Revew: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

 Theatre Review by Mark Andrew Lawrence, Front Row Centre

 Disney's Beauty and the Beast arrived on Broadway in 1994 marking the film company's first foray into live theatre production. It was an elaborate spectacle, and in reviewing the show when it first opened, I commented that it would be beyond the scope of community theatre groups.

 I am happy to report that Curtain Call Players have proven me wrong.

 Artistic Director Keith O'Connell has assembled a cast and crew that create theatrical magic. He has staged the complex production simply and effectively by focussing on story and character development rather than spectacle.

 The leading performers are especially effective in this respect, starting with Chris Daniel's portrayal of The Beast.  Daniel humanizes him a little, making his outbursts more childish and less menacing which works well in the smaller confines of Fairview Library Theatre. 

 Andrea Pappalardo, as the winsome Belle has a natural charm and stage presence that makes the character's motivations at all times believable. Ted Ambrose as the narcissistic Gaston plays the role with the proper egotism and sings in a strong robust voice.  His sidekick, Lefou is given a crowd-pleasingly acrobatic performance by Doug Millar.

 In the enchanted castle we meet a crowd of singing plates and utensils overseen by Avi Mani in a wonderfully comic turn as Cogsworth, the prissy head butler being turned into a clock.  He holds his own against two scene-stealers: The candelabra Lumiere with Stave Nadon lighting up the stage, and his saucy feather duster mistress Babette played with a coquettish sparkle by the always delightful Ngaio Potts.

 Deb Kritzer plays the teapot, Mrs. Potts, with grandmotherly charm. Her rendition of the title song was effectively presented with her observing the main characters upstage but this required her to be projecting away from the audiences and her voice tended to get lost against the orchestra.

 Some of the supporting players could use stronger projection and an energy boost particularly in the opening number, "Belle." They certainly had it by the time we got to the livelier ensemble number, "Gaston," and "Be Our Guest" had all the requisite pizzazz.  M.J. Johnson did an outstanding job of ensuring the musical underscoring was effective and that the musical values were well taken care of.

 Best of all the amazing sets and costumes designed by Curtain Call Players members are far above the level usually found in community productions. This added to the magic already created by Linda Wolverton's book and the familiar score by Alan Menken, Tim Rice and Howard Ashman.

 It will be interesting to see how other community groups tackle this show, but Keith O'Connell and company have already set the bar very high.

 

Curtain Call Players present Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Drive, until Saturday April 7.  Evening performances are Thursdays thru Saturday at 8 PM with a 2 PM matinee on Saturday. Tickets are available by calling  (416) 703-6181.

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