Once upon a time in a faraway land, an Enchantress turns a selfish, unfeeling Prince into a hideous Beast. To break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.

Years later, in a small village far below the Beast's castle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman, Belle, yearns for something more than her provincial life. To make matters worse, Gaston, the arrogant village brute is determined to marry her, but she turns him down. Belle's father, Maurice, gets lost in the woods and seeks shelter in a castle, but the Beast imprisons him for trespassing. Belle pursues her missing father and finds him at the castle, offering herself in exchange for his freedom. The Beast agrees and lets Maurice go.

Despite the castle's luxurious accommodations, Belle is frightened. The servants, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts and Chip—who have been transformed into furniture by the Enchantress's spell—try to reassure her, offering her an extravagant feast against the Beast's wishes. While Cogsworth gives her a tour of the castle, she wanders off into the forbidden West Wing where the enchanted rose is kept. The Beast discovers her and explodes in a rage, causing the terrified Belle to flee into the forest where she is attacked by wolves. The Beast saves her but is injured and Belle helps him back to the castle to dress his wounds. The servants recognize something different between Belle and the Beast as their cautious friendship gradually blooms into affection.

Although she is happy at the castle, Belle longs to see her father. Using a magic mirror, Belle sees that Maurice is in trouble and, out of love for her, the Beast lets her go. Back in the village, Gaston has arranged for Maurice to be taken the lunatic asylum unless Belle agrees to marry him, but Belle proves that her father is not crazy by showing the Beast in the magic mirror. Jealous and embarrassed, Gaston whips the villagers into a frenzy to storm the castle and kill the Beast, despite Belle's objections. While the servants defend the castle from the villagers' attack, Gaston confronts and stabs the Beast, then runs away in shame when the Beast refuses to kill him.

Belle arrives and holds the dying Beast in her arms. Just in time, her heart-broken weeping breaks the spell, transforming the Beast back into the Prince, the servants back into humans—and they all live happily ever after.

Games and Activities Just for Kids!

For Before the Show

For After the Show

Calling All Adults! 
You didn't think that the fun was just for kids, did you? Learn some fun facts about Disney's Beauty and the Beast especially for grown-ups.

The Original Fairy Tale 
Although not the first to publish the story, Jeanne Marie Leprince de Beaumont's concise version is the best known.

More Resources to Explore the Play 
These selected internet sites lead further into the exploration of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in performance, more games, the original texts, and much more.

The Cast
See who's who among the actors.

The Creative Team
See who’s who on the creative team—the director, designers and other artists who contribute to the creation of the world of the play.

	Video Preview Get a glimpse of the action on stage!
	Photo Gallery Enjoy a glimpse of Chicago Shakespeare’s enchanting summer musical on stage.
	The Scenic Design for Disney's Beauty and the Beast Rachel Rockwell and designer Scott Davis present their creative ideas for using projections.
	Director Rachel Rockwell about Disney's Beauty and the Beast The director shares her excitement for the musical at the first rehearsal.

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