Cinderella Movie from 1997 vs Musical

[mmFan]

Posted: 11/4/15 at 3:43pm

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)

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 11/4/15 at 3:51pm

Yes, similar, but not the same. The Broadway version had a whole new book. So while the basic plot is the same, there are different and new characters and songs.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/4/15 at 3:51pm

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

 

 

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 11/5/15 at 12:44am

Apart from the basic plot and most of the songs, it's significantly different. The dynamic between the Stepsisters and Stepmother are different, there are three or four characters in the movie who are not in the musical (and vise-versa), there's an extended subplot about Social Injustice in the stage version...etc. etc. etc. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/5/15 at 10:44am

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.  

[mmFan]

Posted: 11/5/15 at 12:14pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "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.  

 

"

Thank you.  This is more what I was getting at as a 6 year old may not notice differences in the story, political changes, etc.   But she loves music and she may like the musical better if she's heard the songs before.  (She has watched a couple songs on you tube such as 'Its Possible' but it seems to be the same 2 songs that are played).  Let me see if I can find the 1965 version.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/5/15 at 1:45pm

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

[mmFan]

Posted: 11/5/15 at 3:21pm

KathyNYC2 said: "The earlier version with Lesley Ann warren is the one I grew up with. The later one with brandy read 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. 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 addt material and an updated message. 

 

"

But which version is closer to the play in terms of music?

[gypsy101]

Posted: 11/5/15 at 4:31pm

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

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/5/15 at 4:36pm

I don't think it matters. They both use much of the same music. Both earlier versions have songs that are no longer used in the current version and the current version has some new material and songs as well. I would say that the 90's version has more songs that they don't use than the 60's version.

Unrelated to music, I also feel that the 90's version plays it more for laughs more of the time - the 60's version is played more earnestly - as is the current version. The 60's version is charmingly dated but very suited to a young child - the 90s version is a little busy and flashy.

[mmFan]

Posted: 11/8/15 at 8:12pm

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