Once Upon a Time are the beginning words used to signify a fairytale, while a traditional musical begins with an opening number. Beauty and the Beast is such a Disney fairytale, complete with the opening lines of a fairytale, musical numbers, dances, and a happy ending for the romantic couple. The musical follows Belle, a young French maiden, as she winds up in the castle of a cursed Beast, where the two find true love and break the curse. Of course, the show is complex in its unfolding story and intricate cast of characters that journey alongside the main couple, adding to the elements of a true Disney fairytale. The musical Chicago, however, begins with the number “All That Jazz” and showcases a jazzy style compared to the romantic fairytale.
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In both Beauty and the Beast and Chicago, the main character undergoes a change in their life after being locked away. Belle is locked away in the Beast’s castle, where she is guided by Mrs. Potts and the other enchanted objects as her view of the Beast changes from dislike to love. This change is seen audibly through the song “Something There,” where the characters begin to notice a shift in feeling between Belle and the Beast. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Roxie Hart is thrown in jail after she is accused of murder, where she is guided by Mama and Billy Flynn. Her individual spirit along with her counsellors causes a change in her reputation as she goes from an innocent girl to one ambitious for fame. These changes each have their own effect on the ending of each story, which is not alike between these two musicals. In Beauty and the Beast, the change to love regardless of the book’s cover leads to love winning and conquering the curse that had first changed the Beast and his castle of servants. True love’s vows are depicted as a powerful cure that came about after the change of heart between the lead characters. Chicago ends significantly different, not filled with love but rather fueled by pure personal desire and ambition. After being released from prison, both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly pull themselves together and …show more content…
Beauty and the Beast and Chicago characterize the idea of jealous characters that seek strong egos and reputations. In Beauty and the Beast, the Prince’s selfish actions result in the Beast’s curse, while Gaston’s personality of “all’s well that ends with me” ultimately leads to his death. Alike to these egocentric characters are Roxie Hart, Billy Flynn, and Velma Kelly in Chicago, each who seek their own personal fame and work through the entire musical to achieve it. The difference between these two shows full of self-centered characters is the result of where personal ambition leads, as life ends poorly for those in a fairytale who are concerned only for themselves while the story is success for similar characters in Chicago. Another aspect between the two shows is the fact that each is set in a specific time period, which influences the idea of the show. Beauty and the Beast is set in the 1740’s, a time where the usage of rifles and steam-powered machines were first common, along with castles, royalty, and the design of the clothing. Completely different from this elegant time is that of Chicago, set in the Roaring Twenties where life was full of parties, alcohol, and the advancement of women’s suffrage. These two time periods are vastly different from one another, yet each influence their characters and show as a
In both Beauty and the Beast and Chicago, the main character undergoes a change in their life after being locked away. Belle is locked away in the Beast’s castle, where she is guided by Mrs. Potts and the other enchanted objects as her view of the Beast changes from dislike to love. This change is seen audibly through the song “Something There,” where the characters begin to notice a shift in feeling between Belle and the Beast. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Roxie Hart is thrown in jail after she is accused of murder, where she is guided by Mama and Billy Flynn. Her individual spirit along with her counsellors causes a change in her reputation as she goes from an innocent girl to one ambitious for fame. These changes each have their own effect on the ending of each story, which is not alike between these two musicals. In Beauty and the Beast, the change to love regardless of the book’s cover leads to love winning and conquering the curse that had first changed the Beast and his castle of servants. True love’s vows are depicted as a powerful cure that came about after the change of heart between the lead characters. Chicago ends significantly different, not filled with love but rather fueled by pure personal desire and ambition. After being released from prison, both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly pull themselves together and …show more content…
Beauty and the Beast and Chicago characterize the idea of jealous characters that seek strong egos and reputations. In Beauty and the Beast, the Prince’s selfish actions result in the Beast’s curse, while Gaston’s personality of “all’s well that ends with me” ultimately leads to his death. Alike to these egocentric characters are Roxie Hart, Billy Flynn, and Velma Kelly in Chicago, each who seek their own personal fame and work through the entire musical to achieve it. The difference between these two shows full of self-centered characters is the result of where personal ambition leads, as life ends poorly for those in a fairytale who are concerned only for themselves while the story is success for similar characters in Chicago. Another aspect between the two shows is the fact that each is set in a specific time period, which influences the idea of the show. Beauty and the Beast is set in the 1740’s, a time where the usage of rifles and steam-powered machines were first common, along with castles, royalty, and the design of the clothing. Completely different from this elegant time is that of Chicago, set in the Roaring Twenties where life was full of parties, alcohol, and the advancement of women’s suffrage. These two time periods are vastly different from one another, yet each influence their characters and show as a