Actor Freddie Stroma (Cormac McLaggen in the
Harry Potter films) will be headlining a
panto production of
Cinderella at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles from November 27 - December 19, 2010, playing Prince Charming. The production took a unique turn in casting Cinderella, in a sort of "American Idol"-like competition, where celebrity judges Kara DioGuardi, Mary Murphy and Michael Johns chose 30 final candidates from 700 initial auditioners. This past Tuesday, the final Cinderella was chosen from the pack by a panel of judges including Freddie, director Bonnie Lythgoe, and actor Neil Patrick Harris. Photos from the finalist announcement - that went to 16-year-old Veronica Dunne from Malibu - can be found in our
galleries.
Quote:
"Panto is for the whole family and something that truly unites family together in fun and entertainment," says Kris Lythgoe, Executive Producer and CEO of Magic Pictures International. "It's a must see over this holiday season."
Other actors cast in the production include Jerry Mathers (
Leave it to Beaver) as Cinderella's father, Broadway actress Jennifer Leigh Warren as The Fairy Godmother, British comedian Benny Harris as Buttons, and introduces Eddie Driscoll and Mark Edgar Stephens as Evil Step Sisters Cowel & Seecrest.
Tickets for the production can be purchased
here.