SUN PARAIRIE, Wis. — In the storybooks, a prince meets a princess, they fall in love and live happily ever after. Well, it turns out fairy tales do come true.
Gabe Hanna was cast as Prince Charming in Sun Prairie Civic Theatre’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” He took his final bow on Sunday when the production closed, but not before proposing to the leading lady on stage in front of everyone.
Ella Rose Kleefisch, Hanna’s girlfriend of two years, played Cinderella in the musical. Kleefisch is the daughter of former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.
In the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s version of the show, Cinderella is primarily referred to as “Ella,” and that’s how the character is listed in the program.
It’s the first time the couple has done a show together, and the first large show either has performed in since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After their bows, Hanna stepped forward and proclaimed his love for Kleefisch.
“Throughout the last two years, I have been the most happy that I’ve ever been in my entire life. Two years ago, I was awake at night hoping, praying to God, that someone would come into my life and love all the things that I love and do all the things that I do and be my everything. And yes, I found her. She is my angel,” Hanna said before asking her to marry him.
Kleefisch said “yes” and the two sealed the engagement with a kiss in front of an ecstatic audience and cast, signifying their real-life happily ever after.
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