In 1991, Disney brought audiences the iconic animated version of “Beauty and the Beast,” and “just as sure as the sun will rise” a Broadway musical and touring production followed, selling out theaters across the land. But…it’s been 25 years since “Beauty” toured.

“Ever just the same” doesn’t quite fit the fresher and bolder “Beauty and the Beast” that launched a 30-city North American tour in June. Kansas City is lucky to be one of those, with the show now playing at the Music Hall through this Sunday.

This performance isn’t the one you’ve seen in the past. As times and perceptions have changed and evolved, so has the artistic vision for director and choreographer Matt West’s 2025 “Beauty and the Beast”.

At its heart, the characters still struggle with their strengths and weaknesses. Kyra Belle Johnson’s bookish heroine doesn’t fit in with her rural French village. Fergie L. Philippe’s Beast struggles with self-doubt and rage. Stephen Mark Lukas’s Gaston? He’s still madly in love…with himself.

The show has been modernized to challenge how audiences understand the two-dimensional characters. Cameron Monroe Thomas’s Babette plays the field to keep Danny Gardner’s Lumiere jealous. Javier Ignacio’s Cogsworth laments his descent into just an object as a wind-up key appears on his back.

As Mrs. Potts, Kathy Voytko’s motherly presence keeps everyone calm, reassured that love takes time. The supporting players have more depth, more feeling, and more excitement at seeing their Beast fall in love — only to be crushed when he lets Belle go.

A shout-out to Chip, played by two young actors whose contortions create a mind-bending special effect whenever the character is on stage.

The show-stopping production numbers bring Broadway-level choreography to the Music Hall stage, and the pauses at the end of “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest” allowed the cast to soak up the appreciation from the audience for the extravagance of both numbers.

A hat-tip to Matt West and the dancers! They turned the beer-hall mugs in the “Gaston” number into percussion instruments in perfect time with the orchestra. Pure brilliance! The chorus will be replaying itself inside my head for weeks.

“Be Our Guest” found the beloved characters dusting off their tap shoes, and the chorus pulled off a synchronized swim number via an innovative overhead shot.

In the second act, the audience was spellbound as Belle’s yellow ball gown was revealed and Mrs. Potts opened the classic “tale as old as time.” The shimmering scene was beautifully realized through Ann Hould-Ward’s Tony Award-winning costume design and Natasha Katz’s evocative lighting.

But make no mistake: Stephen Mark Lukas’s Gaston absolutely stole the show with every scene he was in. From the moment he swaggered onto Stanley A. Meyer’s expertly crafted set, Lukas commanded the stage with a performance that turns the first act from ordinary to astounding. His Gaston is the character that elevates this production to must-see status.

Lukas owned the stage whenever he was on it, and his presence demanded recognition from those playing off of him. The bravado, the swagger, and the high esteem that Lukas’s Gaston has for himself pulled everyone to him and made them better actors, too. The village girls weren’t the only ones swooning — it’s a star-making performance that audiences won’t soon forget.

For fans of the iconic Disney classic, the original favorites are still the core of the show, thanks to composer Alan Menken’s Academy Award-winning score and the hit songs by Menken and the late Howard Ashman (including the show-stopping title song). Songs for the stage production such as “A Change in Me” and “If I Can’t Love Her” showcased the gorgeous voices and dynamic range of Johnson and Philippe.

The opening narrative was a reading done by Angela Lansbury herself. I’m not ashamed to say I was misty eyed.

Fans of all ages will appreciate the show, and there was a large contingent of younger viewers on opening night. “Beauty” is an easy introduction to live theater for parents of young children. The production is recommended for ages six and up.

A note about the Music Hall: The classic Kansas City stage is smaller than other theaters that the production is performed on. Though the blocking and production were adapted admirably, some elements of the set may be obscured for the audience on the extreme right or left. A seat in the center sections is recommended.

Beauty and the Beast is playing nightly through Nov. 2, with matinee and evening performances on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at https://www.americantheatreguild.com/kansas-city/shows/disneys-beauty-and-the-beast.