For this last day in 2017 I treated myself to a People’s Theatre (YPT) Production of Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical. Watching this well-known story amongst the chattering of young people (otherwise known as children) did give me a fresh perspective on this “tale as old as time”–which is precisely what YPT’s production directed to do.
This creation cut Disney Theatrical’s Beauty and the Beast down to 85 minutes and moved it to a much smaller stage. I do not read any planned program notes until when i see a show, however in this case I am glad I read Artistic Director Allen MacInnis’s preface to this “chamber sized” production.
It allowed me to concentrate on the story underneath all the spectacle: love and true acceptance between two outcasts, Beauty and the Beast. I have already been fantasizing of the live staging of Beauty and the Beast since I used to be four years old. Yr And in the past, I have viewed both the animated 90’s version and live action 2017 movie many times–so switching that off to focus on a smaller retelling of the story didn’t come normally.
Then again, it didn’t for the other young audience members either. I counted three different girls wearing tiaras and the yellowish Belle ballgown from the Disney movies. In the post show Q&A, the solid was quick to remind the children–and me–that they made Belle’s dress pink instead of yellow on purpose.
Without quite as much spectacle, MacInnis’s creation asked the audience to instead go through the characters and how they decided to change. ONCE I stopped comparing the look, scenes, and tunes to the movies and looked at Beauty and the Beast through my young companions’ eyes, I came across much to inspire.
As much as I love concentrating on Belle–an independent girl who adores reading and bravely fights for herself and her loved ones–I felt the Beast’s growth in this creation. Lumiere (Damien Atkins), Cogsworth (Andrew Prashad), and Mrs. Potts (Susan Henley) simply tell him to be a true gentleman to Belle and also to keep his temper in check before “Be Our Guest” in every production.
Here we saw the Beast try to apologize for his poor behavior by bringing supper to Belle’s room. He made an appearance scary or especially gross never, but instead like a lost creature unsure and ashamed of how to atone for his mistakes. Belle grows by testing the strength she knew she had always, however the Beast grows even more when he confronts all his vulnerabilities and anxieties to protect and love her. Though the remaining cast were not center stage always, everyone on stage (and off) brought the world of the play alive.
Their wolves (Dale R. Miller and Joel Schaefer) sent a chill down my spine–and so did the singing voice of Madame de la Grande Bouche (Zorana Sadiq) as she provided different dresses to Belle. And lastly, the magic of viewing and discussing live theatre with teenagers shouldn’t be under-rated then.
- 3 cups of water
- When possible, allow area get some good air-preferably dry, cool air
- Presenter Guide
- Gold Glitter Eyes
I understood how all the on-stage magic occurred, from the fight choreography to the lighting changes, because I have already been making theater for over 10 years. But as hands went up around me to ask about how the set items moved around and if the Beast really got harm by the end, I understood that their perspectives are important. To them, both reveal and the explanations are magic. Hearing them learn reminded me to understand this type of magic, too. I purchased my ticket at full price. Row E seat 4 in the orchestra/main stage.
So I took her advice and essentially duplicate and pasted it as a position and that was it. From then on happened I believe I had a panic attack almost. I was so worried about people not coming to me any longer because I was too expensive and all this. But what it showed me was that some individuals used me while I was cheap just. I don’t believe my skills had improved much in this time frame so when my ‘regulars’ bar Debbie, ceased coming I just really sensed hurt.