Review Roundup: Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Int'l Tour Premieres in Asia

Plays Bangkok's Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre (February 24 to March 15) and Singapore's Marina Bay Sands (March 21 to April 12)

Manila, Philippines--The first-ever international touring production of the Broadway hit musical Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," based on the 1991 Oscar-winning full-length animated feature film, and now--after 20 years--has reunited its original 1994 Broadway collaborators: director Robert Jess Roth, choreographer Matt West, scenic designer Stan Meyer, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward, lighting designer Natasha Katz, bookwriter Linda Woolverton, composer Alan Menken, and lyricists Tim Rice (and the late Howard Ashman), is currently playing at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) until Sunday, January 25.

This production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has also rejoined its recent U.S. Tour stars Darick Pead as the Beast and Hilary Maiberger as Belle.

Pead's theater credits include Dr. Teves in "Elephant Man," Freddy Benson in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," Aldolpho in "The Drowsy Chaperone," The Dentist in "Little Shop of Horrors," and Radames in Disney's "Aida."

Maiberger, on the other hand, has played Cinderella in "Cinderella," Jo March in "Little Women," Mistress in "Evita," June in "Anyone Can Whistle," Kate in "Titanic, The Musical," and Millworker in "Working."

Also in the cast are Hassan Nazari-Robati as Lumiere, the candlestick; James May as Cogsworth, the clock; Alan Dietlein as Gaston--and his sidekick, Lefou, played by Jordan Argagon; Emily Mattheson as Mrs. Potts; Paul Crane as Belle's father, Maurice; and Charlie Jones and William Poon as Mrs. Potts' son, Chip.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST tells the story of Belle, a young provincial lass, who meets the Beast, a young cold-hearted prince trapped in a spell made by an enchantress. If the Beast could learn how to genuinely love in a short span of time, the spell would end, and he'd be transformed to his former self.

Also set to tour Bangkok, Thailand, and Singapore, Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, Broadway Entertainment group FZ LLC and NETworks Presentations LLC, and promoted in Manila by Ovation Productions, officially opened last Saturday, January 10.

So let's hear what the critics had to say:

Trix Deseo, ClickTheCity.com: As part of the audience who cheered and jeered at the first day's curtain call, I'd say it's mostly because of great casting and on-point acting. The touring group casts the brunette and doe-eyed Hilary Maibeger as the smart and adventurous Belle. Sure, it helped her a lot that she looks so much like the animated version of the story's heroine. But what's striking is how the 28-year-old soprano sounds just like the original Belle, Paige O'Hara, whose voice is sweet and pristine enough to qualify as a Disney princess, but has an old-soul quality to it that distinguishes Belle from the rest. Also notable in his performance is Adam Dietlein, whose stance, stomps, shrugs, and powerhouse voice altogether recreated the insufferably conceited Gaston. He's got a great, albeit violent, chemistry with Jordan Aragon who plays his side-kick, fumbling and tumbling Lefou. Hip-swinging Hassan Nazari-Robatibrought to life the suave, debonair candelabra Lumiere. It's a delight every time he's on stage, replacing t's vidz's. His sexual innuendo though was a bit more pronounced compared to from what I can remember from the GP-rated film. It's not enough a reason though for kids to skip this. Emily Matthenson as Mrs. Potts warmed up the stage in her sweet rendition of theme song Beauty and the Beast. The always earnest boy, who plays Chip, was lauded in the end despite how little and limited his role was. The actors who played Maurice, Cogsworth, Babette (Fifi the Feather Duster), and Madame de la Grande Bouche (a nameless wardrobe in the movie) were good in their expanded parts.

Rachelle Siazon, Pep.Ph: It deserved no less than a standing ovation. As the cast sang the last few lines of the popular theme of Disney's Beauty and The Beast, Filipino theatergoers couldn't help but feel sentimental and wowed at the same time...

Opening with a hologram-like depiction of the enchantress who turned a self-centered prince into a beast, the Filipino audience were instantly captivated by this magical tale that values true love, inner beauty, and forgiveness.

The stage design alone brought to life the quaint little town where Belle and her eccentric father Maurice live in. From the storybook-type backdrop of green meadows, the library where Belle often borrows her beloved books, and the drinking well where villagers would often meet and gossip about the "odd" town beauty.

What further amazed Filipino theatergoers were the well-thought-of special effects and display of lights as it really brought out the magical theme of the show.

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBNNews.com: Notably, the Beast gets two solos to show his inner turmoil - "How Long Must This Go On?" and "If I Can't Love Her"--which are somehow reminiscent of "The Phantom of the Opera," while Belle sings "A Change In Me," to signal a break in their relationship after the Beast rescues her from the wolves.

These numbers provide the actors with additional songs to showcase their wondrous voices. Hilary Maiberger as Belle sings with such clarity with pure tones and seemingly effortless power, while Darick Pead as the Beast was able to elicit empathy for his character despite being buried in all that fur.

"Beauty and the Beast" marked Disney's initial foray to Broadway before it scored an artistic breakthrough with the stage puppetry of "The Lion King." Perhaps this explains why "Beauty and the Beast" really feels like a cartoon movie brought to life.

Consider Gaston, who is played by the audience-favorite Alan Dietlein as a living cartoon character, much like the ones who perform in Disney's theme parks. When he bullies his sidekick Lefou (Jordan Aragon), it comes complete with exaggerated sound effects as the diminutive actor falls or flips on stage like a spineless acrobat.

But at the same time it is this cartoon feel that makes "Beauty and the Beast" such an entertaining spectacle. Like the fireworks at Disneyland, it just leaves you awed. In the case of the show-stopping number "Be Our Guest," how can anyone not be swept up by the near non-stop parade of outlandish costumes and busy backdrops? Led by the nimble Hassan Nazari-Robati as the amorous candlestick Lumiere, hark back to the old-school Busby Berkely productions. The plates resemble the fan dancers, while the ending is a nod to the finale of "The Chorus Line" but with the popping of giant Champagne bottles.

For tickets to Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at CCP, visit ticketworld.com.ph.

For tickets in Bangkok, visit bectero.com; in Singapore, visit baseentertainment.com.

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