The classic French fairytale "La Belle et Le Bette" is well known, having been adapted as an animation in 1991, a successful Broadway show, and most recently a major motion picture starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. But nothing brings a fairytale to life like watching it unfold live on stage, and Theatre By the Sea's barn-turned-theater proves to be the perfect, intimate space to do so.
Philip Bryan is the Beast, a prince who as a boy cast an old crone out of his house only to discover too late that she was actually a beautiful enchantress. As punishment, she turns the boy into the Beast, a spell that can only be broken by finding love, for which he waits for ten years before meeting Belle. Bryan brings humanity to the Beast, making him shy and lonely, and giving him childlike qualities when he interacts with Belle.
Lauren Weinberg is beautiful, book-loving Belle, who's so kind hearted that she trades places with her imprisoned father so that he may go free. Weinberg's Belle is not naive or demure, holding her own against the town brute Gaston and her captor the Beast.
All of the Beast's household are also under the enchantress's spell which is slowly turning them into objects, but the servants remain faithful out of fear of and responsible for their master. Josh Houghton's Lumiere is sure to delight audiences during "Be Our Guest," while Jeffrey Johnson II's Cogsworth is fussy but sweet. Ellen Peterson, who audiences may remember from her performances in Theatre By the Sea's Sister Act, is lovely as Mrs. Potts, while Reid Taylor charms audiences as her son, Chip.
Josh Houghton as Lumiere, Melissa Jones as Babette, Jeffrey Johnson II as Cogsworth, Stacey Geer as Madame de la Grande Bouche, Ellen Peterson as Mrs. Potts, and Reid Taylor as Chip
Wayne Hu and Josh Walker are wonderful as Gaston and Lefou. Hu's Gaston is the perfect combination of reprehensible and charming, while Walker's lighthearted Lefou is instantly likable. The slapstick between the two is quite funny, and brings levity to what would otherwise be just another dastardly duo.
Audiences surely have much to thank for Diane Lauren's choreography of the little moments of slapstick and the fan-favorite big company numbers like "Gaston." Particularly of note is Matthew Pashley-Roland's dance as the carpet during "Be Our Guest."
Company performing "Be Our Guest"
Beauty and the Beast will be playing Tuesdays through Sundays through August 12th; show times vary. Tickets are $46 to $72 and can be purchased in person or by phone at the box office (401-782-8587), or by visiting their website.
Photos by Steven Richardson Photography
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