If The Slipper Fits ...

Date: November 02, 1997
By Tammy C. Carter, Staff writer

From Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)
Submitted by: Larry A.


ABC and Disney must have a fairy godmother of their own.

At least that's oneway to explain their good fortune in producing Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella," airing under the "Wonderful World of Disney" banner.

There's much to praise in this two-hour musical. First, the racially mixed cast, which the network describes as a "multi-cultural rainbow," is quite refreshing. Whitney Houston (who also serves as executive producer), Brandy, Jason Alexander, Victor Garber, Whoopi Goldberg and Bernadette Peters --it's tough to go wrong with such talent leading the way.

Then there's the beautiful musical score, written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and newly arranged for this production."The Sweetest Sounds," performed by Brandy as Cinderella and Paolo Montalban as the Prince; "In My Own Little Corner," sung by Brandy; and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" another Brandy-Montalban song, are crowd pleasers.

This version of "Cinderella," about a mistreated young woman whose only wish is to attend the Prince's ball and live happily ever after, maintains the classic fairy tale setting with a '90s flavor.

As the fairy godmother, Houston does little more than sing, which is fine. The real songstress in this musical, however, is lack of acting ability with a powerful singing voice. Her solos and duets with Montalban are spectacular. Alexander, Goldberg, and Peters provide the laughs, with help from Veanne Cox and native New Orleanian Natalie Desselle, who play the evil stepsisters.

ABC's "Cinderella" wears the glass slippers well.