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Beauty and the Beast by Young Actors' Theatre 
Disney’s “tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme” is
beginning to arrive on our local stages, and thanks to East County’s Young
Actors’ Theatre, it’s off to a beautiful start!
The tale and songs take place in the intimate confines of the J. Isaac Pavilion – a converted bank building generously donated by Washington Mutual and named after the theatre group’s founder and director, Jean Isaac. With some inventive wizardry they do a remarkable job of bringing this big musical to their small stage. On that small stage is packed a surprising amount of talent beginning with the beautiful Belle herself. Sixteen-year-old Mia Wilson is one of San Diego’s most gifted young talents with a sublime voice that she uses like a masterfully for both sound quality and emotional quality, while her strong acting skills create a Belle that is independent, intelligent, and warm with a touch of humor. Opposite her is Joshua Cavanaugh as the moody Beast who slowly and clumsily learns to control his temper and feel affection, Joshua’s rich, deep voice delivering a moving If I Can’t Love Her to end the first act. And then there are all the great character roles! These are led by the outstanding work of natural comedian Nico Ramirez as Lumiere (the libidinous candelabrum). Nico lights up the stage throughout with his charisma, perfect timing, flair for festivities, teasing of Cogsworth the clock, and his romancing of the lovely and playful feather duster (the French maid played by Yaseman Pourhashemi) – a dangerous romance considering his flames that can burn her and her loose feathers that he coughs up after kissing her “hand.”
Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
 Belle: Mia WilsonBeast: Joshua Cavanaugh Mrs. Potts: Stephanie Hable Gaston: Emillo Ramirez Lefou: Mark Urich Maurice: Christ Smith Cogsworth: Lonnie Ramirez Lumier: Nico Ramirez Babette: Yaseman Pourhashemi Mademe de la Grande Bouch: Jessica Isaac Chip: Corey Hable Mademe Lockheart: Mollie Johnson Monsieur D'Arque: Alex Sanchez Gaston Girls: Autumn Durgan Shauni Gerner Courtney Luke Courtney Olinger Stephanie Parker Castle/Village Dancers: Bristyl Hartwell Megan Moller Claire Prokop Ariana Ramirez Emily Scott Susie Wittbrodt Village: Megan Archibald Luke Benning Jacob Gardenswartz Rachel Hansen Camille Lozano Emily Ober Alyssa Reinicke Lex Stout Daniel Wadham Laura Young Kyle Woodrow Castle/Tap: Emily Mathison Sarah Mathison Kelle Petree Alyssa Secord Castle: Caitlin Clark Sierra Goldstein Emily Greenblatt Maggie Holscher Julianna Marcon Cyanna Moody Chelsea Mullen Amy Oliverio Emily Romano Stephanie Schmidt Brittney Weichelt Cory Woodrow Kyle Woodrow Kara Zimmer Director: Jean Isaac Musical Director: Lori Hable Choreographer: Sarah Roberts Set & Lighting Designer: John Clark, Jr. Costume Designer: Patty Kirby and Ricky Allen Accompanist: Harriet Szafranski Audio Designer: Patrick Murray |
Nico is actually just one member of what must be the most
theatrically talented triplets around. His brother Lonnie is the
humorously proper Cogsworth, and the two naturally have great chemistry as they
argue and torment one another. The third member of the triplets is Emillo
Ramirez, here starring as the bad guy Gaston. His absurdly macho, vain, and
chauvinistic personality doesn’t do much for Belle, but it’s hilarious to watch
and certainly does the trick for the five “Gaston Girls” who are a riot
throughout as they scream, swoon, cry, dance, and fawn over their hunky hunter.
Combined with Gaston’s goofy sidekick Lefou (Mark Urich in what is
surprisingly his first theatrical performance), they put on one of the
highlights of the show with the big Gaston number, which celebrates his
many manly attributes (including a thick tuft of chest hair).