A Change in Me
"A Change in Me" is a song written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice for the musical Beauty and the Beast, a stage adaptation of Disney's 1991 animated film of the same name.
The song was written specifically for American singer Toni Braxton when she joined the production to play the role of Belle in 1998, four years into the musical's run.
Immediately popular among critics and audiences, the pop ballad has been positively received since Braxton debuted it, remaining part of the show's set list ever since.
Composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice had already written six original songs for the stage adaptation of Beauty and the Beast,[1] most of which focus on character development, including a solo for Belle entitled "Home".
[2] In July 1998, American R&B singer Toni Braxton entered final negotiations to make her Broadway debut as Belle in Beauty and the Beast,[3][4] replacing actress Kim Huber in the role.
[6] However, various circumstances resulted in Braxton continuously delaying to sign the contract until she met for dinner with Menken, Rice and choreographer Matt West; Roth was out of town at the time and unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
[6] Panicked, Ross immediately contacted Rice, who confirmed that he had in fact agreed to write a song for Braxton, blaming himself for having consumed too much alcohol during their dinner.
Rice asked Ross to allow him 24 hours to review the musical and see if there was in fact a moment for which he and Menken could develop a new song, and decided to write a ballad for the second act during which Belle tells Maurice how she has changed during her stay in the Beast's castle.
[7] In addition to being the first black performer to portray Belle on Broadway,[8] Braxton was the first African-American woman to star in a leading role in a Disney production across any medium.
[15] Delivered simply,[16] she explains to her father Maurice that she no longer longs for the things she had wished for earlier in Act 1's "Belle (Reprise)",[17][18] revealing just how much her time spent in the Beast's castle has transformed both her identity and perspective.
[6] The Drama Review wrote, "As she approached the chorus of 'A Change in Me,' Braxton let loose a vocal wail that seemed to send a shuddering rush through to the back of the audience.
"[35] Disney executive Michael Eisner, who attended Braxton's first show, was so pleased with the ballad that he decided "A Change in Me" should be written into every other production of Beauty and the Beast that was running at the time.
Bob Curtright of The Wichita Eagle complimented actress Jillian Butterfield's "clear soprano" for "captur[ing] the right moods" on musical numbers such as "A Change in Me".
"[41] Jennifer Perry, writing for Maryland Theatre Guide, called actress Emily Behny's rendition "very memorable and displays her sweet soprano and strong belt.
