Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park is a live-action, 25-minute, Broadway-style musical for Guests of all ages based on the hit film. "Be our Guest" for this enchanting production of "a tale as old as time" at the lavish 1,500-seat Theater of the Stars along Sunset Boulevard. Relive all the romance and magic of the classic Disney film in this elaborately staged, effects-laden production that brings to life the classic love story of Belle and the Beast, and features Disney character favorites like Gaston, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and more. Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage recounts the beauty of the original film. Through the use of extravagant costumes and vivid set pieces, showstopping dance numbers, and 5 classic songs-including "Be Our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast"-it's a show that promises a fairy tale ending every time.
The show opens like the Broadway musical: A beggar woman asks a spoiled and selfish prince if he will allow her to stay in his castle for the night from the bitter cold, in exchange for a single rose. The prince turns her away. Because his heart is cold, the beggar woman punishes the prince by transforming him in to an ugly, scary, hideous, Beast. Everyone in the castle gets a punishing transformation as well. The prince can only break the spell by learning to love another, and earning their love in return. Years later, Belle is walking in the quiet little French village where she lives. The other villagers agree that Belle is beautiful, but she is also no ordinary character. Gaston, the handsome young hunter of the town, tells Belle he loves her and asks her to marry him. ("Belle" / "Gaston"). Belle politely refuses. Soon though, "under a series of mysterious circumstances", Belle finds herself inside the Beast's enchanted castle. She is confronted by the magical castle inhabitants, Cogsworth (a mantle clock), Lumiere (a handsome candelabra), Mrs. Potts (a kind and gentle teapot), and her son, Chip (a charming little teacup). Cogsworth thinks that they made a mistake by allowing Belle inside, but the others believe she could be the one to break the curse. So they throw her a feast and, simultaneously invite her to "Be Our Guest". The Beast abruptly ends the celebration and expresses his fear that Belle could never learn to love him. Belle, on a tour through the castle, enters the West Wing and discovers the rose. The Beast is furious at Belle, because he told her never to enter the West Wing. All of this causes Belle and the Beast to argue. But the others advise Beast to be a gentleman, because Belle could be the one to break the curse. The castle's charming inhabitants discover that there is "Something There" that wasn't there before ("Something There"), and the two fall in love. We return to the tiny French village where we started, and Gaston declares that Belle has rejected him for the last time. He convinces the villagers that the Beast is a monster, and the village is not safe until he is dead. So they decide to "Kill The Beast!" ("The Mob Song") The townspeople take over the castle, ruining everything in sight. Gaston fights the Beast, and Belle appears just to see Gaston make his final blow. Seeing the Beast nearly dead, Belle admits she loves him. This breaks the curse, and the Beast is magically transformed back into the handsome prince. The entire cast returns for a final dance, and declare that the love of "Beauty and the Beast" will thrive forever. Instantly, Belle and the prince reappear in their traditional costumes. During the curtain call, Belle and the Prince give a lucky person in the audience a rose.
Order of Songs in the Current Version:
- "Prologue: The Enchantress"
- "Belle" / "Gaston"
- "Belle (Reprise)"
- "Be Our Guest"
- "Something There"
- "The Mob Song"
- "Beauty and the Beast"
- The show's exit music after the final curtain is dropped features the pop version of title song performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson
Touring Tips
- Arrive 20 minutes prior to the show to be guaranteed a seat.
- Although the stage is clearly visible from most of the amphitheater, sitting in the middle or rear of the theater offers a view of the entire stage and the sets.
- This show lasts approximately 20 minutes and is performed several times each day.
- After a Beauty and the Beast show lets out, nearby attractions such as Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster may be swamped. Shopping along Sunset Boulevard for a while after the show may be a better bet than attempting to fight the crowds.
- The nearest restrooms and telephones are located at the end of Sunset Boulevard, to the right as you exit the Theater of the Stars.
- Although there are no character Meet and Greet opportunities at this attraction, Belle and Beast can sometimes be found in other locations around Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Facts
- The show features some of the beloved vocal talents from the hit film, including Robby Benson as the Beast, Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts and Jerry Orbach as Lumiere.
- Two versions of the show have been presented since opening day. The stage show changed considerably from the original version to the currently running version, causing it to more closely resemble 1991 film of the same name. However, because the show is condensed to approximately 25 minutes, many cuts and edits are made.
- The Second Version of the show debuted in March 2001 and now features the songs much nearer to the order in which they are presented in the film. It is currently the longest-running stage show at a Walt Disney World Theme Park.
- The show was featured on Oprah Winfrey's talk show, when Oprah went to Disney World. She and some of her audience members got to see Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson perform the main title song from the movie. Characters such as Belle, The Prince, Chip, Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and Cogsworth also appear.
- When the show first premiered, excerpts from the show were shown during the 1991 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.
History
The Original Version opened for the film's 1991 premiere. Its first performance was at 1:30pm on November 22, 1991, the same day the film was released. When the Theater of the Stars was moved in September 1993 (to make room for the construction of Sunset Boulevard), the show was temporarly moved to the Backlot Theater on New York Street. The show reopened in July 1994, in the now covered & newly rebuilt Theater of the Stars on Sunset Blvd.