Beauty and the Beast is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton. Based on the 1991 film of the same name, which was in turn adapted from the French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a prince who is transformed into a hideous beast as punishment for his cruel and selfish ways, and an adventurous young woman named Belle whom he imprisons in his castle. In order to become human again, the Beast must earn Belle's love before it's too late.
| Beauty and the Beast | |
|---|---|
| [1]
Vocal Selections Cover Art | |
| Music | Alan Menken |
| Lyrics | Howard Ashman |
| Book | Linda Woolverton |
| Basis | 1991 Disney film Beauty and the Beast |
| Productions | 1993 Houston (tryout) 1994 Broadway 1995 Los Angeles
1995 Melbourne
1995 Toronto
1995 Vienna
1995 US Tour |
Instrumentation[edit][]
Music Theatre International offers two orchestrations for Beauty and the Beast.
The principal, larger orchestration is based on the original Broadway orchestration. It requires three keyboards, drums, percussion, double bass, three woodwind players, three French horns, two trumpets, trombone, divided violins, cellos, and harp. The first woodwind player doubles on flute and piccolo, the second on English horn and oboe, and the third on clarinet, bass clarinet, and flute. The trombonist doubles on bass trombone and tuba.
The original Broadway orchestration featured two additional woodwind players. The first played flute and piccolo, the second English horn and oboe, the third piccolo, flute, and clarinet, the fourth piccolo, flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet, and the fifth on bassoon and contrabassoon. The excised reed parts were folded into the keyboard parts upon their removal for the licensed orchestration.
The optional reduced orchestration requires two keyboards, percussion, double bass, three woodwind players, a trumpet, a French horn, and solo violin and cello.
Cast information[edit][]
- Original Broadway Cast
- Belle - Susan Egan
- Mrs. Potts - Beth Fowler
- Madame de la Grande Bouche - Eleanor Glockner
- Babette - Stacey Logan
- Notable Broadway cast replacements (approximate dates given where available)[5][24]
- Belle: Sarah Uriarte Berry (1995-1996, 2006), Kerry Butler (1996–1997), Deborah Gibson (1997–1998), Toni Braxton (1998–1999; first African American to play Belle on Broadway), Andrea McArdle (1999–2000), Sarah Litzsinger (2000-2002, 2003 & 2006), Jamie-Lynn Sigler (2002–2003, Broadway Debut), Megan McGinnis (2003–2004), Christy Carlson Romano (2004), Ashley Brown (2005–2006, Broadway Debut), Anneliese van der Pol (2007, Broadway Debut, Closing Cast). A total of seventeen actresses have played the part of Belle in the Broadway production, with Litzsinger playing it the longest.[25]
- Babette: Ann Mandrella (2007 Closing Cast)
- Recordings[edit]
The Original Broadway Cast Recording was released on April 26, 1994. The CD included Susan Egan as Belle, Terrence Mann as Beast, Burke Moses as Gaston, Gary Beach as Lumiere and Beth Fowler as Mrs Potts.
The Original Australian Cast Recording was released in 1995. The principal cast included Rachael Beck as Belle, , Toni Lamond as Madame De La Grande Bouche Robyn Arthur as Mrs Potts
The Original Vienna Cast Recording was released in 1996. The Caroline Vasicek as Belle,
Ann Mandrella as Babette, and Rosita Mewis as Mrs. Potts.
The Original London Cast Recording was released in 1997. The principal cast included Julie-Alanah Brighten as Belle, Mary Millar as Mrs Potts.
The Original Stuttgart Cast Recording was released in 1998. The principal cast included Leah Delos Santos as Belle and Ann Mandrella as Babette.
The Original Madrid Cast Recording was released in 1999. The principal cast included Xenia Reguant as Belle, Kirby Navarro as Mrs Potts. A second cast recording for the new production was released in May 2008, starring Julia Möller as Belle, and Angels Jiménez as Mrs Potts.
Original London production[edit][]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Musical | Won | |
| Best Theatre Choreographer | Matt West | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Ann Hould-Ward | Nominated | ||