CARMELLO Something tells me he’s going to love it.
He’s a hip guy! He has such a TikTok presence.
CARMELLO I had no idea! When my son, who’s 21, found out that I was going to be doing this show, he was like, “Oh, man, he’s the star of TikTok.”
GENAO When I was in Brooklyn recording one of the songs, he was like, “This would be a good picture right over here for social media.” Umm, OK, this would also be great framed at my house!
What is it like to be part of this diverse, feminist retelling of a classic fairy tale?
GENAO It’s inspiring to me that [Cinderella] has a voice, and she isn’t afraid to use it. She stands up for herself — to her stepmother, to her sisters, to the town, to Prince Sebastian, to anyone — even though she’s struggling with her own self because of the way society makes her feel like an outcast.
CARMELLO My daughter was about two and a half when the television version that starred Brandy came out, and she was mesmerized. At the time, that was sort of groundbreaking because it was very diverse casting. And that’s what I love about our cast, too — it’s very diverse, and I think people will see themselves up there and feel represented.
What do you hope people take away from the musical?
CARMELLO That the Cinderella story is not just about waiting around for someone to rescue you. It’s about being your own person and trusting your own instincts.
GENAO I hope audiences walk out knowing that they don’t have to change who they are to conform to anybody else.