Agreed about the new book. It sort of takes the edge out when the cartoon quality is taken away.
A tame Mary Testa as Older Belle and then a busty belter as Young Belle giving us a showstopping title song in the middle of Act Two instead of a throwaway song at the very top of the show like the 99 revival.
I saw a stock package with Jack Carter, Kaye Stevens (Remember her? Six feet tall without the spike heels, red hair piled up higher than a Palin and ba-zooms that made an entrance three beats before the rest of her came into view. Plus she could sing and had a great sense of comedy. A great combo and a real entertainer.), Harold Lang and Benay Benuta. This toured the Music Fair circuit in 1964.
I also think this is a show that needs performers rather than actors (Forum is another) since the roles are drawn with the broadest of brush strokes. They are types rather than characters.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher