The Genius of Howard Ashman

Howard Ashman's greatest achievement is possibly "Belle," the opening of "Beauty and the Beast."

Disney would never create a song like this again--though the creative forces certainly *tried* to do just that, with "One Jump Ahead," from "Aladdin."

Really, the only song I can recall that rivals "Belle" is *another* Ashman opener, "Skid Row," from "Little Shop." In "Skid Row," we meet two of the stars, and we hear of their issues, and at the same time we get a lively discussion of life in a depressed city. ("Downtown....where the cabs don't stop....downtown....where the food is slop....." "Where the guys are drips...." "Where they rip your slips....")

"Belle" does three things quite well. First, it sets up Belle's story in a "meta" way. Belle tells us what will happen to her--and she does this through a discussion of a fairy tale she loves...."Isn't this amazing? It's my favorite part because....you'll see....here's where she meets Prince Charming....but she won't discover that it's him....till Chapter Three....."

Second, the song introduces us to Gaston, and to his weirdly charming/idiotic vibe. "Right from the moment when I met her, saw her...I said she's gorgeous, and I fell...." This line is so special because there is *no distinction* between seeing and meeting, for Gaston. A meeting is only skin-deep, always.

Third, Howard Ashman brings an entire town to life, with dazzling economy. Watch how the song ends. "Bonjour! Pardon! Mai ouis! You call this bacon?" "....I need six eggs!" "I'll get the knife...." "Those fish....they smell..." "That bread...it's stale...." "Madame's mistaken...." "What lovely grapes!"

Here is the work of a man enchanted by words, and by details--a born writer. The speakers seem to leap off the page.

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