Fran Drescher feels Broadway 'butterflies'

Written by Mark Kennedy, Seattle PI

NEW YORK (AP) — Fran Drescher recently turned a corner in her life. She's gotten a new pet, a new man and a new job — on Broadway.

The Emmy Award-nominated former star of "The Nanny" is making her Broadway debut Tuesday as the wicked stepmother in "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella," a step she knows is outside her comfort zone.

"People should always push themselves to feel the butterflies in the stomach, to get nervous, to learn something you didn't know before," the 56-year-old says.

Drescher takes over from Tony Award-winner Harriet Harris on Tuesday night for a 10-week engagement through April 13 at the Broadway Theatre. Cinderella is also switching, from Tony-nominated Laura Osnes to "Call Me Maybe" Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen.

"Canadians are such sweet people, aren't they? They have no edge," the nasally voiced Drescher jokes before a full day of fittings, choreography and rehearsals. Her phone has been blowing up with excited texts and emails from friends about her next move.

She might be nervous but Drescher — a survivor of uterine cancer — puts it in perspective.

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