Mark Brokaw to Helm Broadway's CINDERELLA in 2012-2013

Mark Brokaw will direct the new, first-ever Broadway-bound production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, it has been announced by Robyn Goodman, who will produce the musical along with Aged in Wood Productions.

With music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II, CINDERELLA is aiming for an opening in the 2012-13 season on Broadway following a workshop production in April.

CINDERELLA reunites Mr. Brokaw with Mr. Carter Beane, having directed the original productions of the playwright's comedies AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN and MUSIC FROM A SPARKLING PLANET.

Mr. Brokaw's credits on Broadway include directing the musical CRY BABY along with the plays THE CONSTANT WIFE, RECKLESS and AFTER MISS JULIE. He has directed the musicals A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration), MARTY (Huntington Theatre Company), and Cole Porter's OUT OF THIS WORLD (Encores!). He directed the Pulitzer Prize-winning production of Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE along with her plays THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME and THE BALTIMORE WALTZ. He most recently directed the world-premiere of THE LYONS. He has directed Kenneth Lonergan's plays LOBBY HERO and THIS IS OUR YOUTH. His other Off-Broadway credits include 2.5 MINUTE RIDE, THE GOOD TIMES ARE KILLING ME, THE NEW YORK IDEA, THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE, THE RIMERS OF ELDRITCH and THE DYING GAUL. Mr. Brokaw is the Artistic Director of the Yale Institute for Music Theatre.

Mr. Beane's new book for Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA re-invents the classic tale of a maid-turned-princess with fresh comedy, wit and satire: with pumpkin, glass slippers, Fairy Godmother and other story elements intact, it is now Cinderella's turn to rescue the Prince, reminding us once again that in a cruel world the act that matters most is kindness.

In addition to musical numbers from the original score -- including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" -- this new production of CINDERELLA will include several songs from the Rodgers & Hammerstein trunk.

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein's most popular titles, CINDERELLA -- which was written for television and debuted in 1957 starring Julie Andrews -- has never been performed on Broadway, although stage adaptations have been performed worldwide since 1958. Along with CINDERELLA, Rodgers & Hammerstein's legendary musicals include OKLAHOMA!, CAROUSEL, THE KING AND I, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Douglas Carter Beane is the author of numerous plays: THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED (Best Play Tony nomination), AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN and MUSIC FROM A SPARKLING PLANET. He received Tony nominations for Best Book of a Musical for XANADU and SISTER ACT, and wrote the book for the Broadway musical LYSISTRATA JONES.

Robyn Goodman produced two Tony Award-winning musicals: AVENUE Q and IN THE HEIGHTS. Other Broadway credits include BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, METAMORPHOSES, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK and WEST SIDE STORY (2009). She was co-founder and artistic director of Second Stage Theatre for 13 years and is currently the artistic consultant to Roundabout Theatre Company, where she is the Producer of its Underground Series.

Aged in Wood Productions -- led by Robyn Goodman, Stephen Kocis and Josh Fiedler - most recently produced AVENUE Q (Tony Award 2004), IN THE HEIGHTS (Tony Award 2008), WEST SIDE STORY, AMERICAN IDIOT and ALTAR BOYZ.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos