BWW Reviews: DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at PPAC

The brand-new touring production of the Broadway smash hit Beauty and the Beast has its roots in the 1991 animated feature of the same name. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman wrote the music for the film and the songs transfer easily to the stage. Menken and Tim Rice wrote additional songs for the Broadway production.

The plot keeps its roots firmly in the fairy tale. (Is this a spoiler alert? I am not sure that there is anyone reading BroadwayWorld who doesn't know the story). A petulant, unkind, prince is cursed for his bad behavior. He is transformed into an oversized monster. His servants, having culpability, are also cursed to slowly transform into ornate household items. In the village below, the bookish Belle is crudely courted by the buffoonish Gaston. Belle's eccentric, inventor, father gets lost in the woods and is captured by the Beast. Belle trades her own life for her father's. The Beauty and the Beast fall in love. The spell is broken and everyone lives happily ever after.

Visually, the production seems to have its roots in an earlier Disney animated feature: Fantasia. Even in the touring production, which is appropriately down-sized, bigger and brighter, it seems, is better. Every pattern and prop is huge, every hue, electric. The design team has a certain death-hold dedication to the color yellow. The costumes; individually, without exception, are a wonder. They instantly transmit the moral pinning of each character.

The production numbers are full-throttle joy fests of populist camp. "Gaston" has some clever almost Fosse-like movement. "Be Our Guest", which takes place as the servants realize that there is a chance the curse will be broken, is jaw-dropping and, in any other show, would close Act One.

Liz Shivener and Justin Glaser are perfectly matched as Belle and Beast. Both of these performer can really act, as well as sing beautifully.

Nathaniel Hackman has the good sense to let go and enjoy himself in the role of the Macy's Day Parade balloon-version of Gaston. As Lefou, Michael Fatica is a gifted clown and adds a bit of tenderness to his character's un-requited crush on Gaston.

As a foursome, Sabina Petra as Mrs. Potts, Merritt David Janes as Lumiere and Keith Kirkwood as Cogsworth and Jen Bechter as Madame de la Grande Bouche are individually, and collectively charming. Each of these performers is able to take their turn in the spotlight and melt effortlessly back into their supporting role.

The show runs about two and one-half hours with intermission. I expected that the creative team would take the opportunity of the tour to significantly trim and tighten the show. This would be a perfect vehicle to work into a 90-minute, no-intermission, touring production. While proudly showing off everything they are capable of creating and bringing to the stage, the team has left nothing out, which often leads to a un-even flow of drama, comedy and music.

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Disney's Beauty and the Beast run through February 14, 2010 at Providence Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $36 - $63 and are available at the Box Office, located at 220 Weybosset St. in Providence, RI, by phone at (401) 421-ARTS or online at www.ppacri.org.

Justin Glaser as Beast and Liz Shivener as Belle. Photo by Peter Coombs

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