Beauty and the Beast – A Musical Masterpiece Coming to Life
If you are a theater and Disney fan, then you know that when the animated film version of Beauty and the Beast was released in 1991, it was hailed as a triumph for Disney. The captivating story of Belle, a young woman in a French village, and her unlikely romance with a cursed prince-turned-beast enchanted audiences. The music by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, which earned the film an Academy Award for Original Score and a Grammy Award for Best Album for Children, was exceptional.
Fast forward to 1994, and the show made its Broadway debut, featuring all eight songs from the film, with additional numbers by Menken and Tim Rice, and a libretto by Linda Woolverton. Even though the initial reviews were fair-to-middling, the musical turned out to be a major hit with audiences. With a run of over 5,000 performances over 13 years, Beauty and the Beast proved to be a musical masterpiece that transcended time.
Since then, it has been produced and performed by theater companies all over the world, including at Belmont University Musical Theatre (BUMT), which recently put on a mesmerizing production of Beauty and the Beast that was nothing short of magical.
Directed by David Shamburger, with musical direction by Nate Strasser and choreography by Anna Perry, BUMT’s Beauty and the Beast was a feast for the senses. The cast of BUMT favorites was led by Noah Sowalskie as the Beast, Patrick Dunbar as Gaston, Chamberlin Little as LeFou, and Josh Jordan as Lumiere, along with Sierra Fermin and Maya Kaempf alternating in the role of Belle.
Maya Kaempf, who played Belle on the night we were there, embodied the character’s beauty, spirit, and independence, delivering a picture-perfect portrayal. Her chemistry with Sowalskie’s Beast was palpable, and both actors showed how their characters’ growing affection for each other unfolded throughout the production.
Noah Sowalksie, who played the Beast, gave a fiercely charming and commanding performance as the Young Prince cursed to become a beast until he can find true and abiding love. And Patrick Dunbar’s Gaston was perfectly arrogant, ensuring all eyes were riveted on him as he strutted about the stage, with Chamberlin Little providing excellent support as his sidekick LeFou.
Among the domestic staff at the Beast’s castle, the depth of the BUMT bench of musical performers added another layer of talent to the production. It was evident in the performances of Josh Jordan as Lumiere, Dylan Pearson as the Beast’s major domo Cogsworth, Maddie Heckler as Babette, and Kathryn Crandall as Madame de la Bouche.
The large ensemble who brought the show to vibrant life, particularly during the big spectacular musical numbers such as “Be Our Guest” and “Gaston,” gave every indication that we have much to look forward to in future seasons with Belmont University Musical Theatre.
Anna Perry’s elaborate choreography was beautifully performed, providing the audience with much to applaud, while Nate Strasser’s musical direction of his 17-member orchestra lent an air of sophistication and professionalism to the show. Richard Davis’ extraordinary lighting design effectively illuminated every scene, Melissa Durmon’s costumes were beautiful, and the top-notch audio design and sound effects designed by Christopher Bangos and Ivan Sobek did their part to make the production a joy to behold.
In conclusion, Belmont University Musical Theatre’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast proved to be an enchanting and magical depiction of a timeless story. With its talented cast, magnificent set design, stunning costumes, and superb direction, this is definitely a production that should not be missed. Whether you are a die-hard theater fan or simply looking for an unforgettable night out, you won’t regret choosing to watch this masterpiece come to life.
