By Noelle Lambert
Beauty and the Beast—a classic show with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton—is currently being presented by the magical SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem. This musical is directed by Jerry Elison and, with the help of several other talented people, it is a delightful performance.
Based on a French fairy tale by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve and the 1991Walt Disney Pictures film of the same name, this tale as old as time concerns French peasant Belle,(Lauren Pope) who agrees to be the prisoner of a hideous monster to free her father. Little does she know that the Beast (David Matthew Smith) is actually a prince under a curse, which only true love can break. Hindrances to their potential happily-ever-after include butted heads, a narcissistic suitor, and life-and-death stakes.
Smith as the Beast commands the stage with the opening scene. It is outstanding how he is capable of acting and portraying the moment he is transformed from prince to beast without words and only through action.
Pope portrays the quirky yet beautiful Belle, entering the show with her gorgeous singing voice. Hearing her sing the part of Belle is almost like watching the original movie; her voice is truly that notable. The first song “Belle” is accompanied by the ensemble, which displays the excellent costume designs by Kelsey Seaver. Each member of the cast has a unique outfit suitable for the small-town French setting, yet all the costumes blend together well.
Josh Egbert, playing the narcissistic Gaston, shows not only his exceptional acting skills,but also his astounding singing voice in the song “Me” as he attempts to propose to Belle. His talent in portraying the cocky character evokes bounteous amounts of laughter from the crowd as he flexes and prances around Belle.
In contrast to the prideful Gaston, J. Arden Hopkin brings a superb stage presence as the humble yet lovable father of Belle. During his song with Pope, “No Matter What”, Hopkin’s excels in this endearing scene as he portrays a loving father-daughter relationship.
Samuel Wright as Lumiere and Kyle Baugh as Cogsworth are brilliant in portraying their conflicting characters, as well as bringing humor to the stage with their puns. Moreover, Brittney Wallace as Babette is delightful, playing the role of a flirt as she banters continuously with Wright. The song “Be Our Guest” brings cheers of joy from the audience; the costumes and choreography are flawless.
The choreography created by Dani LeCompe is particularly enchanting not only in “Be Our Guest” but also in the song “Gaston”. During this song, Tanner Wood is fantastic as Lefou, acting the part of a pushover sidekick impeccably. I was particularly impressed by Wood’s ability to run around the stage while also singing on key.
“Beauty and the Beast,” performed by Janalee Hess (Mrs. Potts), is charming. Every detail is attended to, including the classic dress Belle wears; again, Seaver does a superb job with her designs. Smith and Pope’s musical performances during this song is lovely; their voices flawlessly combine to create the iconic scene with Mrs. Potts and the other characters in the castle.
The stage lighting is splendid. Although the show begins at 8:00 PM while it’s still light outside, as the sun goes down and the natural lighting disappears, the stage lighting is especially impressive. It is particularly incredible during the climactic ending. Lighting designer Mark Ohran does an excellent job in creating a magical show, in combination with the scene designs done by Shawn M. Mortensen. During the show, there are a few songs I had never actually heard before. I was impressed by how flawlessly these fit in to the show and how superbly the singers do their parts. Music director Dana Cardon truly excels in guiding the sounds of the show to create excellent entertainment. Scene changes are timelyand seamless, while a momentary hiccup in the sound system during this performance was fixed immediately.
The SCERA Outdoor Theatre is a perfect way to spend a summer night. There is seating with chairs as well as areas for blankets to be spread out. This atmosphere is perfect for those who have rowdy children who cannot just sit in a chair for a couple of hours. There are food and drinks sold within the theater as well. Because it is an outdoor theater, bug repellent is recommended.
Don’t miss an opportunity to be enchanted at SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast. It is appropriate for kids of all ages, so whether you have children or not, come and experience the joy of being like a kid again by entering the world of Belle and the Beast.
The SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre Presents Beauty and the Beast, music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton.
The SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 699 South State Street, Orem Utah 84097
August 2-17, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 2019 8:00 PM
Tickets: $10-$18
Contact: 801-225-ARTS
0 Comments