The Staples High School Players invite one and all to "Be Our Guest" at the fall performances of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This musical, based on the beloved children's fairy tale, began life as an animated movie, with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and the Howard Ashman. It was recognized with two Academy Awards, an ASCAP Award, an Annie Award, a BMI Film Music Award, a Golden Globe, a Grammy, and numerous film critic awards.
The movie evolved into a family-friendly Broadway musical with additional songs and music by Alan Menken and Tim Rice. This version takes place in a little French village where Belle lives with her eccentric father. When he fails to come home, Belle searches for him and finds that he has been captured by a gruesome beast. Her father is released in exchange for her freedom. The story describes the fear, friendship and eventual love that Belle feels toward the Beast leading to his redemption and transformation.
Maurice Ravel incorporated this tale "Les entretients de la Belle et de la Bete" in his Ma Mere L'Oye. Philip Glass included selections from "La Belle et la Bete" in Philip on Film.
If you cannot attend the live performance, the Library invites you to check out the book, compact disc, DVD, or score.