Beauty and the Beast

Recently Updated

"Beauty and the Beast" is a beloved musical based on the 1991 Disney animated film of the same name, which in turn was based on the French fairy tale "La Belle et la Bête" by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. The musical features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton.

The original Broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast" premiered in 1994 and ran for over 13 years, making it one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. The show was also a hit in London's West End and has been produced in numerous other countries around the world. In addition to the stage productions, "Beauty and the Beast" has also been adapted into a successful live-action film, as well as a number of other adaptations for stage and screen.

The musical features a talented cast of characters, including Belle, a book-loving young woman who falls in love with the Beast, a cursed prince who must learn to love and be loved in order to break the curse. Other key characters include Lumiere, a charming candlestick; Cogsworth, a strict clock; Mrs. Potts, a maternal teapot; and Gaston, a vain and arrogant hunter who seeks to win Belle's affection. The show's iconic score includes such memorable songs as "Be Our Guest," "Gaston," and the titular "Beauty and the Beast."