Cinderella: Character Descriptions

Cinderella

Cinderella is an extremely good natured girl despite the unpleasant environment in which she lives. She lives a vivid fantasy life that helps her escape the dispirited reality of her everyday existence. Cinderella is an obedient child but does not allow her step family’s demeaning treatment of her make her feel inferior. By returning to the palace in hopes of reconnecting with the Prince, Cinderella takes her destiny in her own hands, proving her self sufficiency.

Prince

The Prince is a warm and sensitive young man without pretensions. He is in no hurry to marry, preferring to find a bride in his own time. Despite his misgivings about the ball his mother has planned, he goes along with it so as not to hurt her feelings. When he meets Cinderella, he is insightful enough to realize that she is different from the other maidens at the ball. He is comfortable and able to share his feelings with her.

Stepmother

The Stepmother, unlike in some versions of the story, is not really evil. The is self-absorbed and focused on the needs of her own daughters at Cinderella’s expense. She tends to ignore Cinderella unless she needs something done, such as packages to be carried or the fire stoked. She does not pay enough attention to Cinderella to see her good qualities and is self-deluded about the qualities of her own daughters. Even after they have made fools of themselves at the ball, the Stepmother is convinced that the Prince might choose one of them as his bride.

Joy

Joy is one of Cinderella’s stepsisters. She has been named in total opposition to her name, for we never see a genuine smile cross Joy’s face. She is a glum, dull sort of young lady. Like her mother, her attitude toward Cinderella is indifferent and inconsiderate rather than downright cruel.

Portia

Portia is one of Cinderella’s stepsisters. She has been named in total opposition to her name, for it is obvious that Portia is not bright enough to be compared to her namesake from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. She is a dimwitted character who often puts her foot in her mouth. Like her mother, her attitude toward Cinderella is indifferent and inconsiderate rather than downright cruel.

Godmother

The Godmother is a down-to-earth woman who initially does not seem to possess any magical qualities whatsoever. Rodgers and Hammerstein specifically call her Godmother, not ‘Fairy Godmother’. She is a realist, challenging Cinderella’s notions of wishes and dreams. She encourages Cinderella to take action rather than hope for things to just happen to her. Only when Cinderella has demonstrated her determination and resolve does the Godmother lend her magical assistance.

King

The King, though royalty, it a very down-to-earth sort of man. He has normal parental concerns about his son’s happiness, but disagrees with his wife on how to deal with him. The Queen is convinced that all the Prince needs is to meet the right girl and that he’ll do so at the ball she has arranged. The King goes along with her plans because his wife has her heart set on it, but he is not enthusiastic about it. Like many couples, the King and Queen bicker but there is never any doubt about their love for each other.

Queen

The Queen, though royalty, it a very down-to-earth sort of woman. She has normal parental concerns about her son’s happiness, but disagrees with her husband on how to deal with him. She is convinced that all the Prince needs is to meet the right girl and that he’ll do so at the ball she has arranged. The King goes along with her plans because his wife has her heart set on it, but he is not enthusiastic about it. Like many couples, the King and Queen bicker but there is never any doubt about their love for each other.

Herald

The Herald is the official spokesperson for the royal family. It is the Herald’s job to deliver the news of the day to the townspeople. In the first scene of the musical, the Herald is especially delighted to announce the ball because the townspeople will be thrilled. This character is very formal, as befits an employee of the royal family.

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