Lesley Ann Warren Looks Back on Cinderella

Playbill reports:

February 22 marks the diamond, 60th anniversary of the 1965 TV broadcast of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Starring a then-18-year-old Lesley Ann Warren in the title role, the broadcast was actually the second television presentation of the musical, a follow-up to a 1957 version starring Julie Andrews.

On the occasion of the diamond anniversary of her Cinderella, Playbill recently talked with Warren about the role that put her on the map.

Here are some highlights:

Do you remember being aware of the fact that your Cinderella would be the one that would still be around, with it being filmed on videotape?
You know, I never thought about that. I was very much just focused on doing the best job that I could, and on bringing life to this character that I identified with in many ways. The future of it, I didn’t consider that. It wasn’t until somebody pointed out to me that it was the highest-rated non-sports event on CBS for 45 years… I couldn’t believe it. That was extraordinary.

What was the direction you got, and the things you learned from Richard Rodgers and Charles Dubin about the show and the role?
Richard Rodgers was there every second, and he was so amazing with me. I have great pictures of him sitting next to me, pointing out on the sheet music what he wanted different, or what he wanted more of. He was very involved in every way musically. But he took such great care of me. I remember one night, it was like three in the morning or some crazy hour, and I mentioned to somebody that I just felt like some peanut brittle. The next thing I knew, he had driven to an all-night market and came back with this peanut brittle for me.

Charlie was a such a dream. I remember the first time we shot “In My Own Little Corner,” he came down from the booth and said, “Sweetheart, we can’t understand what you’re saying because you’re crying so much.” I was so emotionally involved in what I was singing and portraying. But he was gentle with me, and protective, because I was the youngest person there and with this huge pressure to fulfill this iconic role. But I never felt anything but support from the two of them.

Let’s talk about that dress. I’ve heard you had quite a time with it.
It was so heavy. It was a very physically heavy dress. I had to, after hours and hours and hours of wearing it, I had to have these sort of muscle relaxer shots in my shoulders…. However [costume designer George Whittaker] constructed it, it was a piece of art. It was heavy, but when I was dancing in it, I never felt more magical or beautiful.

What are the things from Cinderella that you’ve carried with you afterwards?
I feel like it started my career with such an enormous gift of this magical, beautiful role, but also the people that I was surrounded by, the great artists like Richard Rodgers. I’ve been so grateful and lucky to, at that time, chosen to be in the company of such legendary, magnificent artists. That is what I care about. I’ve done tons of work, I’ve been working my whole life. But what speaks to me most is when I’m in the company of other artists that are as committed and passionate and excited about what they are doing.

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