Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at The Growing Stage is Magical

There's magic happening at The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey. An enchanting, full-scale production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Broadway Musical is being performed through Sunday, October 29. Directed by the theatre's Founder and Executive Director, Stephen L. Fredericks, with choreography by Jillian Petrie and musical direction by Stephen Fox, this New Jersey professional premiere is everything you want it to be. It features a top-notch cast, stunning costuming, and inventive staging. It is ideal for for theatergoers of all ages. We suggest you get your tickets now for this ever-pleasing show.

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, Beauty and the Beast has become an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries. The show features music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton. It was originally directed by Robert Jess Roth and produced by Disney Theatricals Productions.

The show tells the classic story of Belle, a beautiful young woman that lives with her father in a very provincial town and of the Beast, a young prince who has been trapped by an enchantress' spell. To make matters worse, his loyal servants that include Mrs. Potts and Lumiere have been transformed into household objects. But if the Beast can learn to love another and be loved in return, the curse will end. The story becomes tense when Gaston, who has been pursuing Belle as a suitor, convinces the townspeople that the Beast is dangerous and should be destroyed. Romance, humor, adventure and excitement are all elements in this fabulous production.

Beauty and the Beast showcases the remarkable talents of six professional performers. Leading the cast are Emily Cara Portune as Belle; Jason Pumarada as Prince/Beast; Jenna Morris as Mrs. Potts; Davis Cameron Lemley as Lumiere; Donald Danford as LeFou. Making his Growing Stage debut is Ryan Slone as Gaston. These actors bring the vibrant characters to life right before your eyes. Rounding out the troupe are twenty-three performers from all across the tri-state area.

The musical score of Beauty and the Beast is performed to perfection with stirring songs like Something There, and Beauty and the Beast along with thrilling song and dance numbers by the entire company including Belle, Gaston, and Be Our Guest.

The Production Staff has done a superb job of bringing Beauty and the Beast to the stage with scenic, puppet and mask design by Perry Arthur Kroeger; Costume Coordinator, Lori Lawrence; costumes provided by Scaramouche LLC; Stage Manager, Nikole Rizzo; Assistant Stage Manager, Casey Low; Light Board Operator, Ally Takayama; Spotlight Operator, Linnea Weston.

Don't miss The Growing Stages's wonderful production of Beauty and the Beast, a timeless classic for the whole family.

Beauty and the Beast, The Broadway Musical will be performed through Sunday, October 29th at The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey. The theatre is located at 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857. The run time is two and a half hours with one intermission. The shows are on Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.growingstage.com/ or call (973) 347-4946. Group rates and Season Ticket Packages are still available.

Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia

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