Reviewed
by Judy Richter
"Disney's Beauty and the Beast" tells an age-old tale, but it becomes fresh and new in the hands of Broadway By the Bay, thanks to director Brooke Knight and to topnotch contributions on all other fronts. The magic starts immediately with a full orchestral sound for the Prologue. Musical director Rick Reynolds oversees one of the best orchestras -- sometimes a weakness -- BBB has ever assembled. The musical magic is accompanied by Michael Ramsaur's complex, intriguing light design.
This
is the tale of a handsome prince who is transformed into a beast (Noel
Anthony) because
of a heartless act. The spell can be broken only when he learns to love and is
loved in return, but most people flee from him in fear because he's so scary
looking. His luck changes when he meets the lovely, intelligent and independent
Belle (Kimberly Jensen). She causes him to mend his ways, and thus she begins to see the
goodness inside him.
Of
course there has to be a villain. In this case he's the tall, dark and handsome
but brutish and stupid Gaston (Jeremy Stolle), who decides he's going to
marry Belle and resorts to nefarious deeds to persuade her. Part of his plot
involves trying to victimize Belle's loving but eccentric father, Maurice (Dan
Demers).
Gaston's henchman is the hapless Lefou, played by the limber-legged Paul
Araquistain.
The
Beast's castle is inhabited by a group of servants who also have fallen victim
to the spell by taking on characteristics of household items. They include
Lumiere (Zach Trimmer), Cogsworth (Brad Friedman), Babette (Gennine Taylor), Mrs. Potts (Tracy Chiappone), her son Chip (James Zongus) and Madame de le Grande Bouche
(Julia Louise Hosack). They all join in a rousing welcome to Belle in "Be Our
Guest,"
joined by enchanted dishes, an athletic area rug, salt and pepper shakers, and
others.
The
energetic, intricate choreography is by resident choreographer Berle Davis and his protege Ashlee Fife, a BBB alumna who has enjoyed an
extensive professional dance career. Professionalism also is apparent in the quality
of the singing throughout the cast, but especially from Anthony, Jensen, Stolle
and Chiappone. The storybook sets are from the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, N.Y. The colorful
costumes come from the Theater Company. Sound (somewhat overmiked) is by Sound on
Stage.
"Disney's
Beauty and the Beast," which features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, is the sixth-longest-running
musical in Broadway history. Based on the popular animated Disney film, it
appeals to all ages, especially the younger set, which made up a significant
portion of the Sunday matinee audience. Most seemed enchanted, along with the
adults, thanks to this outstanding ensemble performance.