Beauty and the Beast
magically opens Broadway Series
Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre
Danyelle Bossardet (Belle) and Grant Norman (Beast) star in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Community Center Theater through Oct. 8. Photo by Joan Marcus
    BEAUTY AND THE BEAST finally made its way to Sacramento after opening on Broadway in April of 1994. The long wait was worth it, as all the magic Disney can muster is evident in this production.

    As most everyone knows, this musical is based on the 1991 animated Disney film which featured great music and lyrics by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman. Menken and Tim Rice teamed to add six of seven new songs were for the Broadway production and the BEAST took on a new life which has endured into the new millennium.

    The magic that only Disney can produce has transformed itself well from the animated silver screen to the stage. If cartoon characters can come to life, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST proves it - from the lovely Belle to the loutish Gaston to the roaring Beast.

    Danyelle Bossardet takes the role of Belle in this, the Third National Touring Company of the production. It's also her third time as Belle and she fills the role grandly. Grant norman, a Broadway veteran with roles in MISS SAIGON and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA becomes the Beast and is also wonderful in the role.

The Cast of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (partial)
 Enchantress - Tracy Generalovich  Young Prince - Gerard McIsaac  Beast - Grant Norman
 Belle - Danyelle Bossardet  Bookseller - Billy Vitelli  Lefou - Brad Aspel
 Gaston - Edward Staudenmayer  Maurice - Ron Lee Savin  Cogsworth - Ron Bagden
 Lumiere - Jay Russell  Babette - Louisa Kendrick  Mrs. Potts - Janet Macewen

    What really makes this production so amazing (besides the wonderful music) are the fabulous sets and grandious production numbers. While most of the action takes place in the palace of the Beast (the most elaborate set of the production), other fabulous looking sets include the tavern and Belle's house. And just when you think things start to get a little slow, up comes a big production number which is nothing short of dazzling.

    The first of these opens the show with "Belle," which takes place in the town setting. "Gaston" is the next big number, as Gaston (Edward Staudenmayer), Lefou (Brad Aspel), The Silly Girls (Ivy Fox, Amber Stone and Tia Marie Zorne) and Tavern Patrons sing about the virtues (or lack of) of Gaston.

    Perhaps the audience favorite during the night, however, was "Be Our Guest," which involved singing and dancing silverware and plates, Lumiere (Jay Russell), Mrs. Potts (Janet MacEwen) and a host of others. It ended up with firework spouting champagne bottles, much to the delight of the crowd.

    Of course, not to be left out, are all the favorites from the movie and new songs - "No Matter What," "Home," "Something There," "Human Again," "Beauty and the Beast," and many more.

    It's not exactly a secret how this production ends - utilizing one of the best effects of the show - as Belle professes her love to the dying Beast, he is raised right before your eyes and begins spinning in mid-air. Belle's love has broken the spell and the Beast is transformed into the Prince again and they live happily ever after. This effect was designed by Jim Steinmeyer, a noted illusion designer for many magicians, including David Copperfield.

    If you are in the mood for almost two and a half hours of magical entertainment, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST plays at the Community Center Theater through October 8. Tickets range in price from $10 to $65 depending on date of performance and seat location. For information, call the Community Center Theater box office at 264-5181 or the Wells Fargo Pavillion box office at 557-1999.
BEASTLY FACTS
  • Lumiere's hands are made of flame proof plastic surrounding a flame device that uses one ounce of liquid butane per hand per show.
  • BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has been seen by over 15 million people worldwide.
  • There are an estimated 5.6 miles of lighting cable in the show and about 318,750 watts of electricity are used to light the show.
  • The Enchantresses' Fireball is the first known throwable hand-held device of its kind and it was a year and a half in development. She can hold the ball of fire in her hand until it burns out without any physical damage.
  • The Beast's tail is made up of seven yards of human hair. It took 20 pounds of human hair and 400 man hours to create the first Beast.
  • Costume designer Ann Hould-Ward won a Tony Award for the costumes she designed for Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
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