Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher, and Broadway in Chicago presents Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the first North American touring production presented by Disney in over 25 years.
A self-absorbed prince is cursed by an enchantress. He is condemned to bestial form until he learns to love and is loved. Belle is restless in her provincial life. When her father fails to return to their village, she goes in search of him. She stumbles into the Beast’s castle where she trades her freedom to save her dad. Belle becomes less captive and more captivated by the servant fixtures and their mysterious boss.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then someone bends
Unexpectedly
Disney, the makers of the Magic Kingdom, took the 1740 fairy tale written by the French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and transformed it into an animated film (1991), a staged musical (1994), a live action movie (2017) and now a North American touring production (2025). The creative team, Linda Woolverton (book), Alan Menkin (music), Howard Ashman (lyrics), conjured up a transformative tale of standing up to bullies, learning from mistakes and seeing beyond first impressions. The show leans into vulnerable humanity while bursting with humorous life musings. Menkin and Ashman established the original score for the animated version. The swaggering “Gaston”, delightful “Be Our Guest” and romantic “Beauty and the Beast” are memorable fan favorites. For the staged version, Tim Rice (lyrics) collaborated with Menken to add additional depth and songs for the couple’s courtship.
At the heart of the story is the budding relationship between Kyra Belle Johnson (Belle) and Fergie L. Philippe (Beast). The effervescent Johnson charms as the plucky heroine. She shuts down a pompous Gaston (played by a hilarious Stephen Mark Lukas), kicks it up with the Can-can dancers and literally ‘tames the beast.’ She delivers a searingly beautiful “A Change in Me” solo. Her chemistry with Philippe is all kinds of sweet. She responds to his brutish behavior initially with fear, followed by reproach and later with kindness. Philippe has all the feels … rage, awkward, excited, hopeful, love. His ability to swing to extremes punctuates the humor and makes him endearingly human. In a library scene, his boyish eagerness over a book is adorable. In contrast, his fierce “If I Can’t Love Her” is a compelling reflection on his own powerlessness.
Director and Choreographer Matt West paces this to perfection with the support of his dynamic designers and energetic ensemble! Scenic Designers Stanley A. Meyer (scenic), Natasha Katz (lighting) and Darrel Maloney (Projection/Video) team up to seamlessly take the audience from sunny village to gloomy woods to majestic fortress. The musical number “Be Our Guest” is a showstopper. Ann Hould-Ward (costumes) adds to the colorful spectacle with multiple wardrobe changes. The ensemble go from polished flatware to ruffled skirts to golden top hats. They tap. They kickline. And my favorite, they lay down on the stage. A camera captures their kaleidoscope movements for this mesmerizing dance sequence. West’s stagecraft dazzles! In the finale, Jim Steinmeyer (illusion) gives Philippe a bewitching onstage metamorphosis. In a word… magic!
To retreat from the heat -both the weather and political climates- of your provincial life, go and experience Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST The Musical. It’s your ticket for an evening with a guaranteed happy ending!
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast
Running Time: Two hours and thirty minutes includes an intermission.
At Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph
Based on the 1991 Academy Award-winning animated feature film
Book by Linda Woolverton
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
Music directed and conducted by David Andrews Rogers
Directed and choreographed by Matt West
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 7 PM
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 1 PM and 6:30 PM
Thru August 2
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Matthew Murphy
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago
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