Beauty and the Beast Musical Review: Belmont University’s Stellar Performance
The stage adaptation of the Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast” has been a theatrical favorite for over twenty years now. Countless productions have been staged, both in professional and community theaters around the world, but Belmont University Musical Theatre’s rendition stands out for its rousing performances, masterful direction, and magnificent visuals.
BUMT’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” finally made its debut on the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts stage in Nashville, TN, after years of waiting. The show enjoyed a short but impressive run in March 2023, featuring a cast of talented actors who brought their A-game despite the brevity of their run.
Directed by David Shamburger, this show boasts a cast that includes BUMT mainstays like Noah Sowalskie as the Beast, Patrick Dunbar as Gaston, Chamberlin Little as LeFou, and Josh Jordan as Lumiere. Sierra Fermin and Maya Kaempf alternate as Belle, portraying the role with remarkable energy and grace. Kaempf, in particular, is a standout, delivering a picture-perfect visual of her character and singing the role with the confidence of a true artist.
Sowalskie, whom audiences have watched since his freshman year at Belmont, gave a commanding performance as the Young Prince turned Beast. His fiercely charming and heartfelt portrayal of the cursed character shows his range as a performer and his mastery of the role. Dunbar, playing Gaston with perfect arrogance, dominates the stage, causing all eyes to remain on him. Little delivers a pitch-perfect rendition of LeFou, his character’s hilarious antics entertaining audiences in every scene.
The performance from the rest of the cast was equally impressive. Simon Elliott perfectly conveys his character’s age and maturity, playing Belle’s bumbling inventor father Maurice with finesse. The depth of BUMT’s pool of performers is more than evident in the portrayal of the Beast’s domestic staff, with Jordan impressing as Lumiere, Maddie Heckler as Babette, and Kathryn Crandall as Madame de la Bouche.
Leah Spurlock’s portrayal of Mrs. Potts was every bit the elegant retainer of the household, capturing the essence of the character with ease. Simon Strasser’s performance, in the role of her son Chip, was a standout moment of the show. His talent for staying in character and delivering a cohesive performance was astounding, truly an indication of his skills as a performer.
Anna Perry’s elaborate choreography was beautiful, providing much-needed energy and spectacle to the show’s big musical numbers. Nate Strasser’s remarkable musical direction and his 17-member orchestra ensured the musical numbers sounded sophisticated, adding a professional edge to the show. The lighting design by Richard Davis was stunning, effectively illuminating every scene and ensuring audiences could see and understand what was happening. Top-notch audio design and sound effects designed by Christopher Bangos and Ivan Sobek rounded out the production’s technical achievements.
Melissa Durmon’s costumes were awe-inspiring, paired with all the other design elements, providing a visual feast throughout. The sumptuous costumes and detailed set design transported audiences back to the world of Beauty and the Beast, a world of timeless love and enchantment.
In conclusion, Belmont University Musical Theatre’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” proved to be a significant highlight of their run, with the cast giving it their all despite the brief run. The production had everything you could hope for in a musical, featuring solid performances, spectacular visuals, and evocative music. The audiences that came to see the show had their hearts filled with wonder and enchantment, ensuring that the production will always be remembered.