Kyra Belle Johnson and Fergie L. Philippe. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy. (c) Disney
Our beloved “tale as old as time” has been reimagined to celebrate 30 years of the Broadway hit. With all these enchanting changes, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” is just as wondrous as ever. Based on the 1991 Disney animated classic of the same name, the musical introduces the audience to a horrid prince who is punished by being transformed into a Beast. Only when he learns to love and is loved in return will the spell be lifted. In a nearby small, provincial town, the bookworm Belle, who, although viewed as the most beautiful girl in town, struggles to fit in. After finding herself in the Beast’s magical castle, Belle befriends a group of enchanted household objects—Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts—who dream of becoming “Human Again.” Will the Beast find love and break the spell, or will he be cursed to remain a monster forever?
…a truly magical night at the theatre…
If you were a big fan of the original musical, you may be disappointed to see some songs removed from the updated version. “No Matter What,” “How Long Must This Go On?”, “Maison des Lunes,” and “The Battle” have all been cut from the score—personally, though, I am a fan. Not only does this make the show more digestible for the many kids in the audience, but it also adds a sense of urgency to Belle and the Beast’s love story. Will they fall in love before the last rose petal falls?
The changes didn’t end there. Projections designed by Darrel Maloney were smartly utilized to enhance the more minimalist set and even served as the wolves in the chase sequences. While I would have appreciated a more spectacular set for the actors on which to perform, I understand the need to condense the production for travel to theatres of different sizes. At times, the set changes felt a bit too large for the National Theatre stage, with audible backstage noise during the curtain and automated transitions.
Other design elements helped this story leap out of the Disney world and onto the stage. Costumes, designed by Anna Hould-Ward, were jaw-droppingly beautiful, with Belle and the Beast’s looks in “Tale as Old as Time” creating pure magic. The collaboration between Hould-Ward and makeup and hair designer David H. Lawrence was especially effective in bringing the castle’s inhabitants to life. I appreciated that their looks weren’t overly literal (for example, Cogsworth wore round glasses to symbolize a clock face rather than hands). Of course, the Beast’s quick transformation was impressive.
Luckily for director and choreographer Matt West, the magic extended beyond his design team. In a truly perfect portrayal of Belle was Kyra Belle Johnson. She embodied everything you’d want in the role. Her acting was spot-on without being overly cartoonish, and her soaring vocals had you hanging on every word. Her chemistry with Fergie L. Philippe’s Beast was endearing, revealing new layers as the story progressed. Philippe delivered one of the most nuanced performances of the Beast I’ve seen, leaning into both the character’s humor and vulnerability to make each moment stand out.
Danny Gardner (Lumiere), Kathy Voytko (Mrs. Potts), Javier Ignacio (Cogsworth), and Holly Ann Butler (Madame) worked expertly together, each finding moments to shine both individually and within the ensemble. Gardner’s showstopping number, “Be Our Guest,” highlighted West’s dynamic choreography and a company of fabulous dancers.
When I saw the song cuts and the use of projections for the wolves, I worried the ensemble might have less to do—but that was far from the case. The ensemble tackled myriad dance styles with gorgeous choreography and was utilized even more dynamically than in the original production. Numbers like “Be Our Guest,” “Human Again,” and “Gaston” showcased the cast’s remarkable talent, with “Gaston” also highlighting the incredible physical comedy of the gut-busting Harry Francis (LeFou).
For fans young and old, this updated “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’” is a truly magical night at the theatre, featuring melodic vocals, high-energy ensemble numbers, and, of course, a love story for the ages.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes including one intermission.
Advisory: Recommended for ages 6 and up. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
The National Tour of “Beauty and the Beast” runs through April 5, 2026, at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. For more information and to purchase tickets, For more information and to purchase tickets: in person at the Box Office Monday-Friday, 12-6 pm (Extended hours during performance days: Tuesday-Sunday, 12-7 pm), or go online.
