‘Beauty and the Beast’ Celebrates 20 Years with International Tour

Disney Theatrical Productions, NETworks, and Broadway Entertainment Group will present the first International Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in celebration of the production’s 20th anniversary. The tour will open at Istanbul’s Zorlu Center in October 2014. Tickets for the Istanbul premiere engagement go on sale May 1.

The English-language tour will play in markets to include Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. The musical, which will reunite the original Broadway creative, will be seen for the first time in these territories.

Ron Kollen, senior vice president international for Disney Theatrical Productions, shared in a statement, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with NETWorks and Broadway Entertainment Group, to launch this first-ever international tour. To premiere Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in these cities throughout the Middle East and Asia, is a perfect way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our beloved stage musical.”

Liz Koops, producer for Broadway Entertainment Group, added, “The world of touring entertainment is constantly evolving and we wanted to begin an international circuit to bring top quality entertainment into emerging markets. What better way to start than with one of the world’s most beloved and successful musicals, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.”

Beauty and the Beast as described by producers “is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.”

The production is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West. It features costume design by Tony Award winning Ann Hould-Ward, lighting design by Natasha Katz, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, sound design by John Petrafesa Jr., and music supervision by Michael Kosarin. There is also music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, a book by Linda Woolverton, and additional songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice.