Opened: April 18, 1994

Book by: Linda Woolverton

Music by: Alan Menken

Lyrics by: Howard Ashman & Tim Rice

Original Broadway Cast: Susan Egan, Terrence Mann, Burke Moses, Gary Beach & Beth Fowler 

Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme…yet this storyline never seems to bore.

Adapted from the 1991 Disney film, this feels like it was always meant to be on stage. After her father is kidnapped, Belle takes his place as Beast’s prisoner. The enchanted objects of the castle see Belle as their last chance to break the spell that took them from their human form.

Like any Disney film-to-stage adaption, this show benefits from time expansion. Favorite characters are expanded and beautiful musical numbers are added, but the best part is seeing the original numbers (namely “Be Our Guest”) come to life and thrive on stage.

The only bad thing about this show is LeFou. Gaston’s sidekick is nothing less than annoying and a fool compared to his animated counterpart.

Final say: Be this show’s guest. ★★★★☆