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Beauty and the Beast by Moonlight Stage Productions  Disney’s version of the tale as old as time is seeing its
first local professional production with Moonlight’s highly anticipated show,
and enchantment is in the nighttime air at Moonlight’s beautiful amphitheatre
in Vista. David Brannen both directs and choreographs the show with
humor, romance, a little bit of drama, and a lot of magic. His entertaining
choreography includes a playfully amusing marriage proposal that the Beauty
doesn’t want to hear, some rarely seen synchronized beer stein-striking in a
lively tavern scene, and the huge Be Our Guest dinner celebration in the
castle that includes everything from spinning and prancing plates to some
Can-Can dancing napkins to Russian dancing salt-and-pepper shakers, all
performed by an ensemble of magnificent dancers.
The cast is headed by Jennifer Shelton as the beautiful bookworm who feels out of place in the small, provincial French town, her only friend being her eccentric inventor father (Antonio “T.J.” Johnson). But when her father disappears in the woods, she heads out to find him and discovers the enchanted castle ruled over by a hideous Beast (Robert Townsend) – a prince who has been transformed for being cruel and selfish to a disguised enchantress. The only way for the curse on the castle and its household to be broken is for the Beast to learn how to love, and to gain the love of another in return. But who could ever love a Beast? Both Jennifer Shelton and Robert Townsend add delightful character and charm to their roles, their efforts resulting in an amusing and heartwarming romance. Jennifer also delivers a lovely rendition of her solo Home, while Robert’s smooth, deep vocals are perfect for the Beast, ending the first act with his powerful If I Can’t Love Her ballad. He also works effectively in the large beastly costume, and transforms well from his dark and cruel entrance, to his awkward attempts to change his personality, to his giddiness at entering his first romance. Meanwhile, Randall Dodge leads the comedy as the outrageously arrogant and chauvinistic Gaston – a handsome and brawny hunter extraordinaire who is the true beast of the story. He is joined by little sidekick Lefou hilariously portrayed by Omri Schein in a manner very reminiscent of the film, the two dastardly bad guys making for an amusingly devilish duo.
Performs through July 9, 2005.
~ Cast ~
 Beast: Robert TownsendEnchantress: Athena Espinoza Belle: Jennifer Shelton Baker: Eric Vest Bookseller: Stephen Knoll-Gentry Gaston: Randall Dodge Lefou: Omri Schein Three Silly Girls: Jamie Lynn Hebert Marianne Nevitt Leslie Tammone Maurice: Antonio "T.J." Johnson Cogsworth: Kurt Norby Lumiere: Frank Romeo Babette: Athena Espinoza Mrs. Potts: Lisa Dyson Chip: Jamen Nanthakumar Madame de la Grande Bouche: Shawna M. Hamic Monsieur D'Arque: John Nettles Townspeople, Enchanted Objects: Tom Brault Bebe Brodie Lauren Campbell Joaquin Gamboa Katherine Gorham Jacob Haren Jarvis Haren Juston Harlin Benjamin Hart Jamie Lynn Hebert Lizette Kenty Stephen Knoll-Gentry Katharine Larsen Steve Limones David Marchesano Chris J. Martin Jayson L. Mendoza John Nettles Marianne Nevitt Kristien Lee Olson Lauren Petzke Ruben Renteria Karen Schooley Olivia Schulenburg Leslie Tammone Eric Vest Sarah Vincelett Director/Choreographer: David Brannen Lighting Design: Eric Lotze Costume Coordination: Roslyn Lehman and Carlotta Malone Sound Design: Peter Hashagen Stage Manager: Stanley D. Cohen Orchestra Conductor/Musical Director: Elan McMahan |
And the enchanted castle is packed full of fine
performances, with physical and vocal comedian Frank Romeo lighting the
way as the charismatic candelabra Lumiere. Kurt Norby is terrific as
Lumiere’s straight man, the proper English clock Cogsworth. They are joined by Lisa
Dyson as the motherly Mrs. Potts who sings the title song, Athena
Espinoza as the sexy and flirtatious feather duster Babette, Shawna M.
Hamic as a very whimsical wardrobe, and Jamen Nanthakumar as a cute
little cup named Chip. While the ensemble of enchanted objects make the Be
Our Guest and Human Again scenes truly magical.