excerpts

The Best American series is the premier annual showcase for the country's finest short fiction and nonfiction. Each volume's series editor selects notable works from hundreds of magazines, journals, and websites. A special guest editor, a leading writer in the field, then chooses the best twenty or so pieces to publish. This unique system has made the Best American series the most respected -- and most popular -- of its kind..

CD contains Prologue (3:12) -- Belle (5:07) -- Belle (reprise) (1:03) -- Gaston (3:37) -- Gaston (reprise) (2:01) -- Be our guest (3:42) -- Something there (2:16) -- The mob song (3:28) -- Beauty and the beast (2:44) -- To the fair (1:55) -- West wing (3:39) -- The beast lets Belle go (2:19) -- Battle on the tower (5:27) -- Transformation (5:45) -- Beauty and the beast (duet) (4:03).

Examines the life and work of American composer and lyricist Jerry Herman, who progressed from off-Broadway revues in the 1950s to Broadway successes such as "Milk and Honey," "Dolly," and "Mack & Mabel," in the 1960s and 1970s as well as 1983's "La Cage aux Folles.".

Musical segments extracted from Disney films and television programs.

When a prince falls in love with a princess, she is turned into a swan by an evil magician and must rely on the prince's love to break the spell. Features additional tracks that explore the life of Peter Tchaikovsky, describe the music featured in the story, and offer a sing-along for young listeners.

Illustrations and the song "Summertime" from the "Porgy and Bess" musical depict a family's routine summer day.