[NEohioPAL] Beuty and The Beast Review

[dkerp615 at aol.com]

Easy Street show turns out to be a real 'Beauty'
Published: Sun, Sep 30, 2007 
The rented sets added to the quality of the show. 

By GUY D'ASTOLFO 

VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRIER 

YOUNGSTOWN — With its wondrous sets and costumes, dazzling choreography and talented leads, Easy Street Productions' "Beauty and the Beast" is impressive. 

In fact, the popular Disney musical, which opened Friday night at Powers Auditorium, seemed right at home in the spacious and imposing hall. 

"Beauty" is the first in a series by Easy Street that is replacing the Broadway Series that was canceled after last season due to poor attendance. The touring companies were very good, but they were money losers at Powers. 

Easy Street seems to have found the right formula. The quality of its "Beauty" is on par with the touring shows, and the opening night house was packed. The only empty seats were in the upper reaches of the balcony. 

Friday night's audience, which included hundreds of little princesses, stood in appreciation of the rousing show, which — aside from sporadic mike-volume glitches — went off flawlessly. 

The musical revolves around a prince who is turned into a beast because of his selfishness. As the spell dictates, in order to become human again he must learn to love and be loved before an enchanted rose loses its petals. 

The sets 

The extraordinary rented sets helped bring the fairy tale to life — especially the castle, which had the detail of an elaborate dollhouse. Two-tiered and multi-faceted, the castle could be rotated 360 degrees to reveal all of its rooms. It was like watching a split-screen TV at times, with characters interacting in different parts of the castle, unaware of each other. The creation swallowed up the whole stage and was a source of awe and delight. 

The beautiful Elysia Shutrump gave a knockout performance as Belle. She's the beauty who becomes imprisoned by the Beast, played by James McClellan. Both Shutrump and McClellan sing with clarity and emotion throughout all ranges. 

Many members of the cast were outstanding, including Todd Hancock, who played Lumiere, the candlestick come-to-life, with a comical French leer. Hancock is also the director. 

Other performances 

Kyle Snyder was another gem of casting as the bounding and vain he-man Gaston. He dominated many scenes. 

Exceptional performances were also turned in by Maureen Collins, who poured everything into the role of Mrs. Potts, the tea pot; Amanda Beagle as the bubbly Babette; Colleen Crish as Madame Grande LeBouche (in a whimsical furniture outfit); David Jendre as Cogsworth the self-important clock; Patrick Burgan as LeFou (Gaston's punching bag of a sidekick); and 10-year-old Jarrett Kerpsack as Chip, the tea cup. 

Again, costumes for all of these roles lived up to their counterparts in the animated Disney movie — a fact not lost on the many children in the audience. 

"Beauty" appeals to all ages, but that's not the only reason it became a Broadway smash: It also has a batch of memorable songs. Those songs were presented in superbly choreographed scenes — especially the barroom scene for "Gaston " with its coordinated mug-clinking and as many as three dozen singers and dancers on stage at the same time. The sharp execution was a highlight. 

A 10-piece orchestra, with musical director Jeff Sanders conducting, did a fine job handling the well-known score, which many of the little ones in the audience had likely heard many times. 

"Beauty and the Beast" will be presented at Powers Auditorium, downtown Youngstown, at 2:30 p.m. today and Oct. 7, and 8 p.m. Oct. 5. For tickets, call (330) 744-0264.

©  2007 Vindy.com All Rights Reserved.

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