Broadway Lament

Did all of you know that Beauty & the Beast is the 7th longest running Broadway show and that sometime in February it will pass Miss Saigon and take 6th place?

Whatever happened to class?

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I don't know what you're talking about. I saw Beauty and the Beast when I was 12 and thought it was the best thing since Super Nintendo. And I still think it's a very lovely show.

I have to agree, I do wish Beauty and the Beast would have started out as a Broadway musical but either way, I believe that Beauty and the Beast is truely a classy and well done production. When you think about it, it gives families a show that they can take their younger children to, and introduce them to the magic of live theatre. I know that many people may not consider a Disney musical true theatre, but hey when your five years old, it sure is a pretty good start.

Phantom05

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I think Beauty and Lion King are really incomparable. The Lion King must be seen simply because it's so unique; you will never see anything else like it, and the novelty effect is truly impressive. I also think the adaptation from the animated movie is unbelievably fascinating; the musical concept gave the story such a cultural depth. Beauty is more standard and traditional and reliable, the consummation of good family entertainment and storytelling. Though its themes are definitely debatable (the whole "true beauty is found within thing" is a fluke, when you think about it - otherwise the finall scene wouldn't feature a couple that should be on the cover of Vogue) - but I think that kind of stuff goes over kids' heads. I think they should both be seen.

Now, why would anyone be lamenting this?? How many thousands of children and adults across the country have had their first exposure to a Broadway musical with this show?

And like others have pointed out, if you didn't know it was based on an animated feature film, it stands pretty well on its own as a terrific story with a moral and killer songs. That's more than I can say for half the musicals I've seen lately.

You know something I would love? If, in the end of Beauty, when the beast turns into the prince, he would turn into a short, bald man with glasses. I would love to see that reaction. And I think the story would have much more depth.

Okay, I've got to join in on this topic.

I LOVE B & B! I think it is a fabulous production, for both adults and children. The music, costumes and production numbers are great (especially "Be Our Guest" and "Gaston"). The cast are all fantastic. I've seen the show 4 times and I still can't figure out how the transformation scene is done. Call me a romantic, but the ending is perfect. You leave the theatre feeling good.

On September 14th, I had the privilege of meeting David de Vries ("Lumiere") after the show and having a backstage tour (I was the high bidder on the Night of 1000 Stars Auction for the B & B VIP package). David was very kind and generous with his time. He is an incredibly talented performer. Steve Blanchard ("Beast") had been stuck in traffic and missed the matinee that day. The company manager, knowing how much I admire Steve, offered me a comp ticket for a future performance. Now that is class! (I did get to meet Steve briefly before the backstage tour, as he had just arrived at the theatre -- he was very sweet).

I'm a fan, no doubt! And proud of it. I hope B & B runs another 5 years. All involved with the production are to be congratulated for a job well done.

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Beauty and the Beast was amusing and entertaining - but I'm not sure I'd like to see it a second time.

Re the transformation - could they have used two actors to do the magic?

Jo

My dear friend,

They have been lamenting Broadway since I began dancing back in 1936!!!!!

It is hard to account for taste. One man's caviar is another's pretzel. Each person is different. It will continue. And so will Broadway!!!

Miriam

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Updated On: 10/1/03 at 10:04 AM

"So what we can assume from this information is that B&B is a better show than:

A Chorus Line
Oklahoma
Hello Dolly
My Fair Lady
Fiddler on the Roof
42nd Street
Our Town
Death of a Salesman
Arsenic & Old Lace"

No, we can assume it's been more successful in its initial Broadway run.

Currently the Top 10 order is:

Cats
Les Miz
Phantom
A Chorus Line
Oh! Calcutta!
Miss Saigon
B&B
42nd Street
Grease
Fiddler on the Roof

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I am not a fan of BatB as a stage show, but love the movie and do think that Menken/Ashman belong right up there with Lerner/Loewe. However, I thought that the show was over produced, with some of the worst costume ever on stage. When the clock and candlestick are bigger than the people, there is a lot less charm.

The movie is played straight, while the show tends to feel in places like a big budget TYA tour.

I think "The Lion King" is one of the most overrated Broadway shows I've ever seen. "B&tB" is a lot of fun and a spectacular treat (I saw it with Andrea McArdle as Belle). The best of all the Disney shows IMO is "Aida," in which Felicia Finley scored big time as Amneris and which has the best sets and costumes since "Camelot" with Richard Burton and Julie Andrews, or Peter Larkin's eye-poppers for Lucille Ball's "Wildcat."