‘Beauty and the Beast’ Still a Hot Property--Even on Ice

Disney’s 1991 animated hit, “Beauty and the Beast,” is not only a best-seller on video but is enjoying a successful afterlife in other arenas as well.

Disneyland daily presents a 25-minute staged version of the 84-minute film musical. A full-length production is on its way to Broadway. And for the past 1 1/2 years, the characters have been appearing on the frozen stage in “Walt Disney’s World on Ice Presents Beauty and the Beast.” The ice show glided into the Anaheim Arena this week and plays through Jan. 9. It moves to Long Beach Jan. 19 to 23.

“Disney’s World on Ice,” which is produced by Kenneth Feld, owner of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, has presented other shows based on classic animated Disney features. But this is the first adaptation of a contemporary movie, one which has been seen over and over by children who know the characters’ every move, line and song.

“We’ve taken liberties with the older films,” said Bob Paul, the 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist in pairs who is the show’s skating director and choreographer. “In ‘Pinocchio,’ for instance, we added a comedy number to spice up the performance. Here, we must compress some of the scenes because on ice we can’t flip-flop from the castle, say, to the tavern, as they do in the movie. But we don’t take liberties with the story.”

The show runs two hours, including a 15-minute intermission. All the key songs in the Oscar-winning score have become solo or production numbers. In “Be Our Guest,” for example, chorus skaters portray table settings, complete with napkins. The initial act includes about 40 moments from the film’s opening market scene, garnered after Paul and most of the creative team watched the video countless times.

One Alan Menken song that was dropped from the film, “Human Again,” has been reinstated as an instrumental pair number. Most of the sound track is taken directly from the movie, though the film’s cast recorded a few new voice-overs for transitions.

And no Disney show would be complete without Mickey Mouse: He and other Disney characters portray an orchestra, warming up before the story gets under way. They appear again, after the Beast’s transformation to a handsome prince, in the finale.

The show’s $6-million price tag includes striking backdrops by scenic designer Robert Little and elaborate new systems for sound and special-effects fog. “We pulled out all the stops,” Paul said.

To remain true to their celebrated characters, the performers worked with a coach and spent time before a mirror to perfect every gesture. The audience response has been overwhelming, said Maradith Feinberg, 24, who portrays Belle.

“I didn’t realize till I started playing the role how much of an impact these characters have on children. Belle has become such a role model to them.”

But it’s not just the kids who have oohed and aahed at the show, said Craig Horowitz, who plays the Beast.

“I think adults enjoy it just as much,” he said, “because it’s like a Broadway production.”

Horowitz, 23, is a five-year Disney veteran who in this show is larger than life. His costume is 7 feet tall, 45 inches wide, 3 feet thick, and weighs 55 pounds.

“This is more of an acting role than a double axel (jumping) role,” he said. “My biggest challenge is to make that huge character piece look like my own skin.”

SHOW TIME

At the Anaheim Arena, 2695 E. Katella Ave., the show is performed daily except Mondays, through Jan. 9. Show times are today, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, noon and 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 5 p.m. Call (714) 704-2500 or (714) 740-2000 (Ticketmaster) for show times of later dates. Prices are $9.50 to $15.50, with $30 rink-side seats available only at the box office. * At the Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., the show will be Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 20, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 21, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 22, noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 23, noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9.50 to $15.50, plus VIP seating $30. Wednesday, family night, all seats are $4 less. (310) 436-3661.