Twice Charmed

With a swish of a wand, several Bibbidi Bobbidi Boos and the turning of storybook pages, the brand new stage show aboard Disney Cruise Line -- "Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story" -- immerses audiences in a new rendition of the happily ever after story of Cinderella and her Prince Charming.

Giving guests an opportunity to experience the story of Cinderella in a whole new way, the Broadway-style show recently made its theatrical debut in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship.

With the story beginning where the original ended -- during the wedding celebration of Cinderella and Prince Charming -- good fortune takes a turn when a new character, evil Fairy Godfather Franco DiFortunato, enters the picture on behalf of Lady Tremaine, Cinderella's stepmother. Granting Lady Tremaine's wish, he sends the family back in time to break Cinderella's glass slipper, thus destroying her chances of marrying the prince and writing a whole new story for Cinderella.

The 52-minute production features a rich musical score with six original compositions and two classic Disney songs including the beloved "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" and "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." With an accomplished cast, lavish costumes, elaborate set designs and special effects that cleverly turn back the pages of time, the combination seamlessly transitions the show from scene to scene.

As Disney's largest theatrical production ever aboard, the show includes a repertory cast of 21 performers who are well-versed in acting, singing and dancing. This cast not only performs "Twice Charmed," but is also responsible for the two other main stage shows performed in the Walt Disney Theatre throughout the cruise -- "The Golden Mickeys" and "Disney Dreams."

The book, lyrics and score for "Twice Charmed" were composed by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, who are among the most promising new composers and lyricists for musical theatre and are currently collaborating on an upcoming Broadway musical. The orchestrations and arrangements were by Alan Lee Silva and Timothy Mark Williams.

"Twice Charmed" was directed by Joe Calarco, whose "Shakespeare's R & J," a re-telling of "Romeo and Juliet," was a hit off-Broadway in New York and was critically praised in Chicago, Washington, D.C., London and Tokyo.

Karma Camp, who has both Broadway and off-Broadway credits, choreographed the show. She has choreographed more than 20 productions at Signature Theatre of Arlington, Va., and also developed the choreography for "Snow White -- An Enchanting New Musical" at Disneyland.

The designers on "Twice Charmed" were Sets: James Kronzer; Costumes: Helen Huang and Lighting: Chris Lee.

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