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by Kenna Cook
Having seen our very own production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: the Stage Musical” every night (an accumulative total of five times including the matinee), I think I have a pretty good idea of how it turned out. And I am happy to say that it was by far one of the best shows I have ever attended.
Right from the opening scene, I was enthralled with the lively choreography and singing. Each scene had elaborate dances that went hand in hand with the current song. Each actor (including ensemble members) never broke character during the show.
Some think that ensemble roles are the least important, but I would disagree, especially with this particular show. The ensemble made the show what it was; without them, the production would have been bland and nearly impossible to sit through. The number “Be our Guest” was made up (almost) entirely of ensemble members, including dancing forks, spoons, spatulas, whisks, china, napkins, salt and pepper. The ensemble made the production a magical experience.
While the ensemble was absolutely wonderful, the lead roles weren’t any less exquisite. Each lead role had a clear, distinct personality and their excellent singing dexterity made the show a delightful experience. Every character was cast perfectly with a flawless performer. Six characters particularly stood out to me. The first two of the six were Babette and Lumiere. Their characters were played by Adam Cox and Emily Wheeler. Wheeler’s and Cox’s characters blended perfectly, making the flirty and comedic duo the audience came to know.
The second two were Gaston and Lefou, played by Kaje and Brathan Nielson, two brothers, making the pair even more well fitting. The two Nielsons added an impeccable comedic side to the show. The fifth was the Beast, played by Harrison Cook. The way Cook portrayed the Beast made his character utterly believable. You felt each emotion he felt, whether that emotion was anguish, despair or pure joy, you were alongside him through his troubles. Last, but definitely not least, was Belle. Kylee Davis (who played Belle) had a beautiful singing voice and all her emotions were spot on and believable.
Something I especially liked in this rendition of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was the superior character development as opposed to the Disney movie. In this tale, there were a few added details that made the show that much more wonderful.
In the beginning of the performance, there is a duet between Belle and Maurice titled “No Matter What.” The song defines the relationship Belle has with her father. The final line of the song, “you’re all I’ve got,” shows how both characters are outcasts from the other villagers, creating the memorable bond between them.
Another example of the character development in the show was the Beast. One of his lines, to be simply put, was heartbreaking. A few moments before the line is spoken, Belle is exploring the castle and finds her way into the west wing where the enchanted rose is kept.
The Beast finds her there, frightens her and drives her out of the castle. The Beast tries to apologize, but Belle is too frightened and races out of the castle. The Beasts responds: “There is so little of me left ….so little left…”
That exchange shows a new side to the Beast’s character. The vulnerable side of his character is rarely shown in the movie, which was a detail that I really appreciated.
The only constructive criticism I would have to offer would be concerning the climactic scenes. Some of the climactic scenes left me feeling unfulfilled. They lacked the intensity that could have strengthened the show’s impact. The scene where Maurice is attacked by wolves I would assume is supposed to be one of the main climactic scenes, although when watching that scene, it was somewhat of a letdown. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what kept it from the great potential it had.
Although some of the scenes were a bit unsatisfying, the disappointment was promptly made up with the following acts. The song “Maison de Lune” was refreshing with its eerie melody and harmonies while the song “Something There” creates a loving and sweet atmosphere.
Another admirable talent that multiple performers showcased was the ability to fly through the inevitable hiccups in the show. On opening night, not ten minutes into the show, Belle’s blue skirt fell off mid-solo, revealing her petticoat. Davis merely tossed it off stage and went on as if nothing had happened.
While watching the cast perform, I never would have guessed that they were high school students. Their acting and singing skills combined were phenomenal, and something I would expect to see at a college performance (having attended multiple college productions myself).
All in all, the show was breathtaking and there was barely anything I would want to change about it. Every member of the cast gave a phenomenal performance. It was truly magical.
