The seventh longest-running musical, now playing the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, will play its 4,000th performance on Jan. 27. The production currently stars Steve Blanchard as the Beast, Megan McGinnis as Belle, Chris Hoch as Gaston, Jeff Brooks as Cogsworth, David de Vries as Lumiere, Cass Morgan as Mrs. Potts, Jamie Ross as Maurice, Aldrin Gonzalez as Lefou, Pam Klinger as Babette, Marguerite Willbanks as Madame de la Grande Bouche. Henry Hodges and Alex Rutherford alternate the role of Chip. On Feb. 17 the musical welcomes three new players: Christy Carlson Romano will become the new Belle, recent Urinetown star Jeff McCarthy returns to the company as the Beast, and Titanic's Alma Cuervo will become the latest Mrs. Potts. In April, the musical will pass Miss Saigon to become the sixth longest-running show in Broadway history.
Featuring a score by Alan Menken, Tim Rice and the late Howard Ashman, Beauty and the Beast boasts a book by the author of the original screenplay, Linda Woolverton; the musical was directed by Robert Jess Roth. Beauty opened at the Palace Theatre April 18, 1994, and now plays the Lunt-Fontanne.
Tickets may be purchased at the theatre's box office (205 W. 46th Street) or by calling (212) 307-4747. For more information, visit Walt Disney Theatricals on-line at www.disneyonbroadway.com.
