McGinnis, most recently on The Great White Way in Thoroughly Modern Millie, will replace Sarah Litzsinger in the role of Belle; Litzsinger will play her final performance April 13. Others in the current company include Steve Blanchard as the Beast, Chris Hoch as Gaston, Beth Fowler as Mrs. Potts, Jeff Brooks as Cogsworth, David de Vries as Lumiere, J.B. Adams as Maurice, Pam Klinger as Babette, Mary Stout as Madame de la Grande Bouche and Steve Lavner as Lefou. Jeremy Bergman and Joey Caravaglio alternate in the role of the young Chip. On Broadway Megan McGinnis has been seen in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade and The Diary of Anne Frank. She also appeared in the national tours of James Joyce’s The Dead and The Sound of Music, and her screen credits include “Wings,” “Sister, Sister” and “Blossom.”

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 Theatre. It is currently the seventh longest running musical in Broadway history.

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.