Before Beauty and the Beast was finished we threw a big dog and pony show for the New York Press where we showed some of the clips from the film, and Alan sang some of the songs. 

I dont think we could have ever imagined a more enraptured reception to the movie and the songs, and we were all very excited about the idea of sharing this with Howard. We wanted him to hear the news.

Then we all jumped in the cab and then raced downtown to St. Vincent’s.

We rushed from the press presention, which as rough as it was, was a huge success. We were high from it, and we came into the cold shock of Howard dying in a hospital room. His mother pulled back the sheets to show us the Beauty and the Beast sweatshirt that he was wearing. He was 80 pounds, had lost his sight, and barely had a whisper of a voice. We shared with him what happend that day and how amazing it was and how he was there in every way. Then when it was time to leave we said our goodbyes. Before we left i bent over and whispered- “Beauty and the Beast was going to be a great success, who would of thought it” I said. Then Howard lit up and whispered, “I would have.”

Howard Ashman died on March 14, 1991.

He never saw the completed film.

SOBBING. 

Seriously, Howard Ashman, you are a genius.