I’ll soon head to my third Broadway show of the season with Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center providing media tickets. This time, it’s Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, and I’m in trouble with this one. As of now, I only have 2 tickets… which means I have to select the child who gets to come. The show is family friendly, so kids ages 3 and up are able to attend.
Whichever child is my guest when we visit the Academy of the Arts in Philadelphia this month, I’m interested in his or her reaction to the interpretation of story, the music, and how different he’ll view the live show versus screen.
When we saw Joseph, Middle was obsessed with backstage features. I know he’ll pay special attention to scenery, props and lighting. While Little will focus on costumes — imagine how the common household objects will come to life when they’re portrayed by human beings!
My princess would love to see one of her favorite princesses (Belle, by the way, happens to be my favorite favorite of the bunch.) She also loved every second of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (her first Broadway show) as well as Aladdin, which we saw on the Disney Cruise Line in November.
Middle rubs the salt every time we hear the music from Matilda. While he didn’t realize how jealous he’d be that his brother saw Matilda in the Fall, after attending Joseph and Aladdin he understands the beauty in Broadway and now asks to see it about once a week. While Beauty & the Beast may not be his first choice show to see, he’s looking for a little Mommy and Me show time and would likely feel he’s being skipped over if I don’t take him this time.
Big already knows it’s not his turn this time. While he’ll be sad to miss a show (this will mark the first time this season he doesn’t join me), I’m hopeful he’ll be excited for whoever “wins” the ticket.
What to do? Who will I take?
Before You See Disney’s Beauty & the Beast
Buy your tickets!
Whether you’re in Philadelphia, New York, or another city, if you’re making plans to see a musical and are set on that show, be sure to get your tickets in advance. While sitting in the Orchestra area is a dream to feel close enough to reach out and touch (I remember dreamily staring into the eyes of Joseph from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat the first time I saw it and thinking “he’s really singing to me!”), orchestra seats are pricey and, I’ve realized, not always necessary. Sitting in one of the first rows of the balcony helps kids to see the entire picture and focus on the scene, rather than the one character in front of him or her. Neither seat is wrong, neither seat is bad. Each seat in the theater will offer a unique perspective. Nearly all seats offer unobstructed views of the stage, but be sure to check the seating chart before purchasing your seats.
Philadelphia tickets can be purchased through the Kimmel Center. New York tickets can be purchased through Viator. For tickets in other cities, contact your theater.
Learn the Story
If your family doesn’t already have a copy of the story, this 24-page Little Golden Book version is short and sweet, highlighting all the important parts of the plot and introducing the major characters of the story. (Currently, the hardcover is priced at less than $3 on Amazon.)
Watch the movie
The Disney DVD is currently listed at $189.95 on Amazon (don’t believe me? Ask the dishes! … or click the affiliate link) because it’s out of circulation, aka locked in the “Disney Vault.” However, I found it on ebay for just $10.99. At that price, it’s worth buying if you don’t already have it in your favorite movies collection. Not sure if it belongs there? Chances are pretty good a neighbor will have a copy, or you can always borrow it from your local library.
If you’re taking your child to see Beauty & the Beast, I highly recommend watching the movie first. There is always so much going on in the theater that it’s easy to miss a beat or two. Familiarity with both the story and the beautiful songs will help your child to focus on the fun of the theater experience.
Learning Opportunity! Complete a Venn Diagram
After watching the movie, create a Venn Diagram that compares and contrasts the movie and the book. This adds to a discussion and makes it more interactive. You can also check your child’s comprehension of the story and discuss important elements to make sure he or she has a solid understanding. It may take a second viewing and reading before your child has a true understanding and isn’t just captivated by the beauty of the music or the (spoiler?) surprise of Belle falling in love with a Beast.
After seeing the Broadway show, compare and contrast the 3 portrayals, with this Venn Diagram. (I included a few simple discussion questions.)
Start listening
When I was in my twenties, I never wanted to listen to the music before seeing a show, for fear it would ruin the story or the excitement. Later, when seeing a show for the first time that I’d listened to in advance, I learned how much more electrifying it is to know the music first. You and your child will be able to sing along (in your minds) during the performance and you’ll feel a connection to the music and the song. This will also help you to take in more scenery and story line, because you won’t feel that you have to focus quite so much on the lyrics.
Buy the Beauty & the Beast movie
About Beauty & the Beast
Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 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.
Broadway Philadelphia tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling (215) 893-1999, visiting www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office. Tickets start at $20. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215) 790-5883.
Beauty & the Beast on Twitter: @BeautyOnTour | Facebook: www.facebook.com/beautyandthebeastontour
Beauty & the Beast image by Matthew Murphy, courtesy of Kimmel Center Press Center.
© 2016, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.
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