REVIEW BY JANE SMITH, FRONT ROW REVIEWERS
Cottonwood Heights has taken Beauty and the Beast and given it the most captivating production that is fit for any Disney Princess.
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The show opens up with the intense prologue to the Disney classic. The Prince (Zac Freeman) is hosting a party, when an old beggar woman arrives at his gates looking for shelter from the cold in exchange for a single red rose. Our Prince is so repulsed by her looks that he turns her away, in which she reveals herself as a beautiful Enchantress, and curses him and his household. We witness the Prince’s transformation from being a good-looking Prince into a hideous Beast which can be hard to do in front of an audience, yet it was captivating and exciting! The Enchantress curses him with this new found appearance and this curse extends to his staff. The Enchantress proceeds to then give him an Enchanted Rose, (Sidney Brown) who’s beautiful ballerina dance moves around the stage bewitch the audience, and slowly she starts to lose petals. The Enchantress warns him that he needs to break the curse by the time the last petal falls or the Prince, along with his household staff, will all remain with their new appearance forever.
Enter Belle, played by Summer Sloan Alvey. Our eyes whip from the center of the stage to the back of the auditorium as we hear our Heroine. As we follow her through the audience, we find our eyes directed back to center stage but this time transported to a small village. Belle is heading on an errand through her village with her borrowed book and is given one from her beloved book keeper. The villagers who she passes on her travels sing with such impressive harmonies about how they do not understand this girl and you can sympathize that Belle truly feels like she just doesn’t belong, she wants more. While Belle is enjoying her new book our eyes are forcefully drawn to Gaston (Garrett Stephenson) who is a man who makes his presence known. Entering with his latest hunting kill, his smugness descends a shadow on everyone. Known as the town hunk he certainly has let it get to his head and while other girls might fawn all over him (Savannah Ruiz, Emily Voorhees, Benzley Jane) He has his sights set on one woman only, Belle.
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Belle and her father Maurice (Brent Sloan) decide that after the fair in which her father can showcase his newest invention, that they will get out of town and finally explore new adventures together. However, due to meeting some wolves on his travels, her father winds up lost and imprisoned in the Beast’s castle. Belle finds herself trading her life for his. Belle now has to learn how to live her life in the Beast’s bewitched castle, with his radical temper, and his charming staff of objects that just so happen to be alive. All this while the Beast pains at each petal falling. Will anyone learn to love them for who they are, or will they both be a prisoner to themselves?
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Cottonwood Heights’s strong casting shows their understanding of each character and their motivations. I was impressed that each actor embraced their characters so boldly and with such dedication. The staffing of the castle has an astounding spot in my heart. The beloved candelabra Lumiere (James Carter), is full of wit, charisma and charm as he delivers a sensational rendition of “Be our Guest”, everyone in the audience was dancing in their seats. The incredible choreography included a Tango piece and it was performed perfectly. We also had Cogsworth (Gregory Harrison) who was the perfect counterpart of the duo who is a little bit more uptight, rigid and wants to follow the rules. These two on stage had us laughing and sympathizing with them throughout this trial that was no fault of their own. The sensational Mrs. Potts (Jin-Xiang Yu) who is such a beloved character astounded us with her performance of “Tale as old as Time”. Her vocals were so beautifully executed I believe every single inner child was reliving it as if it was their first time. The sensational Babette (Jillian Joy) gave us the sass on stage we needed and was garnishing not just the attention of Lumiere. Her flirtatious ways were captivating and made us all blush. Belle’s stylist in the castle was none other than Madame de la Grande Bouche (Rachel Person) and her humor and vocal ability was top notch (reminded me of a young Meryl Streep which I do not say lightly!)
While back in the village Gaston (Garrett Stephenson) is plotting how to make Belle his wife, we get to meet his partner in crime Lefou (Spencer Mack). While his name means literally “The Fool” it’s comical that he will do anything for Gaston and his approval. His impressive ways to keep Gaston happy have the crowd howling with laughter- especially when he catches the book that Gaston flings at him- yeah we all saw that! Gaston (Stephenson) kept us on our toes throughout the show and the vocal work that he displayed was truly mesmerizing, we could see why he’s the bad boy all the ladies want.
Belle (Alvey) and the Beast (Freeman) are what help shape this classic perfectly. Their connection throughout the show is so wonderfully developed and throughout each scene together we see them both slowly let down their walls. We witness just how much they start to love each other during the infamous ballroom scene and the price of a truly selfless love when the Beast lets Belle go to help her father, and when she returns again to help him. The vocals that these two have is unmatched and compliment each other. During the Beast’s song “If I can’t love her” we see just how sometimes the best thing to do for love is to let them go.
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The audience favorite however can not go unmentioned. Chip (Zaan Kathal Yufox) is incredible! He wins the hearts of every single person in that room and made us all cry tears of joy when he finally was a real boy again. We should all be keeping a close eye on this little guy as he continues to grow.
Cottonwood’s ensemble is truly out of this world and their ability to go from dancing wolves, to dishes and back to an angry mob of villagers shows such dedication. They keep the story going and manage to help us be immersed in the magic.
This production has clearly an incredible team behind them. The direction from Brighton Sloan has Beauty and the Beast perfectly executed– you could see the love and inspiration she gives to this production. Her way of telling this beloved story is not lost on anyone; her message of love, change and growth is heartwarming and felt by all. Her production team is unmatched and truly impressive. Heather Sessions- Gaillard’s choreography captivated us and helped make this spectacle visually perfect. The work of Production and Costume designer Laura Baird and her team was astounding. The pieces were not just time period appropriate but also funny and complimentary to the wigs used. Also we must give some applause for Belle’s dress. Of all the pieces, that is the one that every single little girl cares the most about and my goodness it was perfect. Wig Designer Jen Jackson did a brilliant job at giving us some stunning works of art that manage to hold many secrets.
What I think my mind will never recover from is the intricate work of the sets, lights and props. Samantha Bedont, Bill Fox, Michael Hamilton, Dave Bates, Elizabeth Moulton, and Joe Governale and their extensive team must have had the most fun putting this all together. It was not lost on the audience. The scene of the castle and the moving stairs to the village was incredible. This team was even able to show us how to see what the magic mirror was displaying leaving us all in awe. Their hard work helped propel this story forward in a way that was absolutely captivating.
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I didn’t realize upon entering the theater at Cottonwood Heights was using a live orchestra for their production of Beauty and the Beast, run by conductor and musical director Dr. Robert Bedont, and my heavens it was an amazing surprise. As I listened to the live instruments starting to tune up I was instantly pulled to the edge of my seat. Right from the Overture I could tell that every single person in that orchestra was hand picked for a specific reason and their talent was going to elevate an already beloved story.
Unfortunately the show is over, but it makes me even more excited to see what Cottonwood Heights and their powerhouse team will bring. Beauty and the Beast was their 14th production and I hope to see many many more. The passion for theater is not lost on Cottonwood Heights and I have no doubt that their future productions will be top tier, just as we found this enchanting production. Needless to say, I think it was pretty clear that Cottonwood Heights production of Beauty and the Beast took this “Tale as old as Time” and helped bring so much more to this Utah life.
Cottonwood Heights Arts Council Presents Beauty and the Beast by Linda Woolverton. Music by Alan Mencken and Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Butler Middle School, 750 S. 2700 E., Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
July 12-20th, 2024 Various showtimes.
Tickets: $10-12
Contact: artscouncil@ch.utah.gov
Cottonwood Heights Arts Council Facebook
Photos provided by Cottonwood Heights Arts Council.
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