Review: Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Florida Gateway College

The history of Beauty and the Beast goes back hundreds of years, to a French fairy tale published in 1740. Although the story of Belle, her imprisonment in the Beast's castle, a spell that threatens to permanently steal the humanity from the castle's servants, and the story's well-known ending has evolved over the years, it inevitably can be pared down to people being true to themselves and the consequences of choosing a self-serving path.

In the Florida Gateway College Entertainment Series production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the Broadway Musical, a sold-out crowd at the final performance was swept up in the passion of a group of performers who told their story beautifully and convincingly.

Highlights of the show:

Caitlin Hester (Belle) stood out vocally, and struck the perfect balance between vulnerability and strength. (Note: Hester was also the show's choreographer.)

Jackson Helms (Gaston) also display strong vocals. As Gaston, Helms overplayed his part perfectly - he played it broadly, humorously, seemingly oblivious to his ridiculous self-absorption. As Lefou, Devin Huchingson was the perfect sprightly, loyal companion.

Taylor Thompson (Mrs. Potts) shone during the iconic "Beauty and the Beast" song.

A'Shadrian Clayton (Madame de la Grande Bouche) was a true scene-stealer as the vanity, vocally and dramatically. The show wouldn't have been the same without her.

The Cogsworth/Lumiere duo (played by Joey O'Hern and Ryan Perez, respectively) had a great chemistry as a pair but each actor also brought a unique tone to his role.

Mike Yarick as the Beast brought a touching poignancy to "A Change in Me."

As production numbers go, I was most energized by the Village Dance Scene. Its effusive energy filled the stage and inspired us as the audience.

The Be Our Guest production number is supposed to be a spectacle, transporting us as audience members to a dining room alive with growing hope and encouraging us to suspend reality as we are transfixed by plates that sing. This number hit about 95% of the goal; the incorporation of gymnastics was fun; the costuming was on point, and the ending (along with a special treat for the audience) was creatively imagined. I would suspend reality to eat dinner in the room portrayed by the number.

Some productions present the Beast's library in a two-dimensional way; this show created it with a small but modest library incorporating real books. It worked for this setting; the Beast's musings that books could transport him away from who he is strikes me as one of the most pivotal lines of this play, echoing Belle's escapism from her village and, in a theatrical setting, giving a shout out to the power of reading.

The use of the aisle for Belle's grand entrance toward the end of the show was effective and kept us as audience members on the edges of our seats as we looked forward to seeing her join the Beast.

The way the final interaction between Gaston and the Beast was portrayed was convincing.

Early in the play, Maurice, played by Duane Archer who demonstrated fatherly love for Belle and a deep range of emotions throughout the show, told Belle, "You're the crème de la crème --- remain exactly as you are."

That would be my advice to the director, cast and crew of this show too. You were the crème de la crème. Thanks for sharing it so passionately with your audiences.

Photo Credit: Josh Blackmon

Note: This production took place in Lake City, FL.

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