I saw it on Wikipedia. It said that it will begin in Rhode Island. Is it true? I hope so beucase it was the first I ever saw on Broadway and would love to see it just once more.
Just remember (although I can't remember if it was confirmed or not)that even though it is Disney's Beauty & the Beast, I am pretty sure it is NOT the Broadway production tour that they had years ago, this one has different sets and costumes.
If it is anything like the one that was touring the UK and Europe, the new twists on the set are interesting, but the costumes of the housewares look cheap.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
Networks has confirmed that is an entirely new production. new set designs,costumes,make-up,lighting,special effects,direction, choreography. but they are working with members of the original creative team.
That should be interesting then, David Gallo's designs for the re'vamped tour that did Germany and i think the UK was nice for the outdoor scenes, but the castle was lacking and who ever did the costumes should be fired, Mrs. Potts was a big green jug and it looked really tacky.
Then again, I never liked the costumes in the original either. The house objects (except for cogsworth) looked terribly tacky and there was no sence of period to Belle's dresses, I know it's a Fairy Tale, but that yellow dress just looked like some one having fun with as many different kinds of yellow fabric they could find.
But the opening sequence and transformation in the original were fantastic for the time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre