Show Synopsis:
Belle is the beautiful daughter of Maurice, an eccentric inventor, in a small French town, and although the townspeople see her as a bit odd, the pompous Gaston wishes to be her husband. When Maurice is captured by a Beast who lives in a large castle with enchanted objects, Belle trades her freedom for her father's and becomes the Beast's prisoner. Gradually, Belle and the Beast become friends and begin to fall in love. When Belle learns her father is ill, the Beast lets her leave to care for him, even though he knows that he will only be a human again if a woman can admit to loving him before his twenty-first birthday, and she is might be his last chance. Gaston tries to blackmail Belle into marrying him by locking up Maurice in an insane asylum if she does not agree to be his fiance, but then learns Belle cares for the Beast. Gaston and the townspeople storm the castle to kill him, but the Beast and his enchanted objects fight back, killing Gaston. As the Beast lays dying, Belle admits her love, turning him back into a prince.	

Character:
The Beast, a selfish prince who was turned into a hideous beast and harbors a lot of resentment and anger.

Song Context:
The Beast mourns the fact that Belle may be the final woman he will meet before the last rose petal falls, making his temporary enchantment permanent. He does  not know if he can love her, or make her love him.	

Fun Facts:
1) This musical was adapted from the hit Disney movie based on the traditional fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont. 
2) Terrence Mann originated the role of the Beast on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his performance. 
3) Alan Menken has won more Academy Awards than any other living person, including two for the Disney film Beauty and the Beast.