The Garfield Center Announces Cast and Staff for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, already renowned for their Broadway and film successes like Oklahoma (1943, film 1955), Carousel (1945, film 1956), South Pacific (1949), and The King and I (1951), created a musical specifically for television: Cinderella in 1957, starring Julie Andrews.
The musical was revived for television in 1965 with Leslie Ann Warren and again in 1997 featuring Whitney Houston and Brandy. Although it never premiered on Broadway in its original form, the show was widely produced regionally and internationally.
In 2013, Cinderella debuted on Broadway with a rewritten libretto by Douglas Carter Beane, incorporating additional Rodgers and Hammerstein songs from the show’s early development. Beane’s adaptation also expanded the story by adding new characters.
The production received nominations for several Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, winning multiple honors.
This musical has evolved through various adaptations, becoming a celebrated piece that combines classic melodies with refreshed storytelling for new audiences.
Author’s summary: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella transformed from a TV musical into a celebrated Broadway hit through adaptations that enriched its story and music.