Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA
Music by Richard Rodgers - Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II - New Book by Douglas Carter Beane - Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II
Orchestrations by Danny Troob - Music Adaptation & Arrangements by David Chase - Additional Lyrics by Douglas Carter Beane, David Chase, and Bruce Pomahac
Originally broadcast in 1957 with Julie Andrews in the title role, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella has enchanted millions across the United States and been revised several times to suit the audiences of the times. The first version was made with Julie Andrews in mind, with Richard Rodgers once telling TV Guide, “If Julie can’t make the show, then neither can we” – a nod to Andrews’s importance in shaping the production.
That broadcast reached an astonishing 107 million viewers – about 60% of the country at that time – making it one of television’s most historic premieres. Although the show aired in color and black-and-white, color recording equipment was not yet available, so the only surviving footage comes from black-and-white kinescopes of the dress rehearsal.
Oscar Hammerstein passed away in 1960, but Rodgers continued the musical’s evolution. A revised version aired in 1965, starring Lesley Ann Warren, and achieved a Nielsen rating of 42.3—one of CBS’s highest non-sports ratings until 2009. Later, in 1997, Walt Disney produced a racially diverse adaptation starring Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother. That production drew over 60 million viewers, securing its place as the highest-rated TV musical of its generation.
Though Rodgers and Hammerstein had long dreamed of a Broadway run for their beloved musical, it did not materialize in their lifetimes. At last, in 2013, Cinderella took its place on the Broadway stage with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and starring Laura Osnes in the title role. This version introduced updated humor, clever plot twists, and brought back the cherished Rodgers and Hammerstein songs that continue to capture hearts worldwide.
A New Magical Experience in Tupelo
Now, Tupelo Community Theatre (TCT) proudly carries on this tradition of enchantment with its production of the 2013 Broadway adaptation of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. For decades, Tupelo Community Theatre has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life, presenting a broad spectrum of shows to captivate audiences of all ages. Housed in the Lyric Theatre, TCT offers an intimate setting where actors, crew, and audiences unite in a shared celebration of creativity.
Join us at the historic Lyric Theater for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, where family fun, timeless music, and a dash of magic await. From unforgettable melodies to breathtaking stage transformations, you’ll witness Cinderella’s journey from an everyday young woman to a heroine who proves that kindness, courage, and love can overcome any obstacle. Let the story inspire you to believe in the extraordinary and discover that sometimes, all it takes is a little courage and a perfectly fitting slipper to make dreams come true.