Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella celebrates 25th anniversary
The ABC news docu-series, 20/20, will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which starred singer Brandy Norwood as the title character and the late Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother in 1997. The movie for both Disney and the ABC Network was “groundbreaking” as it cast Black actresses to portray the respective characters as a first. At the time, the TV presentation opened the doors for diverse representation across Hollywood mediums.
When Cinderella first premiered on November 2nd, 1997, it was part of the Wonderful World of Disney franchise and was a rating success, drawing in 60 million viewers. It even grabbed seven nominations at the 1998 Emmys. It was added to the Disney+ catalog in February 2021 during Black History Month.
As a special event during Disney’s Princess Week, 20/20 will host a reunion appropriately titled Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20, which will air Tuesday, August 23rd at 8/7 PM Central. The stars of Cinderella-Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg (The Queen), Paolo Montalban (Prince Christopher), Victor Garber (The King), Bernadette Peters (Evil Stepmother), Jason Alexander (The King’s Counsel), and Veanne Cox (Stepsister Calliope) will provide insight on Cinderella‘s legacy, and share being part of the experience. Along with their commentary, actor of stage and screen Billy Porter, actress Jada Jones, and singer-lyricist and choreographer Todrick Hall will share how Cinderella impacted them in reflective light. There will be additional, rare behind-the-scenes footage of Whitney Houston and interviews with the tv movie production team and costume designer Ellen Mirojnick.
"“We’re delighted that the 25th anniversary of this landmark incarnation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is being celebrated on its original network,” said Imogen Lloyd Webber, SVP at Concord Theatricals, on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s unforgettable score is truly timeless — still enchanting listeners 80 years after their partnership began and 65 years since their Cinderella first charmed the largest audience in television history.”"
It has been eighty years since the theatrical duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein III partnered to create memorable broadway productions and sixty-five years since their first television musical and the first version of Cinderella, which starred a young Julie Andrews. The original songs, “Impossible: Possible,” “In My Own Little Corner,” Ten Minutes Ago,” “A Lovely Night,” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” are stilled very much loved today and are considered classics.
Following the one-hour 20/20 news special, Cinderella will air at 9/8 CT. The 20/20 broadcast will be available on Hulu the next day.
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