By Amber Rubio
St. George Musical Theater is bringing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to southern Utah, a beautiful spectacle for the whole family. Variations of Beauty and the Beast have been told as far back as the second century although the current version is credited to Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Gallon de Villeneuve in 1740. What brought this dynamic show to the mainstream to entertain both adults and children alike is credited to Disney when the movie was released in 1991. People fell in love with this new take on finding love when beauty and looks were taken away. Really falling in love with who the person is rather than how they appear. A vain and spoiled prince turns away a lost, cold old woman. Little does he know that she is in fact an enchantress that curses the castle until he is able to find true love without his dashing good looks. Belle is a beautiful but quirky young woman from the small village that wants nothing to do but read and take care of her father. Through a series of events Belle and the Beast of a prince are thrown together and the story unfolds. The show was quickly adapted to stage when it opened on Broadway in 1994.
St. George Musical Theater does not disappoint with their adaptation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. It takes place in a quaint in the round style theater. This unique experience makes every seat a part of the show as the characters work their way around the patrons and the scenes play out all over the arena. I have had the privilege of seeing some of Director Kelly Olsen’s past shows before and knew I was in for a treat with BATB. His attention to detail and storytelling is once again demonstrated thoughout this show as we are lead down a familiar path but also shown a whole new way to see. Choreographer Becky Reed has done a great job of using the full stage and making sure your eyes are constantly moving to take in all the great upbeat dancing. Music Director Alice Ericksen showed her talents by working with the gifted actors to find the balance of giving us refreshing new ways to hear the songs while keeping the familiarity that we love to experience in a show such as this. The real shout out has to go to Costume Designer Wendy Walton and Costumer Tina Forsyth. The costume detail is spectacular. I could not wait for each scene to change just to see what sight was going to be coming next.
This particular production is double cast and I am grateful I saw it early enough in the run to go back and see the second cast. Tyson Chanticleer, who plays Beast, is a new performer to southern Utah. His dynamic performing is going to be very welcome here. His ability to go from fierce and angry to sensitive and timid is heartwarming. Then there is his voice—t he control and pitch is beyond pleasing to listen to. Caleb Christensen (Lumiere) was my daughter’s favorite for sure. Every time he took the stage out of the corner of my eye I would see her light up. His charisma is bigger than the room itself. His dancing, laughter, and sing song way of talking made me smile and want to spend more time watching him y. Allison Ryan (Belle) finds the perfect balance between sweet, vulnerable, strong-willed, and determined. She is the perfect example of loving daughter and the strong young woman that made people all over the world fall in love with this timeless tale. Charlie Stover (Chip) is the adorable factor in this show for sure. Despite the fact that all could be seen is his adorable face, he is dynamic with his clear and confident delivery of lines to his singing about the dream to one day be human again. Mason Stevens (Gaston) and Armando Serrano (Lefou) are a perfect team with the leader and the follower as they work together to attempt to make Gaston’s dreams come true and demonstrate the perfect macho character that we love to hate. Amber Bird (Babbette), Paul R Nickels (Maurice), Kristin Porter (Mrs.Potts), Matthew Prince (Cogsworth) all contribute to showing the love that is abundant in the castle as they work together to break the curse and demonstrate the love they have for the prince who fails to see his worth. There is an extensive ensemble cast that make this story come to life as they dance and sing their way into your heart.
Beauty and the Beast may be well known but it has a story that you never get tired of hearing. This new rendition has the balance of new and exciting while keeping the nostalgia we have when you experience a show that played a role in each of our pasts. This is a show that is great for all ages.
Note: Be aware that there is lots of fog machine and if you are sensitive to that sit at the east side to get the minimal effects from it.
St.George Musical Theater presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, By Howard Ashman and Alan Menken
St.George Musical Theater, 212 N Main, St.George, UT 84770
November 29- December 22, 2018, Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 PM, matinees December 8, 15, 2:00 PM
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Tickets: $17-$21, call for group rates
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