FLASH: Tale As Old As Time, Now In 3D - BEAUTY & THE BEAST
by Pat Cerasaro
- Jan 21, 2012
Today we are honoring the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, which went on to win in the categories of Best Song and Best Score for Broadway's own Alan Menken and Howard Ashman - Disney's tale as old as time; the much-beloved and cherished BEAUTY & THE BEAST. Based on the French fairytale of its namesake, BEAUTY & THE BEAST was a landmark achievement in animated film and proved that Disney's previous animation renaissance mega-hit THE LITTLE MERMAID - also penned by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman - was much more than merely a fluke. A new age of animated film treated totally seriously by critics and audiences alike allowed for Disney to continue on with even more success in the following years with even bigger family-friendly hits like ALADDIN and THE LION KING. Yet, BEAUTY & THE BEAST is the most elegant and enrapturing of all Disney animated films from the last century and just may be the very finest of all their animated features that came to pass during that era of renewed interest in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Featuring the vocal talents of legendary stage and screen star Angela Lansbury - check out our extensive InDepth InterView for a few recollections about that experience here - as well as Broadway's own Paige O'Hara and TV/film notable Robby Benson - both of whom will be featured in extensive InDepth InterViews right here on BroadwayWorld next week. Beginning with a prologue and opening song sequence - "Belle" - to rank among the very best not only in film, but stage musicals, as well, BEAUTY & THE BEAST is a rich French country meal topped off by a dizzying array of aural, visual, emotional, comedic and dramatic treats. 'Belle' is merely the starter bread - or, should I say, pain. So, today, we pay tribute to BEAUTY & THE BEAST as it roars back to movie theaters nationwide, now in a diligently-recreated and astonishingly imagined brand new 3D realization. Before you go see all the stunning sights and sounds of the film itself, whether sampling the 3D version in your home 3D studio or out at the Cineplex, here we have some of the finest musical moments to delight in from the storied history of the immensely successful Disney classic in all three of its versions - original animated film, Broadway stage musical and 3D movie experience.
STAGE TUBE: On This Day 1/10- THE LITTLE MERMAID
by Nicole Rosky
- Jan 10, 2012
Today in 2008, The Little Mermaid opened at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre, where it ran for 685 performances. The Little Mermaid is based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. The musical's book is by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (written for the film) and new lyrics by Glenn Slater. The musical had a pre-Broadway tryout in Denver, Colorado in July through early September 2007. The original cast featured Sierra Boggess in the title role of Ariel, Sean Palmer as Prince Eric, Brian D'Addario and Trevor Braun alternate as Flounder, Norm Lewis as King Triton, Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, Tyler Maynard as Flotsam, Derrick Baskin as Jetsam, Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby, and John Treacy Egan as Chef Louis.
BWW's BEST OF 2011 Video Flashback - The Top 50!
by BWW Special Coverage
- Dec 27, 2011
2012 is quickly approaching, and in celebration of the new year, BroadwayWorld will celebrate 2011 with lists of our biggest features of the year! Below are BroadwayWorld.com's most popular videos from 2011 (in no particular order)! Catch up below on anything that you might have missed from the past year on BroadwayWorld.com!
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Plays the Fabulous Fox Theatre, December 20-24
by BWW News Desk
- Dec 20, 2011
Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to St. Louis as a special offering of the 2011-2012 U.S. Bank Broadway Series. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for seven performances from December 20-24. For information on the production, visit www.BeautyAndTheBeastOnTour.com.
BEAUTY & THE BEAST Plays Bass Concert Hall This Month; Opens Dec. 14
by BWW
News Desk
- Dec 14, 2011
Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Austin as part of the Wells Fargo Broadway Across America series. Produced by NETworks Presentations, the elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Texas Performing Arts' Bass Concert Hall playing December 14-18
BEAUTY & THE BEAST Plays Bass Concert Hall This Month; Opens Dec. 14
by Erin Privratsky
- Dec 8, 2011
Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Austin as part of the Wells Fargo Broadway Across America series. Produced by NETworks Presentations, the elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Texas Performing Arts' Bass Concert Hall playing December 14-18
BWW Reviews: Versatile Peter Mac Shines Once More @ the Gardenia
by Don Grigware
- Nov 29, 2011
Tribute artist Peter Mac, nominated for 4 BWW Awards 2011, left his dresses in the closet November 25 and 26 to present an intimate evening of song at the Gardenia in honor of his favorite composers.Potpourri was almost the title of the show, Mac explained, because the composers as diverse as Harold Arlen and Bobby Darin, who composed the opener and title song 'As Long As I'm Singing', created tunes with a mix of styles. Very few impressionists can strip away the makeup and perform as themselves. Jim Bailey did it on occasion, and Peter Mac is following gloriously in his footsteps. Mac has a terrific vocal range, and much, much more... he's sexy and has an aura, a charismatic spirit that never lets down. Anecdote follows anecdote, and he keeps his audience on their toes as they are asked to take commemorative journeys with him. Such TV programs as Dark Shadows and everyone's fav vampire Barnabas Collins played into a couple of his songs. Remember? Those who did not live through the 60s had either collected those delightful Shadows videos like Mac himself or had found themselves entertained by the gothic soap's actors, such as David Selby or Lara Parker, at yearly conventions/festivals. If none of the preceding, you can look forward to the new film starring Johnny Depp as Collins. Mac essayed 'If I Can't Love Her' from Beauty and the Beast and really delved into this in depth love that he compared to that of Barnabas and his beloved Josette Dupres.
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