[NEohioPAL]Berko review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Carousel)

[Roy Berko]

‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ AT CAROUSEL MORE BEAUTY THAN
BEAST, BUT...

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

‘DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,’ which is now on stage
at Carousel Dinner Theatre, tells a "tale as old as
time."  It was originally conceived as a story in
1740.  It was a tedious, dark and scary tale which in
1756 was later transformed into the popular version. 
In 1992 Disney released a version of the story which
became the first animated feature to be nominated for
the Academy Award’s Best Picture.  (It lost to ‘THE
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.’)  In 1994 Disney transformed
the script into an award winning  Broadway musical
which is now the sixth longest-running show in
Broadway history.  The show has been in presented in15
countries and in translated into 7 languages.  It is
estimated that over 24 million people have seen the
live version of the show.

The story concerns a prince who, because he has no
love in his heart, is transformed into a hideous beast
by an enchantress.  To break the spell, the Beast must
learn to love another and earn their love in return.
If not, he will be doomed to remain a beast for all
time.  

Of course, as in all fairy tales there has to be a
happy ending, so enter Belle, a beautiful young woman
who lives with her eccentric father in a small town
near the Beast’s castle. Belle longs for a life of
adventure like those that she reads of in her books. 
Her father gets lost in the woods and wanders into the
Beast’s castle, where he is imprisoned. Upon finding
her father in the Beast's clutches, Belle offers
herself to the Beast in return for the release of her
father.  And...well, you can guess the rest.   Yes,
the Beast learns kindness and love, it is reciprocated
by Belle, and we all go out of the theatre singing the
likes of “If I Can’t Love Her,” “A Change in Me,” “Be
Our Guest,” and the title song, “Beauty and the
Beast.”

Carousel’s production, under the direction of Marc
Robin, has some shining moments, but fails to create
the potential magic of the show.   Part of the problem
lies with Robin’s direction.  As in Carousel’s ‘CATS,’
early in this season, he fails to imbue in some of his
cast members the necessity to “be” the characters they
portray instead of feigning the characterizations.  He
also paces the show in a meandering pattern.   It
lacks vitality.   His choreography also fails to light
up the stage.

The show lacks polish.  This may be because, as one
member of the cast indicated, “We only had five days
of rehearsal before we opened.”  He said this in
wonderment that the production was able to get staged
in such a short period of time.  I would hope as the
production runs, it might meld better.

Another factor in the lack of sparkle is the
restriction placed on Carousel by Disney and Music
Theatre International, which own the rights to the
show.  The theatre is not permitted to copy the
original Broadway or animated feature designs. 
Because of this the images which audience members are
used to are missing.  As good as Dale DiBernardo’s
costume designs are, there is a visual element
missing.  Robert Kovach’s set designs don’t help the
matter.  They tend to lack creativity and sometimes
cause staging problems.

The performance qualities vary greatly.  Julia Krohn
is a charming Belle.  Even though she was sick on
reviewer night, her voice still was excellent.  She
light up the stage.  Curt Dale Clark sings the role of
the Beast well, though in the early scenes his Beast
was not menacing enough.

James Patterson is delightful as Lumiere, the
candlesticks.  The fact that he has played the role on
Broadway and in the touring company shows.  John
Reeger is wonderful as Cogsworth, the clock, as is
Paula Scrofano as Mrs. Potts.  Another performance
highlight is that of Benjamin Brooks Cohen as the much
maligned, punched and tossed LeFou though he often
slips into a characture rather than being the
character.  By overdoing the slapstick he draws away
from the delight and we laugh at him rather than with
him.  As the dresser, Arlene Robertson is delightful.

On the other hand, Matt Stokes feigns the role of
Gaston, Belle’s boorish muscle-bound suitor.  He, of
bad wig, is all shticks and gimmicks and no
characterization.  He dances poorly and his lines lack
believability.  

The dancing, with few exceptions, is weak.  There were
times when it actually looked like they were counting
their steps.  The male chorus lacked the necessary
vocal dynamics.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Carousel’s ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’
isn’t a bad show, it just lacks polish, dynamism and
the special quality that makes the movie and Broadway
productions so wonderful.  

For tickets  to ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ call
800-362-4100.  Show times are Tuesday through Thursday
evenings at 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings at
8:30 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 5.  Matinees are on
Wednesday and Saturday at 2.  Dinner is served two
hours prior to curtain.  Ticket prices range from $27
to $43.50.


Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


		
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