Disney will launch North American tour of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in 2025, Broadway stop next?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Disneys-BEAUTY-AND-THE-BEAST-To-Premiere-North-American-Tour-In-June-2025-20240125

The new tour will hold technical rehearsals and launch in Schenectady, NY at Proctors in June 2025, prior to the official opening in Chicago, IL at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in July, followed by a stop in Minneapolis, MN at the Orpheum Theatre in August. Casting and the anticipated two-year tour route will be announced at a later date.

Reuniting to create this new production are members of the original Tony Award-winning artistic team, including composer Alan Menken (who wrote the film's beloved score with the late lyricist Howard Ashman), lyricist Tim Rice, book writer Linda Woolverton, with direction and choreography by Matt West, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward and lighting design by Natasha Katz.

This has quietly been known to be in the works. The amateur rights even had a notice about bidding for them would only be allowed through the end of 2024. So there's a ton of community theaters and high schools doing it this year.

Great - so the cheap and projection filled UK production is coming across the pond... No doubt this will tour the U.S. and then come to Broadway in 2026.

This is probably the new licensed version, which cuts several songs and moments and simplifies the harmonies for a smaller or less trained ensemble. I hate those changes.

Is this an Equity tour, or is it going to be like the old BATB tours with a cast of twenty-somethings who have never appeared in anything except for college and community theatre productions?

Are they shortsighted or what? They already had an inferior tour not that long ago. Give us something as good as the original, or don’t bother.

Of course, will they care if they are catering to tourists, who are more used to scaled down productions, if they see them at all. This is sad; ironically, I was never crazy about the show because I thought it was too bloated. Only saw it twice, since I think the cartoon is infinitely better. I will admit that I even liked the televised version with Emma Watson.

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Is this an Equity tour, or is it going to be like the old BATB tours with a cast of twenty-somethings who have never appeared in anything except for college and community theatre productions?"

It is worth noting that this will be the first Disney-produced stage production of Beauty & the Beast to launch in North America in over two decades. So I'm guessing the former.

tacotheatrelover said: "Broadway Flash said: "Why don’t they just remount newsies back at the nederlander ? It never stopped making money on broadway and was actually good."

Or how about we tour Hunchback? Another Disney show that was actually good."

I don't think a 32-person choir would your well on an equity contract.

As a massive BATB fan (one of my first professional theater experiences was the opening night of the first national tour in ‘95), I agree that the newly ‘reimagined’ show is largely disappointing. It’s an even bigger disappointment when you remember they brought back original creatives (including scenic, choreography, costume) for this version…below is a quote from an interview with director/choreographer Matt West from when it launched in the UK, which is where I think they really missed the mark. They said this after lauding how massively successful the original production was:

“We decided to start over, to completely reinvent it, partly because we are all better now than we were back then,” says West with a grin. “It has been a fantastic opportunity to really dig into every aspect of the show, from the script to the choreography and the costumes.”

He adds that part of the aim was to make the production more fitting for today’s audience. “We wanted to modernise it, but in a very careful and respectful way. After all it is hugely well known, it’s the number one licensed production of all time. So it was more about giving it a modern flavour.”

SweetLips22 said: "I wonder how this would compare to the current production touring Australia? It is visually stunning, full of life and great talent. I feel it could transfer to Broadway as is. We indeed have quality talent here that I would love to see stand proud on Broadway."

It will be a replica production, but local cast unless Equity work out some sort of performer swap. Importing talent happens rarely from time to time, but needs a lot of support from the producers for it to get across the line.

Will this be a traditional take on the show - like the original production. Or are they airing for something new?

The tour will be using the tier 3 touring contract. Disney could afford to tour this on the highest level contract, so I’m shocked equity approved this.