Beauty, the Beast and Bangkok
The Broadway musical production of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast, will be staged at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre, from Tuesday until March 15.
Directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, the play is presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, NETworks, Broadway Entertainment Group and BEC-Tero Scenario.
Beauty And The Beast is the classic love story of Belle, a young rural woman, and the Beast, who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell placed on him by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self.
“Everything, ranging from performers’ abilities to the lighting, costumes and sounds makes this musical touching,” said Takonkiet Viravan, managing director of Exact & Scenario.
“So far, we have performed in five countries. It’s the story that touches everybody’s heart. It’s a true spectacle,” said Joanne McCrory, tour manager of Broadway Entertainment Group.
Based on the 1991 Academy-Award-winning animated film, Beauty And The Beast premiered on Broadway in 1994. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards and ran for 13 years.
Hilary Maiberger, who plays Belle, said she has performed in about 780 shows, including a two-year tour in the US. This is the production’s first international tour.
“The show has been recreated; it’s all reinvented, all new,’’ she said.
Darick Pead, who plays the Beast, said he thought the performance was amazing, naming the Tony-Award-winning costume design as one of the show’s selling points.
“The Beast learns how to love others — that’s a successful story,” he said. “[So far] Asian audiences have been lovely and super accepting. It’s been all smiles.”