1997 Television Broadcast
1997 Television Broadcast
On November 2, 1997, ABC aired a reconceived version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, starring pop icon Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother and R&B artist Brandy Norwood as the titular princess. The rest of the cast was equally star-studded, with Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber as the King and Queen, Bernadette Peters as Cinderella’s Stepmother and Jason Alexander as Lionel, the herald. Paolo Montalbán was introduced as the Prince. This multiracial made-for-television movie featured songs from the original score, along with Rodgers & Hart’s “Falling in Love with Love,” Richard Rodgers’ “The Sweetest Sounds” from No Strings, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “There’s Music in You,” from the film Main Street to Broadway. The ABC broadcast of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was viewed by 60 million people and remains a beloved gem to this day. Houston also served as executive producer, along with Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and Debra Martin Chase. On February 12, 2021, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella became available for streaming, exclusively on Disney+.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program – Robert Iscove
Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program – Randy Ser, Edward L. Rubin, Julie Kay Fanton
Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program – Ellen Mirojnick
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie – Jennifer Guerrero-Mazursky, Ellin La Var, Carla Farmer, Julia L. Walker, Kimberly Kimble, Lucia Mace
Outstanding Choreography – Rob Marshall
Outstanding Music Direction – Paul Bogaev
Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special – Brandy Norwood
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special – Whoopi Goldberg