[NEohioPAL]Beko review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Beck)

[Roy Berko]

‘Beauty And The Beast’ Is A Beaut At Beck!

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 Beck Center, tells a "tale as old as time."  It was
originally conceived in 1740 as a dark and scary tale.
  In 1992 Disney released a lighter version of the
story which became the first animated feature to be
nominated for the Academy Award’s Best Picture.  In
1994 Disney transformed the script into an award
winning  Broadway musical.

Beck is one of the first non-Broadway or touring
companies to present the show.  What is impressive
about Beck’s getting the rights is that the show is
still running on Broadway.  This is yet another
tribute to what’s been going on in Lakewood.  The
theatre, under the wise guidance of Scott Spence, has
recently staged such winning productions as
‘URINETOWN,’ ‘MISS SAIGON,’ ‘AIDA’ and ‘THE FIX’
establishing itself as one of THE places to see
musicals in the Cleveland area.

Their production of ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ under the
able direction of Fred Sternfeld, and the marvelous
choreography of Martin Cespedes, is yet another
winner.

‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ concerns a prince who, because
he has no love in his heart, is transformed into a
beast by an enchantress.  To break the spell, the
Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in
return. If not, he will be doomed to remain a beast
for all time.  

Into the Beast’s life comes 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 she reads of in 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 as a captive in return for her father’s
release.  And...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.”

Beck’s production is enchanting.  Everything from the
sets, to the music, to the singing, to the dancing, to
the cast, works well. 

Natalie Green is glorious as Belle.  She is beautiful,
lights up the stage with her smile, sings like an
angel and dances with ease.  Her version of “A Change
in Me” was enchanting.  She is a star in every sense
of the word. 

Dan Folino, who has done some marvelous work in the
area, has a full and powerful voice and gives a
vulnerable texture to the role of the Beast that adds
much to the characterization.  His “If I Can’t Love
her” was captivating.  He and Green make the perfect
fairy tale prince and princess.  It is wonderful to
see Folino, who has not been seen on the stage lately,
appear where he should be--front and center!  I can
only hope that he will excite us with return
performances.

Though he doesn’t have the physical presence or the
natural swagger ideal for the role of the pompous
Gaston, Josh Noble has a nice singing voice and a
perfect set of pearly white teeth and creates an
acceptable characterization.

Zac Hudak (Lefou) makes for the perfect straight man
and punching bag for Gaston.  If Hudak gets through
the run of the show without a few broken bones it will
be a marvel.  

Doug Collier as Cogsworth (the clock), and Larry
Nehring, who gives a Danny Kaye quality to Lumiere are
both delightful, as is Tracee Patterson as Madame de
la Grande Bouche (the dresser) and Kristin Netzband
(Babette, the feather duster), and Miles Sternfeld
(Chip, the tea cup).  Aimee Collier has a fine voice. 
Her rendition of “Beauty and Beast” was charming. 
Unfortunately, she is missing the matronly touch
needed for Mrs. Potts.

Martin Cespedes is a master of choreography.  It is
amazing what he can do with a group of performers who,
in general, are not dancers. “Be Our Guest” and
“Gaston” were absolute show stoppers!

Larry Goodpaster’s orchestra is excellent, remembering
the rule that the orchestra in a musical plays backup
to the singers, not giving a concert.  Too bad other
conductors at local theatres don’t follow Goodpaster’s
lead.

Ben Needham’s scenic design is excellent.  It is
amazing how he used every inch of space on the small
stage to allow for ease of movement.

Director Fred Sternfeld again proves that he is a
master at placing large casts on stage and making them
look good.  He pays special attention to ensure that
his chorus and townspeople are involved in the
production and not just standing around as is often
seen on local stages.  His ability to invent “shtick”
comes through loud and clear in this production.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   Beck’s “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” is
a delightful production.  It is the best holiday
present that the theatre could give its audience.

For tickets to  ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ which runs
through December 31 at the Beck Center for the Arts,
call 216-521-2540.

Side note:  Beck Center would be wise not to sell
bagged candy and bottles of soda before the show and
at intermission or restrict their being taken into the
theatre.  Though it is a fund raiser, the  ripping
open bags of goodies and bottles rolling down the
floor of the auditorium during the production is
distracting for the audience.  In addition, since 
‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ is not a children’s show, the
box office would have been wise to inform ticket
buyers that very young children might not have the
attention span to sit through the production.  No one
expects total silence, but the yelling and talking by
little ones during the show was very disturbing.


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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