(from Billboard Online)



Featuring an all-star cast and a cheery contemporary look and sound, this third remake of the 40-year-old Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is sure to please.

Teen sensation Brandy stars in the title role, and in spite of her pop roots, she slips into the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway-like score as easily as Cinderella fits into the glass slipper.

Her innocent and playful rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" captures the hope and dreams of the song. Starring in the WB network sitcom "Moesha," Brandy is no stranger to the acting world and is able to get into character more than your average pop star.

But the real driving force behind this new version is Whitney Houston, who plays the Fairy Godmother and is also one of the show's executive producers.

Other executive producers are Debra Martin Chase (Houston's production partner); Craig Zadan; Neal Meron, who co-produced the television version of "Gypsy" with Bette Midler; and David Ginsberg.

Originally Zadan and Meron had wanted to cast Houston in the title role, but wisely the multi-Grammy winner thought a younger singer/actress should handle the part.

Clearly, though, Houston is having a good time playing here, and when a stunned Cinderella first meets her, Houston smirks, "What were you expecting, some old woman with gray hair?"

In the uplifting duet "Impossible" with Brandy, Houston is careful not to overshadow her young co-star but still manages to belt out a rousing rendition.

Brandy and Houston also have a touching mother/daughter relationship. It's clear that Brandy, as well as her character, looked to Houston for guidance.

There isn't a weak link in the supporting cast, with Peters turning in a particularly evil performance as the wicked stepmother.

Peters also gets to show off her Broadway voice with "Falling In Love With Love," one of three songs from other Rodgers shows included in this version. The song was written by Rodgers with lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

Other added songs include Rodgers' "The Sweetest Sounds," a charming duet by Cinderella and the young prince, played by Paolo Montalban. The closer, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "There's Music In You," is sung by Houston.

Jason Alexander, as the Prince's valet, Lionel, provides comic relief, and Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg turn in fine performances as the King and Queen Constantina.

Veanne Cox and Natalie Desselle also lend the right amount of sibling rivalry as the dopey and unattractive stepsisters. Their best scene comes when they hide in bushes and ridicule Cinderella as she flirts with the Prince at the ball in the song "Stepsisters Lament."

With its elaborate sets and staging there is no mistaking that this is a Disney production, but the producers were kind enough to include only two full-blown production numbers.

Although this remake is certain to draw comparisons with the original 1957 television production with Julie Andrews and the 1965 version with Lesley Ann Warren, Disney remains true to the material. The excellent cast also gives new life to the beautiful score, which is equal to its predecessors.

EILEEN FITZPATRICK