Search - Various Artists :: Highlights From Disney On Broadway

Disney has been a relatively late comer on Broadway, but it's been hitting pay dirt since the stage version of Beauty and the Beast opened to critical acclaim and commercial success in 1994, followed by The Lion King and Aida. While Aida was the only original stage creation, the other two featured new songs that were not in the movies. In addition, Disney worked with some of New York's finest theatrical talent. In hindsight, hiring Julie Taymor to stage The Lion King was a stroke of genius, but it really was a daring gamble at the Time. Likewise, Beauty and the Beast gave talented theater singers like Terrence Mann and Susan Egan a chance to shine in meaty roles. Disney groomed talent as well: Heather Headley was cast in a supporting part in The Lion King before moving on to the title role in Aida. All three shows are represented on this CD (with a companion book due in October 2002), making for a perfect introduction to their best-known songs. --Elisabeth Vincentelli