Birt Family Focus

Disney MGM Studios - Beauty and the Beast on Sunset Blvd. -- 11/19/02

Today we go down Sunset Blvd for a look at one of the three attractions at the end of the street. Sunset is my favorite area because it is home to my favortie attractions, has a really nice fast food area, and the world's best store for shopping- The Villain's Store.

Today we will talk about the short version production- Beauty and the Beast, located in the Theatre of The Stars. Now since this is MGM and it's focus is movies, television, and theatre, many of the attractions here are stage productions. This version of BatB is short, but definitely Broadway quality. It is an excellent show, well worth the time. Go early, because the pre-show entertainment is also first rate. The last time I went, an accapella singing group, Four For A Dollar, was There. They were amazingly talented and fun.

Most of the seating is excellent, in fact, I don't recall ever having a bad view and I have sat in many different areas. The costuming is fantastic, the music just as fun and moving as it was in the movie. Beastie is still cuter as a beast than a man, IMO (though they have had some very good-looking actors playing Beastie). You will be able to see the best from the center, about 1/2 way up, though. The theatre seats 1500.

Somehow, they managed to cram the whole story into a 20 minute stage show. For those who don't know the story, Belle and her father live in a small town in France. Belle likes books and everyone thinks she's pretty but weird. The town bully sets out to marry her, but she ends up a prisoner of the Beast- in an enchanted castle. She falls in love with Beastie and declares her love when she thinks he is dying, which breaks the enchantment. Some of the best songs in the Disney collection came from this movie. In this production you hear Be Our Guest and tale as Old as Time, among others.

Be sure and go to this, and all the other stage productions here in MGM. You'll be glad you did. Oh yes- and it's a wonderful way to rest your feet!

'Till next week when we check into the Hollywood Towers Hotel.....