Beauty and the Beast on Ice: A Skating Spectacle of Disney Magic (1996)

According to our host, then Disney President and CEO Michael Eisner, “In tonight’s special, Beauty and the Beast: Concert on Ice, we are about to see an exciting new interpretation of the Academy Award-winning story and score from Beauty and the Beast.”

Originally airing on CBS on December 8, 1996, Beauty and the Beast: A Concert on Ice reimagines Disney’s timeless tale through the grace and spectacle of figure skating. The special seamlessly blends the music from both the animated film and the Broadway production, showcasing Olympic-level skaters alongside members of the theatrical stage cast.

A Cast of Champions

Olympic gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva brings elegance and heart to the role of Belle, while Victor Petrenko, another Olympic champion, captures the Beast’s inner turmoil and transformation. Disney favorite Scott Hamilton skates as the ever-entertaining Lumière, and Lloyd Eisler steps in as the egotistical Gaston.

Other world-class skaters include Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko, Shae-Lynn Bourne & Victor Kraatz, and JoJo Starbuck as Mrs. Potts. Their performances turn the ice into a stage filled with theatrical emotion, dazzling choreography, and Disney Wonder.

Adding to the magic are guest artists from Disney’s Broadway stage cast, including Susan Egan and James Barbour providing the singing voices for Belle and the Beast. Their soaring vocals echo across the rink as the performers skate through beloved numbers like “Be Our Guest”, “Gaston”, and “Beauty and the Beast.”

A New Kind of Disney Storytelling

The special was directed by Steve Binder.  It combined skating and storytelling in a beautiful way.  Disney’s message of love and transformation was clear throughout the performance.

Beauty and the Beast: A Concert on Ice (1996), special guests from the Stage Theatrical Cast

This concert on ice gave fans a new reason to love the story. It remains a highlight among Disney’s many television specials. If you missed it in 1996, it’s time to rediscover this frozen fairy tale. It’s a tale as old as time—told on ice.