Gammage Goers

Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Baruch

Once upon time, there was a huge Broadway musical smash hit.  After a fifteen year run and many productions all over the world in numerous languages, the original creative team reassembled to recreate the magic.  They streamlined the show for a new national tour, chose an outstanding cast to play in dreamy new scenery and costumes, and voilà, it ends happily for all who drink of its beauty.

In a war-weary world bogged down by constant dilemmas and dower soothsayers, an admitted escape to Disney’s magic kingdom is a treat for the eyes, the ears, and the heart.  Beauty and the Beast laughs at itself.  It’s world is vain and garish, selfish and provincial. Then, all at once it is stunningly gorgeous, kind, and cuddly.

The new sets, much more colorful and intoxicatingly intricate, if not as heavy as the original Broadway version’s, are almost other worldly -- this is a good thing.  They’re whimsical but not comic book. A tendency toward phantom-esque décor with groupings of candles is actually a clever and effective touch.  The Phantom comparison is inevitable, anyhow: the young beauty and a tortured male form, longing for redemption that only she can bring. On Broadway I found the beast more menacing at first.  This one seems most eager to learn.  Perhaps that was abbreviated but the magic works seamlessly.

The lighting is very effective, changing hues from primeval delight in greens and blues to heavenly purples, pinks, and blues.  The rose itself is an exquisite color, not exactly pink or red but almost iridescent; hauntingly alive!

As in last production at Gammage, Young Frankenstein, this Beauty has an exceptionally talented and versatile cast, capable of a myriad of stunts and styles. The ensemble’s energy and enthusiasm really spills over into the audience, literally throwing colorful streamers into the packed house more than once.  The leads were probably the best available for a tour such as this, vocally speaking, combined with each character’s physical demands.  Both the beast and Gaston were of exceptional height with much prowess and finesse. This may be a fairy story but it takes strong, well-trained legitimate voices to sing these emotional yet lyric and musical outpourings. They never disappoint nor does the lovely Belle, our heroine, who really lets it all out for her second act heart-wrenching ballad, A Change in Me.

It was quite obvious from the wild applause after the finale, that each leading and supporting player was genuinely appreciated. Probably the most enthusiastic screams were bestowed on Gaston, the over-macho and dashing, smashing anti-hero with a beastly heart beneath his smug appeal.

Of course, the pièce de resistance in this show is its lavishness, especially in the production numbers, Be Our Guest and Human Again.  The choreography and sumptuous musicality are even surpassed by the swirling colors and dazzling luxury of the costumes.  This is what Broadway is all about…and it’s alive! I definitely won’t spoil the stagecraft in the transformation of the beast to the handsome prince.  It is very impressive… and it’s all here, on tour, for us to enjoy right here in the Valley of the Sun.  Thanks to the magic of Disney as well, dreams do come true and the beautiful heart of the rose lives happily forever after!