Overview
Synopsis
Based on the smash hit 1991 Disney movie and dating back to a late 18th-century classic French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster, who was long ago trapped in his gruesome form by an enchantress. The only way for the Beast to become human once again is if he learns to love and be loved in return. There is a time limit, too: once a magical rose loses all of its petals, all hope will be lost and he will stay a Beast forever. The Beast’s enchanted household--populated by such beloved characters as Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Chip--watch anxiously as Belle and the Beast grow to understand and befriend one another. Their feelings grow ever deeper as the clock ticks and petals continue to fall off the enchanted rose--will they confess their love for one another before it is too late?
Show Information
- Book
- Linda Wooverton
- Music
- Alan Menken
- Lyrics
- Howard Ashman , Tim Rice
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Beauty and the Beast (Animated, 1991)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- Genres
- Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- A small french town and a castle just outside the village
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Recording
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Middle School, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters
Context
Based on the smash hit 1991 Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and the Beast JR brings the beloved fairytale to the stage for young performers and audiences alike. A shortened version of the spectacular stage musical that opened in 1993, Beauty and the Beast JR brings the audience into the world of their favorite characters such as Belle, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, and more. This version of the musical features many beloved classic songs from the
to read the context for Beauty and the Beast JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The story begins with a group of unseen narrators telling the story of a young, spoiled prince who lived “once upon a time” in a magnificent castle. One cold winter night, an old beggar woman knocked at the castle door and asked to be sheltered for the night in exchange for a single red rose. Repulsed, the prince turned her away, despite her warning "not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within." Suddenly, the haggard old woman transformed into a beautiful enchantress. Shocked,
to read the plot for Beauty and the Beast JR and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Either Gender |
Tenor, Countertenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Silent |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Countertenor |
Songs
- "Prologue" - Narrators 1-4
- "Belle" - Belle, Gaston, Villagers
- "Belle (Reprise)" - Silly Girls, Belle
- "Home" - Belle
- "Home (Tag)" - Mrs. Potts, Madame De La Grande Bouche
- "Gaston"- Gaston, Lefou, Villagers
- "Gaston (Reprise)" - Gaston, Lefou
- "Be Our Guest" - Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Servants
- "Something There" - Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Madame De La Grande Bouche, Babette
- "Human Again"- Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Madame De La Grande Bouche, Babette, Servants
- "Beauty and the Beast"- Mrs. Potts
- "The Mob Song" - Gaston, Monsieur D'arque, Villagers
- "Home (Reprise)" - Belle
- "Finale" - Belle, Beast, Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A vocal technique blending chest and head voice to create a strong yet flexible sound for higher pitches.
A character who contrasts with another, usually the protagonist, to highlight specific traits or themes.
A character trait reflecting suave, charming, and courteous demeanor, often seen in comedic or romantic leads.
A genre of story involving magical and fantastical elements, sometimes adapted for theatrical performance.
Short for 'legitimate theatre,' referring to traditional stage drama as opposed to musical or commercial performance. The term is also used to describe a classical vocal tone suitable for operatic or legit musical theatre roles.
A recurring musical theme associated with a particular character, idea, or emotion. Frequently used in opera and musical theatre, leitmotifs help reinforce narrative continuity and emotional cues for the audience.
Describes regional or rural theatres or characters, sometimes suggesting unsophisticated or localized traits.
A male vocal range above baritone, commonly featured in opera and musical theatre for romantic or heroic lead characters.
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