After the death of Oscar Hammerstein in 1960, Rodgers continued to pursue various creative projects. He wrote his own lyrics for several musicals, including the stage show No Strings (1962), the television musical Androcles and the Lion (1967) and new songs for the remake of State Fair (1962) and the beloved screen version of The Sound of Music (1965). In addition, he worked with several of the most successful lyricists of the younger generation on new musicals, including Stephen Sondheim (Do I Hear a Waltz?), Sheldon Harnick (Rex) and Martin Charnin (Two by Two and I Remember Mama). Additionally, from 1964 to 1969, Rodgers served as president and producing director of the Music Theater of Lincoln Center series, which produced limited-run revivals of some of the most popular musicals of the 1940s and 1950s.

This chapter employs the concept of ‘adaptative dramaturgy’ to explore the three television versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s original television musical Cinderella, the original 1957 version starring Julie Andrews, the 1965 version starring Lesley Ann Warren and the 1997 version starring Brandy Norwood. In addition to casting and the various interpretations of the lead role in terms of physicality and vocality, the authors apply adaptive dramaturgy to the opening scene, Cinderella’s ‘In My Own Little Corner’, Cinderella and the prince’s ‘Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful’ and Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother’s ‘Impossible – It’s Possible’. Selected stage adaptations are also discussed.