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The play begins in the small country home of Beauty, located in provincial France. Beauty lives a quiet and humble life with her selfish and vain sisters, Forsythia and Hydrangea. While Father is away at the market the girls fantasize about the most romantic city in the world. (PARIS) At the end of the day, Beauty’s father returns with great news! He has found a box of gold in the attic.
Father sets out to the market again to spend his newfound riches when he becomes lost in the forest. Wolves antagonize Father (WOLF DANCE) until he wanders into a beautiful rose garden and falls asleep. When he awakes he quickly gathers his belongings and just before leaving he plucks a red rose for Beauty. When he does this a terrible Beast appears, seeking justice for the rose that has been stolen from his garden. The Beast tells Father that he must remain at the castle as his servant for the rest of his life. Father begs the Beast to let him return to his three beautiful daughters. The beast agrees that he must return to his daughters, but must send one of his daughters in his place! Father runs back to the country home to tell his daughters of his awful adventure. As he relays the story to his daughters, selfish Hydrangea and Forsythia blame Beauty for all of Father’s troubles. When Father tells his daughters about the agreement that he has made with the Beast, Beauty courageously offers to return to the Beast’s castle alone. (DON’T BE AFRAID) Upon arrival at the Beast’s castle, Beauty quickly makes herself comfortable in the castle library. Here Stainsworth, the butler, and Mrs. Thornbush, the castle gardener, greet her and offer to take Beauty on a tour of the magnificent castle grounds. Beauty explains that she is happy to stay in and read the wonderful books in the Beast’s library. (TURN THE PAGE) When Beauty finally meets the Beast, she pleads with him to let her return to her father and sisters for one last visit. Beast refuses, but in turn offers Beauty an enchanted book. Each time she opens the book she is able to see her father and sisters. When she sees how upset her family is due to her absence, Beauty is filled with grief and cries. Mrs. Thornbush overhears Beauty and tries to comfort her by teaching her a new phrase. “C’est la vie--It means that’s life”, Mrs. Thornbush tells Beauty. Soon Stainsworth and a magical flower join Mrs. Thornbush in song and dance to cheer Beauty’s spirits. (C’EST LA VIE) The Beast overhears the commotion and tries to join in when he thinks no one is watching. When the entire party sees him trying to dance, they laugh and startle him. He growls and asks all but Beauty to leave the library. Beauty is charmed by his desire to dance and offers him lessons. (IT STARTS WITH ONE SMALL STEP) Later that evening Father and Hydrangea return to the Beast’s castle to rescue Beauty. When there Beauty begins to leave but then stops, seemingly moved by the Beast’s kindness to her. She takes one last look in the enchanted book, only this time she does not see her father and sisters. She sees the Beast, who is dying of grief because Beauty is leaving him. When she sees this, Beauty rushes to the Beast in hopes of saving him. When Beauty arrives at the Beast’s chambers, Mrs. Thornbush greets her. Mrs. Thornbush tells Beauty that she is just in time, for the Beast will die soon. Beauty pleads with the Beast not to die, because Beauty knows now that she loves him. But it is too late. Just as the Beast slips away, Beauty gives him a kiss—a kiss of true love. With this kiss, the curse that transformed the Beast is broken. He is magically transformed into a handsome prince! He asks Beauty to marry him, and Beauty, Hydrangea, Forsythia, and Father are finally reunited in a joyous wedding celebration. (FINALE) |
He promises each of his daughters anything they want. (WHAT’S YOUR PLEASURE) Forsythia and Hydrangea bicker and wish for selfish extravagant gifts, while Beauty sits quietly, seemingly uninterested in Father’s discovery. When asked what she wishes for, Beauty wishes only for a single red rose.