Following the previous exciting announcement that Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will be returning to the stage in 2021, the tour venues and dates have now also been confirmed, as well as further details on the creative team.

The original Disney production debuted on Broadway 26 years ago, when it received five Tony nominations and a win for costume design. This new show will involve members of the original Broadway creative team. Rob Roth, a Tony®-nominee for the original production, will again direct, leading a team that includes composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice, bookwriter Linda Woolverton, choreographer Matt West, scenic designer Stan Meyer, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward and lighting designer Natasha Katz.

Completing the design team, Tony®-winner John Shivers is sound designer, Darryl Maloney is the video and projections designer, and David H. Lawrence is hair designer. Jim Steinmeyer is the illusions designer, as he was on the original 1994 production.

Spectacularly re-imagined in startling new designs, which will use the latest theatrical innovations, this timeless romantic tale will be brought to life on stage like never before, with all the charm and elegance audiences expect from Belle and her Beast.

The touring production will still feature the spellbinding music and lyrics of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice but will be heard afresh with new dance arrangements by David Chase, allowing original choreographer Matt West to re-visit his work. Longtime Menken collaborators Michael Kosarin and Danny Troob are musical supervisor/vocal arranger and orchestrator, respectively. 

Alan Menken said: “Beauty and the Beast is a testament to the genius of my late friend and collaborator Howard Ashman, but the show's richness comes from the combination of Howard's style and that of the brilliant Tim Rice, with whom I expanded the score to give voice to the Beast," said eight-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menken.  "It's clear that audiences the world over want to return to the world of Beauty, which continues to amaze and humble those of us who created it. As the show returns to the UK, I cannot wait to see how Rob Roth and this glorious creative team bring the whole universe of Beauty and the Beast to  life once again."

Tim Rice said:“Beauty and the Beast is a story and a show which resonates through generations, and it was a great pleasure to work with Alan to expand the score he and the brilliant Howard Ashman first created. I am thrilled that there will be a brand new production and that the newest theatrical wizardry will bring another layer of magic to the tale. It is great that the UK will host the premiere of the new production, as this country has always enjoyed a special affinity with the show”.

Beauty and the Beast will open at Leicester Curve on Tuesday 25 May, running until Saturday 26 June 2021, followed by Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin from Thursday 8 July - Saturday 31 July 2021, Bristol Hippodrome from Thursday 12 August - Saturday 18 September 2021, Liverpool Empire from Thursday 23 September - Saturday 16 October 2021 and Edinburgh Playhouse from Thursday 21 October - Saturday 27 November 2021.

Casting for the production will be announced at a later date.

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