A timeless story returns: Disney’s ‘Magnificence and the Beast’ on tour

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My introduction to Broadway began 30 years ago, when my mom and I saw Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. With the beloved musical returning to the road for its first national tour in 25 years, I jumped at the chance to revisit the production that sparked my love of live theater.

In this new national tour, Kyra Belle Johnson plays Belle — a role she seems destined to perform. Carrying the emotional weight of the show with ease, her portrayal of the strong yet tender princess was captivating. It genuinely felt like watching one of the classic Disney greats such as Susan Egan or Jodi Benson. Beyond the original film’s score, the stage musical gives Belle additional opportunities to shine through the ballads “Home” and “A Change in Me,” alongside “Belle (Reprise),” and Johnson made the most of each one. Her vocals held the audience spellbound. Unlike other musical numbers, where humor was often interjected and occasionally undercut the emotion, Johnson’s ballads allowed the heart of the story to shine through with remarkable sincerity.

Fergie L. Philippe delivers a fresh and compelling take as the Beast, bringing new depth to the mysterious and fearsome prince turned monster. The lighter, less cumbersome costume — unlike the bulky 1996 version — granted him far greater movement and exposed a more human side, one visibly wrestling with the flaws that led to his curse. His rendition of “If I Can’t Love Her” soared with powerful vocals and raw vulnerability.

In addition to Philippe and Johnson, the rest of the cast delivered their roles with great finesse. Stephen Mark Lukas (Gaston) was the kind of villain audiences love to hate, while Harry Francis (LeFou) provided the perfect dose of comedic relief. Danny Gardner (Lumiere), Javier Ignacio (Cogsworth), and Kathy Voytko (Mrs. Potts) formed a dynamic trio full of heart, humor and just the right amount of uptight fussiness.

Matt West’s new choreography was a sight to behold. Having choreographed the award-winning original Broadway production, West returned to direct and refresh the beloved show — no easy task. Much of his new work pays tribute to classic Broadway choreography. “Gaston” echoed the energetic spirit of Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals like Oklahoma!, delivering an exuberant large-group spectacle with just the right amount of flourish to match the character’s massive ego. It remains a show-stopping crowd favorite.

The choreographic centerpiece was undoubtedly “Be Our Guest”. From the moment the bright pink curtain descended behind Lumiere and Belle, the audience was instantly transported into a magical dinner show. Much like the animated film, this sequence paid tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Feather fans, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ cutlery, a high-kicking chorus line, and a show-stopping three-minute tap dance break were just some of the highlights. The kaleidoscope effect came alive through aerial shots of the dancers projected onto the back of the stage. The ensemble displayed tremendous versatility, seamlessly shifting from one style to the next. The number culminated with another nod to the film – canons that shot pink streamers into the audience, just like the champagne bottles on screen.

In Act II, “Human Again” felt inspired by the dream ballets of classic Broadway shows. The dancers shifted away from the showmanship of “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest” towards more contemporary and ballet-inspired movement. Each wore all white and floated around behind the enchanted objects. At one point, a lone dancer mirrored Cogsworth’s stilted movements, reinforcing that the enchanted residents were dreaming of a day they could once again be human.

The simple elegance of the Beauty and the Beast choreography brought the audience to a collective sigh of contentment as we soaked in the stunning costumes and relished the classic tune.

Although this refreshed production of Disney’s first Broadway show is more streamlined than the lavish 1996 tour, it loses none of the magic that has made the musical a beloved classic. The heart of the story remains firmly intact, proving once again that love runs far deeper than appearances and that this tale is truly as “old as time.”

Visit beautyandthebeastmusical.com for tour dates near you.

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