The first English-language Broadway production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast opened in 1994.
The stage musical adapted Disney's 1991 animated film for live performance. It retained songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, added new material by Menken and Tim Rice, and expanded the characters and story to fit a full theatrical evening.
The Broadway production began previews in March 1994 and officially opened at the Palace Theatre in April 1994. Susan Egan originated the role of Belle, while Terrence Mann played the Beast and Burke Moses played Gaston. The production was directed by Robert Jess Roth.
Beauty and the Beast became Disney's first Broadway musical. Its success helped establish a long-running pattern of adapting Disney animated films for the stage, later followed by productions such as The Lion King and Aladdin.