Broadway debuts first African-American 'Cinderella'
It was more than just another photo-op. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say a little bit of history was being made here today. For the 1st time on Broadway, the iconic roles of "Cinderella" and her wicked step-mother are being played by African-American women.
"I think little girls and boys seeing Keke sing 'the impossible is possible' is really going to plant a seed that they can do anything," said Sherri Shepherd, playing the "Wicked Stepmother",
"Oh, that's awesome. Thanks Sherri!" said Keke Palmer, playing "Cinderella".
Keke Palmer is the youngest person to ever have her own TV talk show.
Sherri Shepherd just left "The View" after seven seasons.
Both hope to use this musical to inspire as they were once inspired.
"I mean I'm grateful to play it. That's how I was when I saw Brandy play it on TV.
I mean I was like oh my gosh that's a reality," Palmer said.
"When I was a little girl the reason I wanted to be an actress, I saw Stephanie Mills in 'The Wiz' and I remember seeing someone like myself and saying oh my gosh I can do that," Shepherd said.
WATCH THEIR FULL INTERVIEW HERE:
Sherri Shepherd and Keke Palmer star in 'Cinderella' on Broadway
"Cinderella" with music by Rogers and Hammerstein has been running for a year and a half.
Filling these famous shoes is a big responsibility but less than a week before her opening; the 21-year-old star seems calm compared to her friend.
"The first time I saw it I was like, 'Keke look at all these lines! We have to memorize all these lines?!' Scared to death, like right now, still scared," Shepherd said.
"Yes. It's definitely overwhelming. The first week, my wife flew back and I was like 'Keke honey, how we going to do this? This is crazy," Palmer's husband said.
NEW YORK (WABC) --
It was more than just another photo-op. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say a little bit of history was being made here today. For the 1st time on Broadway, the iconic roles of "Cinderella" and her wicked step-mother are being played by African-American women.
"I think little girls and boys seeing Keke sing 'the impossible is possible' is really going to plant a seed that they can do anything," said Sherri Shepherd, playing the "Wicked Stepmother",
"Oh, that's awesome. Thanks Sherri!" said Keke Palmer, playing "Cinderella".
Keke Palmer is the youngest person to ever have her own TV talk show.
Sherri Shepherd just left "The View" after seven seasons.
Both hope to use this musical to inspire as they were once inspired.
"I mean I'm grateful to play it. That's how I was when I saw Brandy play it on TV.
I mean I was like oh my gosh that's a reality," Palmer said.
"When I was a little girl the reason I wanted to be an actress, I saw Stephanie Mills in 'The Wiz' and I remember seeing someone like myself and saying oh my gosh I can do that," Shepherd said.
WATCH THEIR FULL INTERVIEW HERE:
Sherri Shepherd and Keke Palmer star in 'Cinderella' on Broadway
"Cinderella" with music by Rogers and Hammerstein has been running for a year and a half.
Filling these famous shoes is a big responsibility but less than a week before her opening; the 21-year-old star seems calm compared to her friend.
"The first time I saw it I was like, 'Keke look at all these lines! We have to memorize all these lines?!' Scared to death, like right now, still scared," Shepherd said.
"Yes. It's definitely overwhelming. The first week, my wife flew back and I was like 'Keke honey, how we going to do this? This is crazy," Palmer's husband said.