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 |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
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
This is a contemporary term that references a singer who is able to balance the chest and head voice depending on what the repertoire requires.
A character who contrasts with another character, intended to better reveal certain qualities of these characters.
A fictional story of the fantasy genre – idealised, romantic, and magical.
References a singer who has what has been considered a more classical approach to singing.
A recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.
A community outside of a capital city, often associated with a lack of sophistication.
The highest male vocal type, generally C3-C5.
Tone is the emotional quality of the voice.
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