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All of the action, humor and romance that made Walt Disney
Pictures' animated classic "Beauty and the Beast" a
favorite among film audiences also explains the popularity of
"Beauty and the Beast-Live On Stage" at Disney's
Hollywood Studios.
The 25-minute musical extravaganza uses elaborate props,
extravagant costumes, colorful production numbers and dramatic
special effects to tell the mesmerizing, fairy tale love story
of Belle and the Beast, which can been seen at Theater of the
Stars. Be sure to arrive early to check out a performance of Four
for a Dollar, the terrific preshow entertainment which
makes a great show even more exciting!
Many elements found in the film also are used in the stage
show, including the vocal talents of stage and screen stars
such as Robby Benson (Beast), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts, the
teapot), Jerry Orbach (Lumiere, the candelabra), David Ogden
Stiers of "M*A*S*H" (Cogsworth, the clock) and young
Bradley Pierce (Chip, the cup), who brought to life the film's
most endearing characters.
The stage production also borrows many of the film's
popular songs. Credit for the collection of toe-tapping tunes
belongs to Academy Award-winning composers Howard Ashman and
Alan Menken, who also collaborated on the score from "The
Little Mermaid."
"The stage show brings the film to life, while keeping
all the magic and wonder of the animated version," said
Jan Jacobsen, one of the show's stage managers.
As the show opens, audiences are welcomed by "Be Our
Guest," a fun, upbeat number, performed by a collection
of dancing chefs, bubbling bottles and a sherbet parfait that
becomes a beautiful show girl.
A quaint, French country village is where Belle, the
beautiful heroine, and Gaston, the over-sized villain with an
equally large ego, first appear and perform.
"The Mob Song" is the scariest and most
suspenseful part of the show and takes place in a dark forest
pierced with streaks of lightning, wolves' eyes and huge bats
with 8-foot wing spans. Here, Gaston leads the villagers on a
rampage to "kill the beast." This tirade results in
the emotional climax in which Belle proves that love conquers
all as the Beast miraculously transforms -- on stage -- into a
handsome prince!
In the final scene, Belle and her prince dance to the
tender theme song "Beauty and the Beast," recorded
by Angela Lansbury, while surrounded by dazzling special
effects, white doves and serenading beaus and maidens -- a
true fairy tale ending.
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