Cinderella Movie from 1997 vs Musical

I'm taking my 6 year old to see Cinderella (Rogers and Hammerstein) when it comes to our hometown in December. While searching for videos on YouTube, I noticed that there was a movie made in 1997 with Whitney Houston and Brandy which seems to have some of the songs. Is this similar to the live stage musical? When seeing other musicals such as Mamma Mia and Matilda, it seemed to help when she saw the movie first (and even with those, the movies were different from the live show)

The differences between the musical and the 1997 television movie are not unlike the differences between the musical and the more recent Disney Cinderella film which was answered for you in your previous thread on the subject.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1086859#4718512

NOTE: this musical incarnation was created by Rodgers & Hammerstein and is not in any way affiliated with Walt Disney nor his 1951 animated film incarnation of CINDERELLA.

This recent Broadway production (mostly known as R&H's CINDERELLA) was originally conceived and produced as a 1957 TV production (starring Julie Andrews) then remade again for television (this time in color) in 1965 (with Lesley Ann Warren) then remade again for television in 1997 (with Brandy) then readapted in order to be presented on Broadway as a stage musical. The current tour is based on this which is why it shares the majority of the same songs from the television production: "My Own Little Corner", "It's Possible", "Ten Minutes Ago", etc.

I would seek out the 1965 television production (easily available online and on DVD) as I feel it's the closest that resembles the recent Broadway production the most.

The earlier version with Lesley Ann warren is the one I grew up with. The later one with Brandy is interesting because it was one of the first musicals done with color blind casting. They added a few songs from other R & H musicals if I remember (the sweetest sounds from No Strings? I think for one). They both have their own charm but I would pick the earlier one. ( there is even an earlier one with Julie Andrews in black and white. I have never seen the entire production). The current one is based on these shows but includes some additional material and an updated message.

Updated On: 11/5/15 at 01:45 PM

All three of those TV adaptations include most of the songs from the stage version. None of them are exactly the same, though.

Thanks for all the replies. My DD and I watched the 1997 version today and quite enjoyed it. The sets/costumes were beautiful (bright, elaborate) and it was funny. Also I like how it was enjoyable both by a 6 year old and by an adult. Neat too how I recognized a lot of the actors.

I also got a copy of the 1965 version so that will be another weekend.

Then in December we'll see how they compare to the musical. I think it'll help her enjoy the show hearing some of the songs. Even in the movie she said 'oh I've heard this one before' (from youtube video of the play)

Updated On: 11/8/15 at 08:12 PM