Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.

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Today we're looking at Cinderella, specifically the versions of Cinderella which feature songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The story of Cinderella has been theatrical fodder for centuries, so it's no wonder that when Rodgers and Hammerstein's made-for-television musical version was broadcast in 1957, talk of bringing it to the stage began almost immediately. Aside from the 1958 English panto Cinderella—which incorporated the songs, but was otherwise distinct—the first true stage adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella arrived in 1961, at Cleveland's Musicarnival, with a libretto and additional lyrics by Don Driver. This version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was subsequently licensed and appeared regularly in summer stock.

Two film remakes were made, in 1965 and 1997, both substantially revising the libretto and incorporating songs from elsewhere in Richard Rodgers' catalogue. The 1997 movie—starring Brandy Norwood and Whitney Houston, featuring new lyrics by an uncredited Fred Ebb—became so popular that it got its own stage adaptation, which was taken on a national tour in 2000. The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization subsequently offered two versions of Cinderella for licensing, called the Original and Enchanted Edition, based respectively on the 1957 and 1997 films, while withdrawing the Don Driver version. These two versions were later joined by a youth edition.

In 2013, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella finally had its Broadway premiere, with an entirely new book by Douglas Carter Beane. This version, now styled Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella to differentiate it from Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, was also made available for licensing.

In short, schools and community theatres wishing to perform Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella now have four versions to choose from!

Take a look below at how ten schools around the country have put their own spin on the various versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Before the clock strikes 12, we hope that these creative covers will serve as inspiration for your next ball or festival!

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10 Enchanting Cinderella PLAYBILLDER Covers

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