**** Highly Recommended The newest iteration of one of my favorite Disney musicals, Beauty and the Beast, is absolutely spectacular. While the story is unchanged, this 30th anniversary production directed and choreographed by Matt West, has the addition of new special effects and lots of razzle-dazzle which boosts it from beautiful to truly enchanting. The audience was spellbound! This show is a must-see! 4 BIG Spotlights
As in many stories starting with ‘once upon a time,’ someone is under a spell. In this case, an arrogant Prince offends an Enchantress (Kate Wesler) who turns him into a Beast (Fergie L. Phillipe). This spell also affects everyone who lives/works in his castle, turning them into furniture and other household goods. Of course, there’s a catch – he must fall in love AND someone must love him back BEFORE a rose loses its petals. By the way, this Prologue is narrated by the voice of Angela Lansbury.
Meanwhile, there’s a beautiful girl named Belle (Kyra Belle Johnson) living in a nearby village with her father, Maurice (Kevin Ligon). Belle loves to read and help her father with his off-the-wall inventions, so both are considered ‘odd’ by the villagers.
Gaston (Stephen Mark Lukas), a legend in his own mind, has decided that Belle is the only girl in the village worthy enough to be his wife. His stooge, LeFou (Harry Francis), provides comic relief as Gaston postures and poses.
On his way to an inventors’ contest, Maurice gets lost in the forest. Terrified by wolves, he happens upon the enchanted castle. The servants – gradually turning into furniture – are worried but let him in. Angry because someone has invaded his home, the Beast imprisons Maurice.
When she realizes her father is missing, Beauty is frantic. When she finds the castle, she confronts the Beast, offering to stay in her father’s place. When the Beast lost his temper, Belle refused to leave her room, making him even more angry. Worried about her father, Belle confronts the Beast who uses a magic mirror to show her that her father is back home.
The servants – Cogsworth (Javier Ignacio), the butler, who is turning into a clock; Lumiere (Danny Gardner), a candlestick, Mrs. Potts (Kathy Voytko), a teapot; her son Chip (Levi Blaise Coleman or Beatrice Goddard Beggs), a teacup on a rolling teacart; Babette (Cameron Monroe Thomas), a feather duster; and Madame de la Grande Bouche (Holly Ann Butler), a former opera diva who is becoming a wardrobe – welcome Belle with one of my favorite songs, Be Our Guest. Dinner features dancing dishes and cutlery, a fabulous production number featuring a Rockette-style dance line and the can-can.
In spite of her promise, Belle runs away from the castle. Back home, however, Gaston just won’t go away. After he gets the whole village riled up, he leads a mob toward the castle. They run away in terror but he fights the Beast but loses his life.
Although the staff are sure Belle is their savior – Human Again – the Beast is not so sure. But after some setbacks, Belle, wearing a spectacular sparkly yellow ballgown, has dinner with the Beast. As they dance, Mrs. Potts serenades them with title song, Beauty and the Beast.
By the way, when they kiss, the Beast does change back to a prince, floating up into the air, doing a spin or two, with lights flashing everywhere – real razzle-dazzle!
The Beauty and the Beast ensemble includes Benjamin Cheng, Spencer Dean, Julian Marcus De Guzman, Michael Dikegoros, Masumi Iwai, Darrell T. Joe, Emily Larger, Melaina Rairamo, Grace Marie Rusnica, Ben Sears, Jasmine Pearl Villroel and Kate Wesler.
Swings are: Vinny Andaloro, Brianna Ascione, Matthew Marvin, Lena Matthews, Caleb McArthur, Carson Hampton Palmer, Sam Rose Pearson, Katie Pohlman, Ellen Robers and Michael Seltzer.
The Beauty and the Beast orchestra is conducted by David Andrews Rogers with Associate Conductors Connor Doran and Josh Tatsuo Cullen. Orchestra members are Michele Lekas (Violin); Dane Anderson (Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute); David Orlicz (Clarinet, Flute, Bass Clarinet); Tim Burke (Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Picccolo Trumpet); Sarah Younker (French Horn); Michael Joyec (Trombone, Bass Trombone); Gary Seligson (Drums, Percusson); Michael Hopewell (Music Associate, Keyboard Swing); Connor Doran & Josh Tatsuo Cullen (Keyboards).
Beauty and the Beast was written by Linda Woolverton with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. It is an adaptation of the Walt Disney Pictures’ 1991 film, which was based on a story written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, adapted from a 1740 fairy tale written by the French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. After its 1994 premiere on Broadway, it ran for thirteen years.
Beauty and the Beast runs through August 2nd at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago. Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes, with an intermission. Performances are Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, Wednesdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 & 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $42.50 - $152.50. FYI www.BroadwayInChicago.com.