#justkeke

I was fortunate enough to see Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella matinee this Saturday, and I was especially privileged to get to see Keke Palmer as our leading lady. There are so many reasons why having Keke Palmer play Cinderella is a wonderful thing.

1. No spoilers, but the social commentary for the show changes dramatically with a black Cinderella.

2. More black people are coming and enjoying theatre! A lot of that also has to do with Sherri Shepherd being the Stepmother, but even in "black shows" like Memphis there were never so many black people in a theatre. That's so wonderful that one casting choice (or two) can introduce an entirely different group of people to a new culture.

3. Little black girls have a princess that looks like them. And she looks GOOD as a princess. In the show we see Keke in ballgowns that resemble Disney's Cinderella (of course) and Belle, all sparkly and big and grand and beautiful. Not to mention that in real life Keke is a princess. She and Sherri both came out and took pictures with absolutely everyone and had a conversation with everyone (even though Keke was sick). They brought all the little children into the barricades to take pictures. Sherri Shepherd held like twenty kids that day and even hugged one that started crying.

This was truly a fabulous show, and I'm certain it would not have been nearly as fabulous without Keke Palmer.