1997 TV Cinderella, starring Brandy, sets up the 25th anniversary reunion special on 20/20

Film and TV news1997 TV Cinderella, Brandy in the lead role, set up the 25th anniversary reunion special 20/20

The event contains original cast Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Bernadette Peters, Victor Garber, and more.

The TV production of Rodgers & Hammerstein of 1997 of 1997 Cinderellawith Brandy and the late interpreted Whitney Houstonhas set a 25th anniversary reunion special for ABC TVs 20/20August 23 during Disney’s World Princess Week. The one -hour event contains original casting brandy and Whoopi Goldberg, Paolo Montalban, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, Veanne Coxalong with Billy Porter, Todrick HallJade Jones, and more reflect on the impact of the film music. The special will be followed by the first broadcast TV broadcast of the film in more than two decades.

Look at a promo for the special above.

‘We are delighted that the 25th anniversary of this landmark incarnation of Rodgers & Hammersstein’s Cinderella is celebrated on its original network, ”says Concord Theatricals SVP Imogen Lloyd Webber on behalf of the Rodgers & Hammersstein Organization.” Rodgers & Hammerstein’s memorable score is truly timeless -still the largest audience of television history, and their ‘Cinderella’ first had the largest audience in television history. ‘

Interviews with the original production team including producers Debra Martin Chase and Neil Meroncostume designer Ellen Mirojnick, and more.

The film was initially broadcast on November 2, 1997 as part of the wonderful world of Disney series on ABC, and contains brandy as Cinderella opposite Houston as the Fairy Godmother, with a number of theater luminies that rounded off the cast. Bernadette Peters co-stars as the stepmother with Veanne Cox and the late Natalie Desselle as step-sisters Calliope and Minerva, respectively. Whoopi Goldberg plays Queen Constantina, with Victor Garber as King Maximillian, Paolo Montalban as Prince Christopher, and Jason Alexander as the Valet Lionel.

Abc estimated that more than 60 million people watched the program directly. The special was noticed at the time for its color -blind cast which led to a celebrated multicultural representation. “It’s extraordinary,” says Victor Garber at the NYC premiere In 1997. “I am married to Whoopi Goldberg and I have an Asian son.”

In addition, the score was expanded to give more vocal work to three of the leading ladies. Brandy and Montalbán sings “The Sweetest Sounds” of No stringsPeters sing “in love with love” of The boys of Syracuseand Houston sings “There is music in you” about the final.

Read: Cinderellaa Richard Rodgers Mix-Tape: What tunes come from other shows?

Rodgers & Hammersstein’s Cinderella are led by Robert iscove and written by Robert L. Freedman, based on Oscar Hammersstein II‘s original book. Houston (who originally chose the project to interpret as Cinderella, but passed on the torch to brandy after years of development clock), was compiled with Debra Martin Chase, Craig touchedand Neil Meron. Chris Montan was a producer, and Robyn Crawford was a co -producer.

The creative team included choreographer Rob Marshall (five years before his success of Hollywood with Chicago), Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, and music director Paul Bogaev. In 1998, Cinderella Seven Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations, including one victory for the excellent art direction for a variety or music program that set to production designer Randy Ser, art director Edward L. Rubin, and decorator Julie Kaye Fanton.

The original 1957 Cinderella interpret Julie Andrews and was written exclusively for television at the peak of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s success and popularity. Another manufactured-for-TV version, starring Lesley Ann Warrendebuted in 1965. The musical was also adapted to the stage in 1958, and especially in a revised version with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane On Broadway in 2013, which added ‘there is music in you’.