Robyn Goodman, the Tony-winning producer of Avenue Q, In the Heights and the 2008 revival of West Side Story, has aligned with Aged in Wood Productions to give Cinderella its Broadway debut after more than 50 years. An April 2012 workshop is planned prior to a Broadway run next season.
The property's closest brush with Broadway was a national tour that played The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in 2001. It starred Eartha Kitt as the Fairy Godmother and Jamie-Lynn Sigler in the title role. That production drew on several versions of Cinderella, including the original 1957 teleplay and the 1997 "Wonderful World of Disney" version.
Beane (Xanadu, Lysistrata Jones, The Little Dog Laughed), who also delivered a fresh book for the Broadway production of Sister Act, will "re-chart" the journey of the classic tale in a new way. Retaining all classic elements of the fairytale, it will now be Cinderella's turn to rescue the Prince.
Beane's treatment will also incorporate songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalogue, as well as songs from the original television version, including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"
Various stage and film productions of Cinderella have been studded with rarities from the Rodgers and Hammerstein trunk, including cut songs from South Pacific and Oklahoma! Through the years, such hits as "The Sweetest Sounds" and "Falling in Love With Love" have also found their way into Cinderella. Cinderella was written for television and had its premiere in 1957 with Julie Andrews in the title role. A 1965 made-for-television version starred Lesley Ann Warren, Celeste Holm and Ginger Rogers. The 1997 television remake featured Brandy and Whitney Houston. It has been licensed as a stage property since 1958.