Despite the huge success of Disney’s Princess merchandising line, the company is happy with just one regal, doe-eyed songstress on Broadway. Disney Theatrical has just announced it is shuttering its production of Beauty and the Beast on July 29 to make room for a stage production of The Little Mermaid. Amazingly, Beauty — which was slaughtered by critics but adored by tourists — will have played 5,464 performances, making it the sixth-longest-running show in Broadway history. (It’s also given Broadway exposure to such performers as Toni Braxton, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Deborah Gibson, and Donny Osmond — that’s him as Gaston, in the center.) Now, I’m no particular fan of The Little Mermaid — as a kid, I was terrified by mega-Ursula and slunk out of the theater during the finale — but if Disney can come up with an original and creative approach displaying life Under the Sea, a la The Lion King, I’ll be curious to see it.
Broadway bids bye-bye to 'Beauty and the Beast'
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Comments (1-17) of 17 Add your comment
I was hoping it’ll come to Los Angeles soon, but they’re closing it instead??!! Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!!
It a shame they are closing this show and not Tarzan. Tarzan is just an abomination. This show still has flair.
Donny Osmond was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, so I don’t think being Gaston was his first Broadway experience. Maybe Joseph was a tour, or in LA or something. Anyway, minor point. Mermaid could be interesting but everyone needs to go see Mary Poppins, its frickin amazing!
I hope that The Little Mermaid is inspired. I loved it as a kid. I play the tape over and over lip synching and skating in my basement.
Damn, I really want to see it. I was hoping it would go on tour. How shameful, Disney!
Don’t worry Michelle…I watched “Mermaid” two months ago, and mega-Ursula STILL freaks me out!
My Beef with Beauty and the Beast has to do with all the ridiculous “Straight to video” stories that Disney released after the movie came out. All these releases and episodes allegedly occured while Belle was in the castle and befor the Beast changed into a handsome dood. TOTALLY LAME! Either give us a sequel or a prequel, but several video tapes worth of “deleted scenes” is bunker than bunk.
Donny was in the Chicago cast of Joseph. I saw him in it there many years ago.
I’m excited about The Little Mermaid, even though I wasn’t 100% enamored with either Beauty & The Beast or The Lion King when I saw them. But somehow I think they can make The Little Mermaid work really well. It’s not even remotely on the same scale, but the Voyage of The Little Mermaid show at MGM Studios combines puppetry, lighting, bubbles, and other effects that make for a really cool experience. If they can incorporate stuff like that into a full-scale production, it’ll rock.
I love Beauty and the Beast second only to Phantom of the Opera. It is sad to see it go.
It’s sad to see a successful show leave, esp. when Tarzan is playing literally across the street. But I must say, I don’t want to visit NYC to find Broadway offering 20 musicals, 10 of which are produced by Disney. Maybe there will be a revival in the far ahead future with even more incredible design elements…
don’t forget christy carlson romano and paige davis
Beauty and the Beast is one of the few Broadway shows that I’ve seen. It sure is sad to see it go.
>Damn, I really want to see it. I was hoping it would go on tour. How shameful, Disney!<
No, shame on you. It's only been playing for 13 years and has gone on national tour twice – wake up.
I hope that Dalton and Violet will make it to see B&B before it closes. Dalton, I would love to see a review from you!
kcholt68, they only came to San Diego ONCE and I didn’t know about the concept of ordering tickets and stuff because I WAS A LITTLE KID.
>kcholt68, they only came to San Diego ONCE and I didn’t know about the concept of ordering tickets and stuff because I WAS A LITTLE KID.<
Then why say "shame on you", then? Anyway, the show has been available for productions by professional/community/children's theaters for over a year now, so I'm sure some theater company in your area will eventually produce it, if they haven't already. I know of at least 3 in the Phoenix area over the past year and half now.
Thanks for the information
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