YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
One enduring tale is that of a beautiful girl, a forlorn beast of a man and the trials they encounter on the path to – what else? – true love.
The characters in “Beauty and the Beast” might easily fall into the realm of cliché, but with every recent retelling – most notably the Disney animated feature of 1991 – they continue to seem more like archetypes than hackneyed write-offs.
Belle is a beauty who is also an outsider. She dares to have a mind as well as a body!
Gaston is male self-infatuation incarnate.
Belle’s father, Maurice, is a brilliant but befuddled idiot savant.
And the Beast is a character any introspective male will immediately recognize. He’s hideous on the outside but has a soul that stretches deep. Admit it fellows, that’s how we all see ourselves.
Unless, of course, we’re “Gastonian.” Then we honestly believe we are worthy of praise from others that is equal to that which we bestow upon ourselves. As pointed out in “Beauty and the Beast,” no one can even spit as well as Gaston.
Springfield Little Theater mainstay and SLT artistic director Beth Domann has topped herself with this production.
Her direction of “The Wizard of Oz” broke new ground at SLT.
“Beauty and the Beast” does so as well.
While not as flashy as “Oz,” “Beauty and the Beast” brings an air of subtle sophistication to The Landers. It’s another small reminder that the arts in Springfield are continuing to evolve.
The cast of the production is huge, the set design is rich, and the speed of the many scene changes is a welcome relief from the all-too-familiar pace that beleaguers most small companies. It’s a class act all around.
In the title role of “Beauty” is Brie Cassil, whose vocal prowess is a standout in the show. Her voice is compelling and has the strength needed to grab and hold an audience.
Derrick Devone King, as “the Beast,” moves with grace and confidence, but his vocal abilities are somewhat secondary to his physical command of the stage. One also wonders why, when “Beast” turns back into “Prince,” King is replaced by actor Nathaniel Deniz.
In Act 1, the musical showstopper is “Be Our Guest,” which features the entire cast. In the second act, it’s the poignant title tune that seizes the moment.
Jeff Jenkins as Cogsworth, Adam Smith as Lumiere and Jennifer Christine Armstrong as Madame de la Grand Bouche come and go throughout the play. They serve to anchor the narrative between the musical numbers and hold the action together.
Tara Lewis as Babette brings a bit of bawdiness as she shakes her booty-ness and Eli Simon as the boy/teacup Chip makes the crowd go “Ahhh.”
It’s the enchanted teapot, Mrs. Potts, who does the most to hold the tale together. Her insight into the entire affair is the most relevant. Sandy Skoglund-Young plays Mrs. Potts with the deft yet daring demeanor the character demands.
Director Domann has taken her source material (Disney tends to be somewhat fussy about its intellectual property) and crafted a fine piece of work.
It obviously meets with the Disney company’s approval.
Kudos also go to the rest of the artistic directors: choreographer Lorianne Dunn, musical director Cynthia Lawrence, costume designer Connie Dunn (the outfits are stunning), scenic artist Brad Barnerd, set designer Chuck Rogers, lighting designer Jamie Bowler and illusion designer Richard Hill.
Live theater continues to grow in Springfield, and productions such as “Beauty and the Beast” surely will help attract an audience.
It’s a work that has something to offer young and old alike, and while it is a “tale as old as time,” it somehow manages to remain fresh.
Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.
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