ABC has announced that in honour of the 25th anniversary of their Wonderful World of Disney, the cast of the 1997 live-action Cinderella starring Brandy Norwood will reunite. This special edition of 20/20, titled “Cinderella: The Reunion,” will be the first time in almost twenty years that ABC has shown Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic in an hour-long programme. All the magic and music in our hearts can hardly take it all in!
One of the most memorable film versions of “Cinderella” was directed by Robert Iscove (She’s All That) in 1997.
The made-for-television musical had an all-star cast and was adapted by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II from the 1957 TV musical featuring a young Julie Andrews. Bright and colourful, with memorable costumes and musical performances, the remake “…was a landmark moment in television history, introducing America’s first Black Cinderella (Brandy) and Fairy Godmother (Whitney Houston).” In honour of the film’s silver anniversary and World Princess Week, ABC will telecast a one-hour special titled Cinderella: The Reunion, which will feature interviews with the film’s original cast members as well as behind-the-scenes footage of Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Whitney Houston.
Fans will be able to see interviews with actors who were moved by Cinderella’s charm and message, and they’ll get a deeper look at the film’s historical significance in Hollywood.
Off-Jade Broadway’s Jones, who portrays Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and singer-songwriter and choreographer Todrick Hall, who says he’s taken inspiration from the ’97 film “throughout his career,” are joining the cast of the Wonderful World of Disney. Debra Martin Chase, Neil Meron, and Ellen Mirojnick (costume designer) will all be interviewed on The Reunion as the night comes to a close.
Concord Theatricals senior vice president Imogen Lloyd Webber gave a statement on behalf of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. “We’re thrilled that the premiere of the 25th anniversary special of this iconic version of “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” is airing on the network where it all began. Eighty years after the duo first collaborated, and sixty-five years after their “Cinderella” enchanted the greatest television audience in history, the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein continues to fascinate audiences throughout the world.” Sixty million people saw the television debut of Cinderella, and the adaption was widely praised by both reviewers and spectators.
Cinderella received a total of seven Emmy nods because of the outstanding performances of both Norwood and Houston, as well as several captivating originals from the Rodgers & Hammerstein score. Disney+ started streaming the film for nostalgic fans and a new generation in February 2021. Whoopi Goldberg played Queen Constantina, Paolo Montalban played Prince Christopher, Victor Garber played King Maximillian, Bernadette Peters played the Stepmother, Jason Alexander played Lionel, and Veanne Cox played Calliope in the original cast, which also featured Brandy and the late Whitney Houston. On Tuesday, August 23 at 8 p.m. ET, ABC will screen Cinderella: The Reunion as a Special Edition of 20/20; the next day, it will be available to view on Hulu. After the celebration, the 1997 version of Cinderella will be shown on The Wonderful World of Disney for the first time in almost two decades.
Synopsis
Brandy’s Cinderella suffers at the hands of Bernadette Peters’s stepmother and Veanne Cox and Natalie Desselle’s Calliope and Minerva until Whitney Houston’s Fairy Godmother comes to her rescue for one magical evening. She meets the dashing Prince Christopher (Paolo Montalban) at the ball and falls for him, much to the chagrin of King Maximillian (Victor Garber) and Queen Constantina (Whoopi Goldberg), who are eager for their son to find a wife.