Character guide
Topher
from Cinderella
Topher is the young prince who falls for Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, the 2013 Broadway adaptation of the classic fairy tale.
- Show
- Cinderella
- Broadway premiere
- 2013
- Role
- Lead
- Music by
- Richard Rodgers
Topher on stage vs screen
Broadway compared with the 1957, 1965, and 1997 TV versions
On television the hero is simply the Prince, Prince Christopher. The 2013 Broadway book calls him Topher and gives him a political arc: his mentor, a villainous regent, has manipulated him into approving oppressive acts, and Ella opens his eyes to the injustice in his kingdom. Santino Fontana originated Topher.
On screen, Jon Cypher played the Prince opposite Julie Andrews in the 1957 CBS broadcast, and Stuart Damon played him opposite Lesley Ann Warren in 1965. Paolo Montalban played the Prince in the 1997 TV film with Brandy and later played the role on stage in a US tour and at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
Who is Topher?
Topher is a prince who has grown up sheltered and unsure of himself, easily influenced by a scheming advisor and uncertain how to rule once he inherits the kingdom. Renamed from the story's usual generic Prince Charming, he is given a real arc in the Broadway version, growing from a passive young royal into someone willing to think independently about justice and leadership.
His meeting with Ella at the royal ball changes more than his romantic life. Her encouragement helps push him toward becoming a more thoughtful ruler, and the show ties their love story to his growth as much as to fairy tale romance.
Topher's role in Cinderella
Topher is the lead male role, requiring a strong tenor for numbers including Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful and the duet Ten Minutes Ago. The part calls for a performer who can play boyish uncertainty without losing leading man charm.
Santino Fontana originated the role in the 2013 Broadway production, earning a Tony nomination for a performance praised for its comic warmth, and the character's expanded characterization compared to earlier television versions has made the role more substantial for the actors who play it.
Topher: frequently asked questions
What show is Topher from?
Topher is the lead prince character in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which opened on Broadway in 2013.
Is Topher a lead or supporting role?
Topher is a lead role opposite Ella.
Who wrote the music for Cinderella?
Richard Rodgers wrote the music, with Oscar Hammerstein II writing the lyrics.
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