Tatyana Lubov brings modern take on “Cinderella” to INB stage May 11-14

When working with a story as universally beloved as “Cinderella,” even the slightest deviation from the source material has the potential to alienate audiences.

But to prep the production for its 2013 Broadway musical debut, hoping to update the show for modern audiences, playwright Douglas Carter Beane took a chance and adapted the book Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein III wrote for a 1957 television production of “Cinderella” starring Julie Andrews, which was later remade with singer Brandy in the lead role.

The fairy tale elements, like Cinderella’s transformation before the ball, are still present, but Beane has rewritten the story to make Cinderella, typically portrayed as a damsel in distress, more strong willed and the prince a little less perfect.

Beane also added little-known songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalog, including “Me, Who Am I?” and “There’s Music in You,” and a new character, the boyfriend of one of Cinderella’s stepsisters, to the show.

This updated version runs Thursday-May 14 at the INB Performing Arts Center with Tatyana Lubov as Cinderella and Hayden Stanes as Prince Topher.

Cinderella was Lubov’s all-time favorite princess growing up because, with her long blond hair, Cinderella looked the most like her.

“I have so many different sizes of Disney ‘Cinderella’ dresses,” the Wisconsin native said with a laugh. “Even though this isn’t the Disney production, it still is in the same vein.”

Shortly after “Cinderella” opened on Broadway with Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana in the lead roles, Lubov saw the musical during a mother-daughter road trip.

She remembers liking the updates Beane made to the show and being in awe of the costume changes, two of which happen with Cinderella and one that happens with the Fairy Godmother.

She also remembers wishing it were her on stage.

“I kept thinking ‘Oh my God, she’s so lucky. I wish that could be me,’ ” she said. “Little did I know that it would be me on the road.”

Lubov got the part of Cinderella after submitting a video audition and attending several callbacks.

The final callback went well, but Lubov remembers it also felt stale because she had performed the same material multiple times before.

“I hung out with some friends afterwards, and I kept saying ‘I don’t think I got it. It didn’t feel special enough,’ ” she said.

But later that night, she got the call telling her she’d won the role. “Cinderella” is Lubov’s first national tour.

In just two-and-a-half weeks, the cast and crew pieced the musical together. Lubov said that’s a fairly typical pace, but the size of the production made things difficult.

“The set pieces that we have and the costumes are all huge and were really difficult to meld all together,” she said. “But we did it. By opening night, we had a solid show.”

Judging from reviews, audiences have embraced Beane’s updates. Lubov, too, appreciates the more empowered Cinderella she gets to portray onstage.

“It’s very cool to be a part of a classic tale that has been twisted to be more appropriate for audiences now,” she said. “It’s really important for kids, especially young girls, to see a stronger female character in this classic fairy tale, so I’m really proud to be a part of it.