Beauty and the Beast on Broadway

[Escapay]

Figured it's worth mentioning, though I doubt most anyone here would know who the guy is:

All My Children's Jacob Young Makes Broadway Debut as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast May 9

One of ABC Daytime’s most popular stars, Jacob Young (“JR Chandler” on ABC’s “All My Children”) will be making his Broadway debut as Lumiere in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. He will begin performances on Tuesday, May 9th at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street) for a limited 10-week engagement.
“I have always wanted to combine my love of music and acting by performing on Broadway. It’s such a pleasure for me to be welcomed into the Disney family with this role in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’”

Jacob Young joined the cast of “All My Children” in the leading role of “JR Chandler” in September 2003, a role that earned him a Daytime Emmy® Nomination as Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series. Prior to that, Jacob earned a Daytime Emmy® Award for his role as “Lucky Spencer” on “General Hospital.”

Jacob was featured in the ABC movie for television, “Beach Boys: An All American Family.” Jacob's feature film The Girl Next Door was released in 2004. He has also been a guest star on ABC's “Hope & Faith.” In 2002, Jacob was named Sexiest Male Soap Star by People Magazine.

Jacob released his debut album Jacob Young in 2001 on Artemis Records for music icon Danny Goldberg.

Most recently, Jacob has performed on the Broadway stage as a featured performer in two ABC daytime benefits supporting Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.

Jacob will not be appearing in the Wednesday matinee performances due to his shooting schedule for “All My Children.”

In 2006, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will mark several major milestones. On April 18th, the musical will celebrate its 12th anniversary on Broadway. The production will play its 5,000th performance on Tuesday, June 20th.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is currently the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history. More than twenty million people have seen the show in over twenty productions worldwide. The original cast recording is currently available on Disney Records.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features Alan Menken’s Academy Award-winning score, songs by the late Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (including the Academy Award-winning title song and the show-stopping “Be Our Guest”), plus songs written especially for the stage by Alan Menken and Tim Rice (including “If I Can’t Love Her” and “A Change In Me”). Book is by Linda Woolverton, author of the original screenplay. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is choreographed by Matt West and directed by Robert Jess Roth. Sets are by Stan Meyer, costumes by Ann Hould-Ward, and lighting by Natasha Katz.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the classic love story of Belle, a young woman in a small, provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a prince trapped in a spell placed on him by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and to be loved, the spell will be broken and he will be transformed back to his former self. But time is running out, and if the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he will be doomed for all eternity.

Beginning April 11, the performance schedule for Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street) is as follows: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Beginning May 30th, Tuesday performances will be at 8pm.

There are three easy ways to get tickets to Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Online at www.disneyonbroadway.com, via Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747 or www.ticketmaster.com and in person at the Lunt-Fontanne box office (205 West 46th Street) or through Keith Prowse Entertainment Travel at 800-669-8687 or http://www.keithprowse.com/us

Jacob Young:


I've been watching him since his stints on The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, and his current one on All My Children. The guy's not that great of an actor, he's not bad either...just rather plain. But I can't see him as Lumiere. He's too much of a prettyboy actor as opposed to a really good one.

His singing's rather passable, though I fear how it will sound when he tries to incorporate a French accent...

Still, I haven't seen BATB on Broadway yet, so having a soap star in it may be enough incentive for me to finally see it.

The sad thing is, because of his questionable orientation (he's been publicly seen with girlfriends, though of course there are "insider" rumors that he swings both ways), he's already getting picked on in some soap boards I still go to. Because he plays Lumiere, there's been many a "Flame on, Jacob, flame on!"

Escapay

[DisneyPrincess]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He may be great- he may not. It will be good experience for him and will broaden his abilities. I know on AMC (which is my favorite sooap), I love to hate his character- to me that's a sign he's doing a good job.

<b>BTW- Babe and JR need to get back together for good!</b>

[Joshrzmeup]

First: IMO, he's too 'pretty-boy' to be Lumiere, and he kinda looks young for the part. I always got the impression that Lumiere was a slightly older gentleman, like maybe mid to late 30's, but not someone who could almost pass for 20.

Second, I saw BATB on stage at my local dinner theater last year for my b-day and loved it. So, I got the broadway soundtrack. One thing I noticed, in the article above it says:
'Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features Alan Menken’s Academy Award-winning score, songs by the late Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (including the Academy Award-winning title song and the show-stopping “Be Our Guest”), plus songs written especially for the stage by Alan Menken and Tim Rice (including “If I Can’t Love Her” and “A Change In Me”).'

So, why is "A Change in Me" not on the soundtrack? That was my favorite non-movie song. Is that song available anywhere?

[Kram Nebuer]

So, why is "A Change in Me" not on the soundtrack? That was my favorite non-movie song. Is that song available anywhere?

Aaron Wallace said on his podcast (episode 6) that "A Change in Me" was added to the show when Toni Braxton played Belle. The soundtrack you have is the original cast recording. The song is available as a cover on Susan Egan's album. She was the original Belle on Broadway, so you can pretend it's from the show, lol. She was also Megara in "Hercules," Rin/Lin in "Sprited Away," Ms. Bartlett in the DCOM "Gotta Kick it Up," and Cinderella on the Disney Princess Tea Party album. It is also available on Disney's "On the Record" soundtrack. What's interesting is that it is sung by Ashley Brown, who is the next actress to play Belle (which brings me to my next question). If you just want to hear the chorus of "A Change in Me," you can download Aaron's show at http://aaronspod.libsyn.com/ and perhaps go on to hear his other great episodes. Well the first few are a little oudated...

Okay, back on topic!

Will Jacob Young be playing Lumiere the same time that Ashley Brown will be playing Belle? I have wanted to see this Broadway show for a long time since we almost saw it back in summer of 1994. Is Christy Carlson Romano still playing her or is that done with? Does that mean Ashley Brown is playing her now? I'm so confused! Anyhow, the point is that I'd love to see Ashley Brown Belle, but I'm not too sure if I want to see Jacob Young as Lumiere. He'd probably be a better choice to play Gaston based on past experiences...

Fun little FYI...Jane McCoy and I actually saw him at the Molly Pitcher Rest Stop on the NJ Turnpike! He was with a "girlfriend" and he's a lot shorter than he appears on TV.

[Escapay]

Is Christy Carlson Romano still playing her or is that done with? Does that mean Ashley Brown is playing her now?

I'm sure Christy Carlson Romano's run as Belle was a limited engagement as well, and it was a couple years ago, wasn't it? So most likely, it may be Ashley Brown.

Fun little FYI...Jane McCoy and I actually saw him at the Molly Pitcher Rest Stop on the NJ Turnpike! He was with a "girlfriend" and he's a lot shorter than he appears on TV.

The time I *don't* go to pick you guys up, and of course it's the time that a soap star is there. At least I'm still one-up on Jane, I saw Rebecca Budig, Alicia Minshew, and Finola Hughes!

Escapay

[Jeremy]

I have bought tickets for Beauty and the Beast. It's in Helsinki - at last. Of course I'm looking forward to see it. It's my first Disney musical.

[Jasmine1022]

I have bought tickets for Beauty and the Beast. It's in Helsinki - at last. Of course I'm looking forward to see it. It's my first Disney musical.

congrats! I hope you enjoy it!!

maybe now you'll get sucked into the disney movies AND disney musical obsession that has overtaken us all or maybe you'll be strong and able to resist the urge

[MouseHouse55]

Ah, so sad. On July 29, Beauty and the Beast on Broadway will end after 5,500 shows and 13 years. It will be making way for the already announded Little Mermaid. I don't have much more to say on this, cause it's just kinda sad.

[SpringHeelJack]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=15104

This was announced a few days ago. As much as I liked the show, I'm very eager to see how "The Little Mermaid" will work.

[xxhplinkxx]

OMG NO!!! this is horrible!! I wanted to see that! I guess I wont be able to now.

I guess I'll always have the half hour stage show at MGM in Disney World. I suppose its on to bigger and better things with The Little Mermaid!!!!! Im so happy that its coming but also so sad BATB is leaving. Very bitter sweet

[Asellus]

i wanted to see this...I'll have to hope I can get tickets and go before it ends.

[PixarFan2006]

I am sad. I never got to see this and now it's gone. Hopefully TLM will be good to see on broadway. I wonder how much longer it will be for The Lion King to close.

[yamiiguy]

It's coming to Aberdeen, Scotland for the first time in April, which in light of this news will also be the last. I better grab some tickets

[goofystitch]

13 years is WAY longer than most Broadway shows last, so be greatful for that. And it's not like the show is dying. I'm sure there will be many touring companies doing the show so for those of you who haven't seen it yet, you probably will when it makes it's way to a large city near you. I saw it back in 1999 when it came to Chicago for a six month run. It was awesome.

[Dottie]

13 years is WAY longer than most Broadway shows last, so be greatful for that. And it's not like the show is dying. I'm sure there will be many touring companies doing the show so for those of you who haven't seen it yet, you probably will when it makes it's way to a large city near you. I saw it back in 1999 when it came to Chicago for a six month run. It was awesome.

Aren't there still 2 touring companies in the US? I'm not sure, but I thought I read that somewhere.

[Disneykid]

I saw this on my senior class trip to New York in April of 2005. I absolutely loved the show, but to be honest, I'm not sad about it leaving since I didn't have any intention of seeing it on stage again, anyway. Besides, it's lived a long, healthy life, and I'd rather it leave while it's still successful than leave because no one cares about it. I have high hopes for The Little Mermaid, and hopefully it'll have Beauty and the Beast-type success than the lukewarm response Tarzan's gotten.

[Simba3]

When the show finally closes on Broadway it will be the SIXTH longest running show in Braodway history. I'm excited that The Little Mermaid will be taking over for Beauty and the Beast. I wonder just how many Broadway musicals Disney can pump out. Aladdin could be one for sure...

[musicradio77]

I've never seen the Broadway version of "Beauty and the Beast" but I rather watch the animated version.

RIP: "Beauty and the Beast - On Broadway" (1994-2007)

[Escapay]

It will be making way for the already announded Little Mermaid.

If it was going to be replaced, I'd have hoped it be replaced for something superior to The Little Mermaid, like perhaps Hunchback of Notre Dame, which already had a musical run in Europe and has better songs.



Escapay

[The Little Merboy]

I've been waiting for this forever! I cannot wait, Denver here I come!

And yes, it is sad to see Beauty and the Beast end, glad I saw it years ago.