelous role for a comedienne in the Fairy Godmother, and in this production Kip Hogan takes full advantage of her anachronistic dialogue and campy style. Hogan’s sense of humor shines through every moment she’s on stage, and her performance ties the whole thing together with a neat bow.

Director Sandi Newcomb has staged the piece well on the Westminster’s large thrust space. It’s full of energy and interesting detail, although lengthy pauses for too-complicated scenery changes interrupt the flow of the action. (In live television, a quick cut to another set solved this problem.)

Bob Goff’s musical direction of synthesizer and piano is also energetic and gives the score a playful bounce.

Daina Lynn Baker pulls her Cinderella delightfully above the watery figure Hammerstein wrote, with unscripted charm and cheerful optimism, and her handling of the songs is charming.

Jon Sparks tries hard to do the same with his Prince Charming but often looks too blase. However, his gorgeous voice helps, and even makes one of R&H;’s sappier creations, “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful,” listenable and affectionate.

Tom Hardy and Janet Hoover are beguiling as the mismatched King and Queen, he ineffectual and bumbling, she reserved and regal but, like any mother concerned for her son’s happiness.

As the nasty Stepmother, Karen Jacobson offers ripe laughs, but her thunder is stolen by Monique Olesniewicz and Symphony Smart as Portia and Joy, respectively, the outrageously obnoxious daughters. Olesniewicz milks every laugh with disarming ease and a giddy sense of abandon.

BE THERE

“Cinderella,” Westminster Community Theatre, 7272 Maple St. Friday-Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Ends Saturday. $12. (714) 527-5546. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.