Credit: Walt Disney Animation Studios
A beloved character was recently removed from the show inspired by 1991’s Beauty and the Beast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage opened on November 22, 1991, the same day Beauty and the Beast hit theaters. The stage production has been running for decades, entertaining fans of the Disney Princesses with an abridged version of the movie prior to the Broadway version.
Beauty and the Beast music banned
As it turns out, Disney’s Hollywood Studios may be one of the few places where Beauty and the Beast fans can hear their favorite Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs live: In May, Gaston’s voice actor Richard White revealed that stars from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film aren’t allowed to sing the songs without the mouse’s permission.
Credit: Jess Collopy, Inside the Magic
When a fan asked White to sing a few lines from “Gaston” during a panel at comic-convention C2E2, White initially dodged the question, explaining after a moment that he wasn’t allowed to perform the song from “Beauty and the Beast” outside of “official circumstances,” particularly in that “setting.”
It’s unclear whether Paige O’Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), and the rest of the “Beauty and the Beast” cast are held to the same acting rules.
The chip falls
Credit: Jess Collopy, Inside the Magic
Walt Disney World Resort may be the most magical place on Earth, but it’s not immune to the perils of live theater. Humans make mistakes, especially when wearing bulky character costumes.
This week, the Disney cast member playing Chip fell while in costume and was unable to get up.
In a video posted to TikTok by @rabbitholepursuits, the chip can be seen rolling around for a moment before technicians rushed onto the stage and helped him up.
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Chip fell off the Beauty and the Beast stage show at Walt Disney World (WDW) Hollywood Studios. Don’t worry, he was helped back up and after a short break, the show continued. #showmustgoon #disney #disneyfan #disneyblogger
♬ Original Sound – Rabbit Hole
There was no way Chip could have pulled himself up without taking off his costume, potentially injuring hundreds of guests in the process, so instead they paused the show to protect the magic and help the stranded cast member.
“Don’t worry…after a short break the show went on,” one Disney Parks guest wrote.
Have you ever visited Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort and had a show end prematurely? Share your memories with Inside the Magic in the comments section.
