Cinderella's Castle: A tale retold.

By this point in time I might just have to accept that my plans for a Ristretto will never quite work out the way I intend them to.

The initial concept had meant to cover a few thoughts regarding a series of Musicals by Starkid Productions: The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals (2018), Black Friday (2020), and Nerdy Prudes Must Die (2023).

While I've been a fan of musicals, and Starkid Productions for years, that specific series easily won me over due to my inherent fascination of horror in any form. Moreover, with a reprise of The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals in 2025 and a pro-shot being released publicly this coming July - it seemed like the perfect time.

And then I came to notice that I'd actually missed their previous Musical that had its pro-shot released in April 2025: Cinderella's Castle.

From its name alone, one is able to infer that this will be in some form a retelling of the classic folk tale of a similar name:

A girl, or young woman, living under terrible circumstances receives the means for her escape through some magical interference. Most retellings include the ball, where she meets the Prince and dances with him without being recognised by anyone. She cannot stay the night and as she hurries to leave, she looses her slipper; The sole identifying factor that the Prince can use to find her. The Prince declares that the person who fits this mysterious slipper would become his bride.

Meanwhile, the girl is discovered by the antagonist of the story - often the Stepmother - who hinders the girl from revealing herself in time, while attempting to have her own daughters take the place of the 'mysterious girl'. However, the trickery doesn't last, the evildoers are punished, and Cinderella marries the Prince.

They live happily ever after.

While I'm familiar with the tale as told by the Brother's Grimm, I'd also seen the classic Disney movie of the same name Cinderella (1950), which is still considered a classic. This variation of the tale establishes both the fairy god-mother as well as the common understanding of the prince; Prince Charming.

A personal favourite of mine is the movie Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel | Tři oříšky pro Popelku (1973), which is still considered a Christmas staple in many places. There Cinderella is given a more mischievious demeanour as she's meeting the Prince early in the woods. She still receives her magical gifts through having remained humble and kind.

However, after having seen Cinderella's Castle three times already, I have to say that it's quickly risen up the ranks in regard to any folk tale retelling. As an adaptation it does what I love the most: It experiments.
Not only that, but it understands the core of the story - and keeps that intact while rebuilding the story around it in a new and fascinating way.

...I'd say that for anyone interested in musicals, adaptations, and folklore retellings Cinderella's Castle will absolutely be worth their time!

However, if this rather tame recommendation isn't quite enough, I'll have a quick list of reasons that will provide some additional incentives. I'll try my best to keep spoilers to a minimum.

1. The Pro-Shot is available on YouTube for free.

This is the easiest argument for any musical fan, really.

I will always promote Starkid Productions solely for the fact that they care enough about their international fans to make their shows available all over the world.

Yes, there is always a process where digital tickets and rentals come first, but they always release their pro-shot on YouTube and have done so since their conception. This means that even if one is unsure about a show, there is no harm in checking it out and dropping it if it's not to one's liking. Or, alternatively, that it is really easy to rewatch a show that has quickly become a favourite.

Generally, the work that has gone into the pro-shot is also impressive, as they do their best to capture everything. I've never been dissatisfied.

The Pro-Shot for Cinderella's Castle is, in my personal opinion, really well put together and allows for all the cast members to shine; Which leads me to my next point...

2. The Cast is great.

Call me biased, it's true.
I've been a big Starkid fan since I'd watched their live-premier of Starship in 2011, and yet I keep marvelling at the range that these talents (both old and new) have when they're on stage.

Bryce Charles, who's playing the lead of Ella Ashmore, is absolutely brilliant. There are so many little touches of her performance that I cannot get out of my mind and her voice is amazing. Before this, I'd only seen her in Nerdy Prudes Must Die (2023), where she'd done an amazing job as well - though couldn't quite flex her musical skills as often as she did in this case. I'm so happy that to see her in a leading role.

Bryce's talents are supported by many actors that had their debut in the Hatchetverse series such as Jon Matteson, Mariah Rose Faith Casillas, Kim Whalen, Curt Mega, and Angela Giarratana; As well as actors and creatives from their earlier shows such as Lauren Lopez, Joey Richter, James Tolbert, and Jeff Blim.

3. The Music is great.

...I'm listening to the album as I'm writing this. There's a high chance that I'll be listening to the album when this article is being read. The album is in multiple playlists. It's that good.

It's also near impossible to pick a favourite song, because as soon as the decision is made, the next song starts playing, and I find myself reconsidering. Generally, I think part of the reason I cannot decide is that each song feels perfectly apt for what it's meant to convey. It's also really fun to note how previous songs are being reintegrated and reprised as the show goes on.

The music and lyrics were written by Jeff Blim, who's also behind the music and lyrics of some of my other favourite Starkid Productions. Thus, I shouldn't have been surprised that I couldn't find 'a favourite' song but just have to listen to the album on repeat.

Musically, this reminds me quite a bit of the 80s synth-pop; Though, I can't quite tell if it's the addition of the sets and costuming that led me to recall Labyrinth (Jim Henson, US, 1986) more often than not.

4. The visuals are great.

Starkid Production has always managed to impress me with their 'less is more' approach, where a few specific props and set pieces are enough to sell the whole scene. There aren't lavish sets, but the changes to the stage are done subtly and well enough to easily distinguish the different locations.

However, the costuming department did not hold back. For one, Ella's costumes are fascinating and elaborate and fit each stage of her journey. The way the colour green was interwoven as an essential part of it simply added to the beauty and the nature theme that had been integral in this retelling.

Some other personal favourites include the costumes for the Stepmother, the Fairy Queen of Sweet Dreams, as well as Ella's companions to the ball, which leads me to the next point on the list...

5. The puppets are the coolest thing ever.

Any folk tale, or fairy tale, would be boring if there were only humans on stage. Luckily, this can quickly be amended by the presence of some excellent puppet work.
It's also most likely the reason I'd been reminded of Labyrinth before - the presence of non-humanoid creatures. They're amazing, and once again the cast played them brilliantly.

There was also the additional joy to learn that, in this case, the puppeteer would still be in a costume that somewhat reflects their respective puppet. It's simply another additional touch, that I'd come to greatly appreciate.

It all seems so natural while watching, but so much work must have been put into all of these puppets and how they're being handled. They manage to incite both terror and whimsy that wouldn't be reached without it. They transform the stage and invite you into this far away land.

6. The story is great.

Yes, this is a Cinderella story, and while it ticks all the boxes - Ella Ashmore's motivation differ quite heavily from our 'typical' Cinderella:

This tale isn't really a love story. It's a revenge story.
Ella Ashmore wishes to be free from this terrible life that she's leading, she longs for freedom - but more than that, she also longs for her abuser to have their comeuppance.

It is one of the reasons I've come to adore this retelling so much, as it does what I love most. It took the essential parts of the story and experimented with them; Reassembling them into something new, but recognisable.

Moreover, there is something quite fascinating about the presentation of the story itself: A play within a play.

One might call it a tale as old as time, even within that fantasy universe; Which adds another layer of distance between 'our' understanding of the tale and theirs.

The inclusion of more fantastical elements leaves one wondering how this could further influence the story; And if that could change the stories ending even.
Will their reimagining adhere to our understanding of the story, or will they pull the rug from underneath the audience?

To quote a verse from the very first song:
[...]
Comedy or tragedy
Will it ever-after happily?
You're starting to wonder
Oh, you're starting to wonder...
- Castle On A Hill, Starkid Productions (1:26 - 38)

7. There will apparently be more fairy tale retellings in the future.

It seems like Cinderella's Castle is only one of the many tales that take place in the fictional universe established as "The Lands That Are".
The world as it's been shown has been quite intriguing, and I'd love to see more of it; Especially, if it includes more puppetry.

I'm actually quite happy to have learned that, and I do wonder how they will develop this series; It's also fun to see that they don't see it necessary to limit themselves to the Hatchetverse. The more the merrier, truly.

8. The Show isn't perfect. No show ever is. But it's a lot of fun.

I struggle with staying purely optimistic when writing these sorts of things. I love to talk more nuanced about the things that I did and did not enjoy about any text that I wish to recommend. Nothing is flawless and to argue such always seems weird to me. In this show? The humour didn't always land for me; That's just how jokes are, some work some don't - it's all subjective.
Additionally, the first time through I'd been a bit confused about the pacing of the story, but that has mellowed out during my rewatches. I've come to enjoy the way they structured the story as a whole, and I can't expect a three-hour show, can I?

But none of that detracted from my overall enjoyment of the show. It's like I said at the start: I adore a good adaptation, and this one has quickly become one of my favourite takes on the Cinderella story.