BWW Reviews: DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Bass Performance Hall

In 2010, NETworks Presentations, along with the original Broadway creative team, launched a redesigned touring stage production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I have now had the privilege of seeing three different casts in this particular version, in addition to seeing the production several times on Broadway, the (former) national tour, numerous regional theatre and high school productions, and, of course, the famous original cartoon. Also, as a performer/director/choreographer, I have played several different roles in various productions of the musical, and choreographed the show as well. Regardless of how well you know this show, this current production remains a classic and is enjoyable and entertaining.

If you are (somehow) unfamiliar with this classic story, Beauty and the Beast is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton. It is the story of a young prince who is put under a spell and transformed into a hideous beast. To break the spell, the Beast must learn to love, and must have that love returned. When he imprisons a spunky young woman named Belle, he (and his castle staff, who have been transformed into "enchanted objects" that represent their occupations) hopes that Belle will help them become human again.

This week, NETworks' newest cast of Beauty and the Beast arrived at Bass Performance Hall, where they'll delight families through Sunday, January 18th, 2015. The original Broadway director, choreographer, costumer and set designers have revisited the show, recreating a charming new production that can tour on NETworks' budget, which is not funded by money out of the secret Disney vault. Many tours (especially non-equity tours) are criticized for presenting poor carbon-copies of their New York counterparts. While this incarnation does not attempt to create the same magic made famous in the original Broadway production, it has a talented cast and several new tricks of its own (which I won't spoil in writing). Disney Theatricals and NETworks succeed here by allowing this tour to stand on its own enchanted legs.

Leading the cast are Jillian Butterfield and Ryan Everett Wood, as Belle and the Beast, respectively. Of the three Belles I've seen in this production, Ms. Butterfield is perhaps the strongest singer, dancer and actor I have seen in the role. With an impressive level of comfort onstage, she has incredible chemistry with everyone she interacts with. Although she could, perhaps, find more breath support on her eleven o'clock song, A Change in Me (a song added to the Broadway show in 1998 for Toni Braxton's voice), Ms. Butterfield is otherwise perfect. Extra kudos to her for her ability to keep up with the dancing ensemble, kicking to the ceiling during Be Our Guest. Mr. Wood is equally strong as the Beast. His beautiful baritone voice soars as he closes act one with If I Can't Love Her, and his boyish excitement once he (spoiler alert:) transforms back into the Prince is contagious. Mr. Wood, a Dallas native, is a unique choice for the Beast. In fact, he confessed in an interview that he auditioned for Cogsworth! Although he's at least a foot shorter than Gaston (and possibly two feet shorter than Patrick Pevehouse's Lumiere, who approaches seven feet tall in costume), Mr. Wood perfectly balances the Beast's temper with his occasional cartoon-style humor.

Other standouts in the show are Caitlin Humphreys as Wardrobe, whose comedic timing in the role made it impossible to believe she was the understudy; the adorable and talented Ross Nemeth as Chip, whose charm and sweet singing stole the show; Cameron Bond as Gaston, with his booming voice and impeccable timing; and Abigail Gatlin, Bonnie Kelly and Kaitlin Niewoehner as the hilarious Silly Girls, who scream and slip over Gaston's every move.

At the performance I attended, several sound effects and microphone cues were missed. Special credit especially goes to Jake Bridges (Lefou) and Emily Jewell (Mrs. Potts) for not letting this affect their strong performances. With the original Broadway directors and choreographer in town this week to support the cast (who have been perfecting their roles since September of last year), I predict that these minor technical hiccups have been corrected.

Beauty and the Beast is the perfect show to introduce young children to live theatre, and it seems to mesmerize grown-up kids as well (the young adult seated in front of me adorably squealed at every song, joke and character entrance). Whether you've seen Beauty and the Beast once, twice, or a few dozen times (as I have), NETworks' touring cast of this "tale as old as time" will not disappoint.

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