Search - Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice :: Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

Wonderful Soundtrack to an Outstanding Musical

Mark Baker | Santa Clarita, CA United States | 09/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Disney's animated movie "Beauty and the Beast" is my all time favorite of their animated movies. And this is coming from a guy who owns them all on VHS and is working on DVD. When they first announced plans to turn their movie into a Broadway show, I was thrilled. And it works so well.All the songs from the movie are here, just as wonderful as in the movie itself. What I love about this soundtrack is the new songs, however. They add so much more to the characters and overall story. Belle's "Home" is such a powerful cry of despair after agreeing to stay in the castle. And the Beast's songs "How Long Must This Go On?" and "If I Can't Love Her" allow him to express emotion and make him a sympathetic character from act one before he starts showing it to Belle.And I must mention my favorite of the new songs. Gaston's marriage proposal "Me" is an absolute riot. Makes me laugh every time I hear it.I've listened to this CD so much; sometimes it feels like there's something missing when I watch the movie. Ironically, "Human Again" isn't one of my favorites. I wished they'd picked one of the other songs to add to the movie for the re-release instead of that one.Any fan of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, stage or screen, will love this recording. It's a must own."

Original Bway Cast Recording is not what the show ended up b

Swan | New York | 06/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are looking for an accurate recording of the Broadway show (that is available for rental through MTI), you should get the London or Australian Cast Recording of the show. The OBCR was recorded BEFORE the Broadway run even started rehearsals, so it does not reflect many, many lyric changes, music changes, and dance arrangements that happened between the show's Houston tryout and Broadway opening. Granted, there are waonderful performances on this CD, but if you want to know what the show ended up being for nealry all of its thirteen-plus-year run, get London."

The Best CD EVER!!

Swan | 08/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really loved this CD. Being a HUGE Broadway fan, I absolutely crave new talents and soundtracks. First, the vocal sounds were wonderful, especially Terrence Mann as the Beast and Susan Egan as Belle. Second, the songs are so beautiful. 'If I Can't Love Her' is a wonderful way to see how lonely and depressed the Beast is. 'Gaston' shows what a hothead the guy is. 'Human Again',my personal favorite, expresses the enchanted objects' longings to be human once more. And, of course, we absolutely CANNOT forget 'Beauty and the Beast', which sort of tells the story of Belle and the Beast. This CD is fabulous and truly is something every Broadway fan should have in their collection. I give it 3 thumbs up!!!"