ABSTRACT
In 1991 Frank Rich of the New York Times designated the score for Disney’s animated film, Beauty and the Beast, the best score on Broadway that year. This declaration set in motion the process of bringing the beloved film to the stage as Disney Theatrical Production’s first Broadway adaptation. This chapter explores the process of adapting the film to the stage and the subsequent reception of the musical by critics, audiences, and Tony Award voters. It traces the production process, examining the way that Disney approached creating their first major Broadway offering.
