TV icon and fan favorite Fran Drescher is back under the stage lights, channeling a deliciously devious wicked stepmother in Cinderella at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre after a celebrated Broadway run. For audiences who missed her in New York, this engagement offers a fresh chance to see her theatrical flair up close—complete with glamor, humor, and a performance calibrated for every seat in the house. Catch the production through April 26.
Bringing a Beloved Villain to Life in Los Angeles
Drescher relishes returning to a role that marries her comedic instincts with classic fairy-tale flair. Performing in the city where she’s currently living, she’s thrilled that local fans who couldn’t make it to Broadway now get to witness the show in person. She describes the production as vibrant and joy-filled—an experience that leaves audiences energized and smiling.
A big part of the fun, she notes, is the chance to slip into extravagant costumes that transform her into a grand, larger-than-life figure. The Ahmanson Theatre’s stage is both a challenge and a privilege, and she embraces the opportunity to make the venue’s expansive space feel intimate, engaging, and alive.
How the Role Came Knocking
The invitation to join Cinderella arrived nearly a year into the show’s run—a smart pairing, Drescher explains, because the musical’s broad, multigenerational audience mirrors the devoted fan base of The Nanny. That crossover boosted momentum and ticket demand.
Her Los Angeles stint happened unexpectedly. The role on the national tour became available when the actress playing the part needed knee surgery. Producers asked Drescher to step in for six weeks. She carefully weighed the offer—newly married, she had been keeping a lower profile, prioritizing time to nurture her partnership and build a strong foundation with her husband. Coming together later in life, she explains, means learning how to merge two full, independent lives into a supportive “us.” Ultimately, the timing felt right, and the stage called.
From Off-Broadway Roots to a Major L.A. Stage
Though best known for television, Drescher’s theater roots run deep. She has performed Off-Broadway and appeared briefly at Lincoln Center in Camelot for PBS. Cinderella marked her first Broadway outing—and now, the Ahmanson represents her first time anchoring a major Los Angeles theater.
Playing to the Back Row—With Style
Her performance approach is unapologetically bold. “I’m no shrinking violet,” she quips in spirit, and she means it. She throws her voice and presence to the furthest balcony, deploying outsized gestures and impeccable timing to ensure every audience member gets a full experience. The custom-designed costumes and hats match that energy—sumptuous, glamorous, and intentionally larger than life—helping the character read clearly, even from afar.
That attention to scale and spectacle is part of why audiences leave feeling they received true value—comedy you can hear, visuals you can savor, and a performance that fills the room.
The High-Wire Thrill of Live Performance
Stage work, Drescher notes, is a high-wire act. There’s no safety net, no “take two.” If a line goes astray or a moment veers off course, actors must find their way back in real time. Anything can happen—onstage or off—and that unpredictability is part of the magic.
To succeed, she treats theater like a discipline rooted in focus: a kind of zen concentration. Let your mind wander, and the lines slip. Keep a single-minded focus, and the performance locks in. She approaches each show with professionalism and humility—“a gun for hire,” intent on doing the job impeccably every night.
Why Cinderella Connects Right Now
Audiences embrace stories like Cinderella, especially when the world feels uncertain. In turbulent times, people often seek solace in either spirituality or fantasy. Current entertainment reflects this, with religious narratives and whimsical tales both rising. Cinderella delivers an escape that’s hopeful, familiar, and emotionally satisfying—a comforting antidote to daily stress.
Movie Musicals, Old-School Style
Would Drescher do a movie musical? Absolutely—especially if it echoed classic Hollywood, where stars sometimes dubbed songs with the help of professional singers. While she sings at home and enjoys it, she modestly says she isn’t on the same level as her powerhouse castmates. Fortunately, her Cinderella role leans on dialogue, and her limited vocal moments are largely spoken—a smart fit for her strengths as a comic actress and storyteller.
Dream Roles That Fit the Moment
Asked which musical she’d take on, Drescher points to Gypsy as a strong match for who she is now—savvy, seasoned, and ready to command a stage. She could also imagine stepping into Hello, Dolly!, though she candidly says big vocal showcases aren’t her primary lane. What she brings instead is a distinct blend of comedic timing, charisma, and stage presence that audiences instantly recognize.
What’s Next: Directing, Producing, and Purpose-Driven Work
Drescher is developing two new projects: a feature film she plans to direct—checking off a long-standing bucket-list goal—and a Broadway musical where she’ll serve as writer and producer. Details remain under wraps for now, but the trajectory is clear: expansion, creativity, and control of her artistic voice.
Equally important is balance. For the first time, she feels at ease acknowledging that she’s “made it”—and that it’s okay to ease off the career treadmill and enjoy life’s rewards. Fame gives her the freedom to pause, then spark new ventures when inspiration strikes. Her audience is loyal; her social presence is active; and her brand stays strong in part to support her nonprofit, Cancer Schmancer, which focuses on prevention and early detection for better health outcomes.
A New Pace—and a Wider Lens on Life
What drove this shift? Drescher says it’s a healthier outlook—letting the inner child’s urge to always say “Look at me!” relax a little. She’s visible, present, and grateful, and she’s ready to savor the moments between projects just as much as the spotlight itself.
She also finds perspective by watching loved ones move into their eighties and remembering when they were her age. It prompts conversations with her husband about time—how many robust years are left to travel, explore, and say yes without hesitation? While she still feels fully capable of doing anything, she’s focused on inhaling life now: embracing experiences with her partner and making the most of this vibrant chapter.
Why This Matters for Theatergoers and Fans
Fran Drescher’s turn as Cinderella’s wicked stepmother is more than a novelty casting—it’s a joyful, high-style performance rooted in craft and charged with personality. It reflects where she is as an artist and as a person: confident, deliberate, and open to wonder. For fans, it’s a chance to see a screen favorite transform onstage. For the industry, it’s a reminder that star power, when paired with discipline and heart, can make a classic feel brand new.
Whether you come for the fairy tale, the laughter, or the sheer spectacle, this Cinderella delivers an evening of uplift—and a performer who knows exactly how to give every row in the house their money’s worth.