[NEohioPAL]"Up Close" feature on Beck's Beauty and the Beast in Chagrin Valley Times
FSternfeld at aol.com
FSternfeld at aol.com
Mon Dec 18 06:14:41 PST 2006
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Bob Abelman, who is playing Maurice in Beck Center's production of Disney's=
=20
_Beauty and the Beast_=20
(http://www.fredsternfeld.com/beautyandthebeastencore06.htm) , is also a jou=
rnalist with the Chagrin Valley Times. Below is the=20
first in a series of articles he has written that have been published in th=
e=20
Chagrin Valley Times to provide an inside look at the production.
Up Close and Personal With the Beast
by Bob Abelman, Chagrin Valley Times
=20
Starting this week and for the next few weeks I will be unable to offer=20
reviews of local area theatre. No, there=E2=80=99s nothing wrong. On the c=
ontrary. I am=20
performing in the encore production of Disney=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CBeauty and=
the Beast=E2=80=9D at=20
the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. During the December-long run of=
the=20
show, Friday and Saturday nights are otherwise occupied.=20
What will appear in this column will be a series of backstage commentaries=20
about the intricacies of putting on this huge, professional ensemble musica=
l.=20
This theatrical travelogue of sorts will provide a rare, full access peek=20
behind closed stage doors and reveal the incredible energy and coordination=
that=20
goes into a seemingly effortless production of this magnitude. Yes, this=20
column goes investigative. Herb Hammer will continue to cover the beat so=20=
no=20
show will be left behind. =20
Articles written in the first-person can be awfully self-aggrandizing, but=20=
I=20
plan on being nothing more than a fly on the proscenium arch. Besides, the=
=20
role I play in this show is far from leading and, in the spirit of full =20
disclosure, I=E2=80=99m also doubling as a dancing piece of enchanted cutler=
y. It doesn=E2=80=99
t get more humbling than that.=20
What makes the production of this show particularly unique and worthy of=20
examination is that much of this huge cast is returning from last year,=20
including most of the principal players=E2=80=94the Beast, Belle, Gaston, L=
umiere, Cogsworth=20
and Lefou. They all come with muscle-memory intact and, from day-one, are=20
intimately familiar with the precise staging, elaborate choreography and=20
complicated harmonies. They come with a collective history, earned through=20=
the=20
investment of weeks of arduously learning and mastering this material and s=
haring=20
its performance in front of sold-out audiences. They come with battle=20
scars, in-jokes, and fully formed relationships. The new cast members are=
=20
absolutely clueless and already behind. =20
Rehearsals began several weeks ago with musical director Larry Goodpaster=20
teaching the songs and choreographer Mart=C3=ADn C=C3=A9spedes going over t=
he dance steps=20
for the ensemble. Both unknowingly instruct through a secret, short-hand=20
language grounded in last year=E2=80=99s experiences=E2=80=94the =E2=80=9CCo=
urtney vocal transition=E2=80=9D=20
and =E2=80=9Cthe part when the lights fade and the orchestra fills=E2=80=
=9D=E2=80=94and, seeing many=20
heads nodding in recognition, proceed at breakneck speed. The rookies are=20
all qualified and talented performers and, with intense concentration and=20
cryptic notes quickly written in margins of lyrics, manage to pick up the=20
material without missing a beat. =20
It does not take long before an interesting thing starts to happen. A kind=20
of creative convergence takes place. As if by intuition, veterans begin=20
coaching newbies to help refine movements, timing and pronunciation. Storie=
s are=20
retold and, this time, explained. Performance experiences are shared. =20
Comparisons are made between those no longer with the cast and the folks th=
at=20
have come aboard, and newfound strengths are recognized. The company begin=
s to=20
merge into a communal and collegial whole.=20
Sensing this, director Fred Sternfeld makes an informed decision that=20
changes the direction of future rehearsals. He realizes that an encore pr=
oduction=20
does not mean an identical production. At his disposal is a troupe of =20
experienced players ready for a challenge and a capable core of eager newco=
mers. =20
He begins to tweak things. Plans are put into place to upgrade special=20
effects, costuming and props. The unique skills of new performers and the=20
wherewithal of the returning cast are worked into the production, resulting=20=
in=20
different interpretations of dialogue, modifications in staging, and new =20
choreography. All of a sudden, everyone is learning new material and fond=20
reminiscences of what transpired a year ago become less relevant and surfac=
e less=20
frequently. New memories are being made and a new production is in the wo=
rks. =20
Next week: Zen and The Art of Dancing Dinnerware.=20
. =20
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<DIV><FONT lang=3D0 face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F"=20
PTSIZE=3D"12"><STRONG>Bob Abelman, who is playing Maurice in Beck Center's=20
production of Disney's <EM><A=20
href=3D"http://www.fredsternfeld.com/beautyandthebeastencore06.htm">Beauty a=
nd the=20
Beast</A></EM>, is also a journalist with the Chagrin Valley Times. Be=
low=20
is the first in a series of articles he has written that have been published=
in=20
the Chagrin Valley Times to provide an inside look at the=20
production.</STRONG></FONT></DIV><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
<DIV><BR><BR><FONT size=3D4>Up Close and Personal With the Beast</FONT></DIV=
>
<DIV>by Bob Abelman, Chagrin Valley Times</SPAN></B></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Starting this week and for the=
next=20
few weeks I will be unable to offer reviews of local area theatre.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No, there=E2=80=99s nothing wrong.=
<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>On the contrary. I am performing i=
n the=20
encore production of Disney=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CBeauty and the Beast=E2=80=
=9D at the Beck Center for the=20
Arts in Lakewood.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During the=20
December-long run of the show, Friday and Saturday nights are otherwise=20
occupied.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What will appear in this colum=
n will=20
be a series of backstage commentaries about the intricacies of putting on th=
is=20
huge, professional ensemble musical. This theatrical travelogue of sorts wil=
l=20
provide a rare, full access peek behind closed stage doors and reveal the=20
incredible energy and coordination that goes into a seemingly effortless=20
production of this magnitude. Yes, this column goes investigative.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Herb Hammer will continue to cover=
the=20
beat so no show will be left behind.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
=20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Articles written in the first-=
person=20
can be awfully self-aggrandizing, but I plan on being nothing more than a fl=
y on=20
the proscenium arch.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Besides,=
the=20
role I play in this show is far from leading and, in the spirit of full=20
disclosure, I=E2=80=99m also doubling as a dancing piece of enchanted cutler=
y.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It doesn=E2=80=99t get more humbli=
ng than=20
that.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What makes the production of t=
his=20
show particularly unique and worthy of examination is that much of this huge=
=20
cast is returning from last year, including most of the principal players=
=E2=80=94the=20
Beast, Belle, Gaston, Lumiere, Cogsworth and Lefou.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They all come with muscle-memory i=
ntact=20
and, from day-one, are intimately familiar with the precise staging, elabora=
te=20
choreography and complicated harmonies.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nb=
sp;=20
</SPAN>They come with a collective history, earned through the investment of=
=20
weeks of arduously learning and mastering this material and sharing its=20
performance in front of sold-out audiences.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They come with battle scars, in-jo=
kes,=20
and fully formed relationships.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SP=
AN>The=20
new cast members are absolutely clueless and already behind.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Rehearsals began several weeks=
ago=20
with musical director Larry Goodpaster teaching the songs and choreographer=20
Mart=C3=ADn C=C3=A9spedes going over the dance steps for the ensemble. <SPAN=
=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Both unknowingly instruct through a=
=20
secret, short-hand language grounded in last year=E2=80=99s experiences=E2=
=80=94the =E2=80=9CCourtney=20
vocal transition=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cthe part when the lights fade and the=
orchestra=20
fills=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94and, seeing many heads nodding in recognition, procee=
d at breakneck=20
speed.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The rookies are all=20
qualified and talented performers and, with intense concentration and crypti=
c=20
notes quickly written in margins of lyrics, manage to pick up the material=20
without missing a beat.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=
=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It does not take long before a=
n=20
interesting thing starts to happen. A kind of creative convergence takes=20
place.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As if by intuition, ve=
terans=20
begin coaching newbies to help refine movements, timing and pronunciation.<S=
PAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Stories are retold and, this time,=
=20
explained.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Performance experi=
ences=20
are shared.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Comparisons are m=
ade=20
between those no longer with the cast and the folks that have come aboard, a=
nd=20
newfound strengths are recognized.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>The company begins to merge into a communal and collegial=20
whole.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Sensing this, director Fred=20
Sternfeld makes an informed decision that changes the direction of future=20
rehearsals.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He realizes that=20=
an=20
encore production does not mean an identical production.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At his disposal is a troupe of=20
experienced players ready for a challenge and a capable core of eager=20
newcomers.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He begins to tweak=
=20
things.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Plans are put into pl=
ace to=20
upgrade special effects, costuming and props.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The unique skills of new performer=
s and=20
the wherewithal of the returning cast are worked into the production, result=
ing=20
in different interpretations of dialogue, modifications in staging, and new=20
choreography.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All of a sudden=
,=20
everyone is learning new material and fond reminiscences of what transpired=20=
a=20
year ago become less relevant and surface less frequently. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>New memories are being made and a n=
ew=20
production is in the works.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>N=
ext=20
week:<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Zen and The Art of Danc=
ing=20
Dinnerware.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>
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