Beauty and the Beast - Broadway or off Broadway - question

[plummer925]

I apologize if this is the wrong thread to post this in!

My DH and I are college students (older students...lol) and for our English Lit class we have to see a live "play". Beauty and the Beast is playing at a "local" (3 1/2 hours away!) theater.

I was wondering if anyone has seen it - particularly if anyone has seen the "off Broadway" production.

How is it?

Thanks!!!

Crystal

 

[mommykds]

My Dh & I took our 3 kids to see B&B on Broadway 2 weeks ago. I knew it would be "Disney" quality but I was very impressed.

The singing was magnificent, the costumes were elaborate, & the scenery amazing. We all enjoyed it very much.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I've seen the touring company twice; the costumes are phenominal. Seeing how the production reproduces Chip, how the Beast transforms into the prince at the end of the final sequence and how "Be Our Guest" is brought to life is really cool.

There are several songs in the Broadway version that are not in the original movie. "Home" is one of the most beautiful Broadway songs I've ever heard. It's on my iPod! "Human Again" is included in the new version of the DVD. "Change in Me" was added posthumously and is lovely.

I think I need to go get my CD out now!

I think it depends on what you're looking for...I'm not sure if I would drive 3.5 hours to see it, but you could make a nice weekend out of it. Go to dinner, see the show then spend the night in a nice little B&B...it wouldn't seem so much like schoolwork then! I should send this post to MY DH –– hint, hint!!

 

[Chrissie-riel]

Oh, definitely go! It is really pretty, no matter where you see it. Obviously, I've seen the "original" down in MGM numerous times - so cute. I have seen the touring company production three times, and it was amazing! St. Louis is also home to a great local company called the MUNY that puts on 7 outdoor musicals per year. Last summer was the first year they were granted the rights to perform B&B. I guess it could be termed an off-off Broadway production. I was still enchanted! I can't imagine that Disney would allow someone to put on their play without ensuring that it was a decent production.

 

[SamRoc]

There are alot of good productions of Beauty and the Beast in theaters now and touring across the country. My dd's friend just played Belle in Mississippi and was fantastic. If you do come to NYC to see it on Broadway the new Belle is amazing. Her name is Ashley Brown and is making her Broadway debut. She was born to play this role. I have been lucky enough to see this show about 5 times in the past few years and she ranks up there with the original Susan Egan. Sometimes Disney has brought in name people like Deborah Gibson or Toni Braxton (whose voice is so low that they had to lower the key for her) to sell tickets. Thank goodness the right girl is now in this show, my dd and I went to see this production a few weeks ago and were amazed at her talent. Her voice, her look, her acting, everything was right, Ashley Brown is the perfect Belle.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've seen Beauty & the Beast (the touring company)
three times and it was absolutely wonderful every time. I've been watching for it to come back because I'd love to see it again.

They do an incredible job, I think you'll find it's worth the $$$ and the 3 1/2 hour drive!

 

[skooniebird]

I apologize if this is the wrong thread to post this in!

My DH and I are college students (older students...lol) and for our English Lit class we have to see a live "play". Beauty and the Beast is playing at a "local" (3 1/2 hours away!) theater.

I was wondering if anyone has seen it - particularly if anyone has seen the "off Broadway" production.

How is it?

Thanks!!!

Crystal

DH and I saw it at the Chicago Theatre about 7 yrs ago. It was awesome. My kids school goes to "Students to the Theatre" in Chicago in junior high. Daughter's class saw Wicked this year and the parents who went were so impressed.

 

[kaysmommie]

We took our daughter to see b&B on broadway for her fifth B'DAY it was awesome!!! I love the Broadway one. I would think the touring one is a close second. MGM is cute but nothing like Broadway.

 

[lovespoohbear]

DH and I saw it at the Chicago Theatre about 7 yrs ago. It was awesome. My kids school goes to "Students to the Theatre" in Chicago in junior high. Daughter's class saw Wicked this year and the parents who went were so impressed.

your daughter is lucky wicked is an awsome play.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I saw Beauty and the Beast on Broadway..well..at a Philadelphia theater when it was touring. It was awesome! It was my first Broadway play that I've seen, and it was awesome! I've also seen the one in MGM, which was also awesome, but wasn't as good as the Broadway one.

This August me, my mom, and my 2 grandmoms are going to see The Lion King in Philly. I'm so excited! All Disney performances, whether is Broadway, movies, or the shows at the parks, are stellar!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think by off-Broadway you may mean the tour? Tours are cast with Equity actors - the same folks who do the Broadway shows. (Equity is the actor's union - it's like SAG for stage actors)

It's the exact same production - some of the sets are just downsized slightly to make sure that it can fit into the varying theaters around the country.

Beauty and the Beast is worth EVERY penny!! The transformation of the Beast is one of the most amazing effects you'll ever see. He transforms in mid-air.

I'm going to put this over to the Community Forum since it's not really a theme park issue.

 

[Robo]

Disney has many Touring Companies performing B&B around the world.

We've seen it several times. VERY Good.

The last time it came to Kansas City, we had front-row center, just the best seats possible, and that cast and show were unforgettable.

Gaston was played with a swagger I'd not seen in any other version of the show.
I called it "ELVIS as Gaston".
He was hysterical (in an evil sort of way).

The whole cast seemed to still be ENJOYING doing the show... it was fresh and alive.

I knew at the time that we would never see this show this same way again.

So never pass a chance to see live theater, especially when the script (book), music, and production effects are as GOOD as Disney's road-show B&B!

 

[plummer925]

Oh, thank you everyone!!! I'm so glad that it's going to be a great performance!!! I'm excited to see it!!!!

I appreciate everybody's honest answers to my questions!!!

Thank you again! I will post again after March 31st when we see it!!!