Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Announces Stars for Reimagined Revival

Disney Theatrical Group has revealed the leading cast for its highly anticipated North American tour of Beauty and the Beast, with Kyra Belle Johnson set to play Belle and Fergie L. Philippe starring as the Beast. This reimagined production of the Disney classic will kick off at Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre in June before its official opening in Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre in July.

An animated young woman with brown hair, wearing a blue dress with a white apron, is holding a book in one hand and examining a mechanical contraption in the other. She appears to be in a cozy, cluttered workshop with various tools and objects in the background. — Credit: Disney

Meet the Leading Cast

Kyra Belle Johnson, making her return to the touring stage, is best known for her performance as Sophie in Mamma Mia! and has appeared in film and television productions, including Damned If You Do, Role Play, and FBI. She takes on the role of Belle, a character beloved for her fierce intelligence, kindness, and bravery in Disney’s timeless story.

Joining her as the Beast is Fergie L. Philippe, an actor widely recognized for playing Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in both the Broadway and national tour productions of Hamilton. Philippe also portrayed Sir Sagramore in the 2023 Broadway revival of Camelot and has television credits, including The Good Fight, The Gilded Age, and Law & Order: SVU.

A Creative Team Bringing the Magic to Life

Fans of the original Beauty and the Beast musical can expect an exciting blend of classic Broadway magic and fresh storytelling as several members of the original creative team return for this reimagined production. The Tony Award-winning team includes:

Alan Menken (composer) – The legendary composer behind the Oscar-winning film score created with the late Howard Ashman
Tim Rice (lyricist) – Known for his contributions to the stage adaptation
Linda Woolverton (book writer) – The visionary behind the script that expanded the animated film into a full-length Broadway spectacle
Matt West (director & choreographer) – Returning to helm the production, bringing new movement and staging to the beloved musical
Stanley A. Meyer (scenic design), Ann Hould-Ward (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), and Jim Steinmeyer (illusion design) – The original designers ensuring a visually stunning experience

Additional musical enhancements will include:

New dance music arrangements by David Chase
Music supervision and arrangements by Michael Kosarin
Orchestrations by Danny Troob

John Shivers (sound design), Darrel Maloney (projection & video design), and David H. Lawrence (hair & makeup design) round out the production’s cutting-edge technical team. Jason Trubitt serves as production supervisor, while Myriah Bash leads as general manager, with Anne Quart acting as executive producer.

An animated ballroom scene with a beast in a blue coat dancing with a woman in a yellow gown. The ballroom is ornate with large windows, red doors, intricate marble floors, and blue drapery decorating the walls. A grand piano sits in the background. — Credit: Disney

A Tale as Old as Time Returns to the Stage

Beauty and the Beast first dazzled audiences on Broadway in 1994, following the Academy Award-winning success of the 1991 animated film. Over its 13-year run, the show became a Broadway phenomenon, earning 10 Tony Award nominations and securing its place as one of the longest-running Broadway musicals of all time.

With its stunning new staging, an all-star cast, and a reunion of Broadway’s best creatives, this reimagined tour is set to bring the magic of Beauty and the Beast to a new generation of audiences. Would you like to see Beauty and the Beast return to Broadway after this tour? Let us know in the comments!