Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...The hilarious script playfully lampoons black stereotypes while getting across messages of responsibility, acceptance, friendship and forgiveness without being preachy. In this “Cinderella,” the court page is a hip-hopping brother from the ’hood, the stepmother is a postal worker and the pumpkin coach is a Hummer, to name just a few departures from the well-known story."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Pop culture references have gotten updates through the years, but the show remains decidedly, cheerfully old school. Like a pre-World War II musical, it's basically a delivery mechanism for singing, dancing, jokes, romance, and a smart good-time spirit. The script provides plenty of broad comedy and sly social comment, and this production's winning cast, backed by a capable five-piece R&B band, sells every moment."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...A score ranging from our Fairy God Mama's reggae-tempo "You Make Me Wish ( I Make the Wish Come True ) " and Cinderella's bittersweet "Don't Bring Me Souvenirs"—both dating from the original production—to the rap-style "Boys From The Hood" is reason enough to revisit this annual holiday event. But the 2010 text also boasts updated references: When the invitations to the palace party arrive by telegram, a young recipient asks, "Why didn't they just post it on Facebook?" And while the current production features such BET regulars as Trinity Murdock, Rhonda Preston and Rueben Echoles, it also provides a showcase for emerging talents on the Chicago theater scene like Lawrence Williams, Noreen Stark and Daniel Simmons, among others. Why not enjoy a last look at the room in which real-life Cinderella wishes flowered until they reached fruition?"
Copley News Service - Highly Recommended
"...The book has generally taken a backseat to the music in BET shows, but the dialogue for “The Other Cinderella” is much stronger than average, funny and heavy on the sass. The shrill stepsisters are a hoot as they take time off from putting down Cinderella to verbally shredding each other. Connoisseurs of streetwise insults will have a grand time."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...New characters are dropped into the story, including a page (Rueben Echols) with Michael Jackson moves who offers to facebook the ball invitations instead of sending telegrams and Dorothy (Christina Cain) a perky blonde from Kansas who earns her way into the Kingdom of Other by identifying three types of greens and belting “The White Girl Blues.” “The Other Cinderella” ups the ante on a tried and true story and creates two and half hours of non-stop fun."
- Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Taylor’s script spends a bit too much time establishing the world outside of Cinderella’s dreamy night at the ball with a lot of business (such as a rather clumsy appearance by Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz). At Stepmama’s house, though, the show is most alive comically, and its message of self-esteem and acceptance is clear. Robin Beaman and Katrina Miller as the stepsisters pout and cackle hilariously, and the Fairy God Mama’s arrival reminds that the joy of Cinderella’s transformation continues because it comes from the “greatness” within yourself."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Written, produced, and directed by the Black Ensemble Theater founder and executive director Jackie Taylor, “The Other Cinderella” takes a look at the original story of Cinderella and adds a sense of twist and flair. The story follows a young Cinderella, played by Candace Edwards, through her life of misery, thanks to her two sassy and venomous step-sisters, and her considerably evil or “wicked” step-mother. Cinderella wants nothing more than to get out and experience the world. Unable to of course due to her step-mother's demanding rule that she stay home and clean the house spotless, day after day."
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"...The story has an interesting ending that is a departure from both Grimm and the sanitized Disney version. The shoe fits more than one woman! You will have to check out this wonderful production to see how that plays out. You can be assured that you will have a good time, hear some great music, and be astounded by the costumes both on stage and in the audience. I love seeing a man in head to toe turquoise down to the socks and shoes and women actually dressed for the theatre. It’s old school all the way."