Beauty and the Beast: A Spectacular Stage Production
In this era of musical theatre, Disney has become a dominant force with its adaptations of classic films such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. The original Beauty and the Beast film was released in 1991, and in 1994, it made its Broadway debut, becoming an instant hit. Since then, the show has toured extensively and has been adapted by various theatre companies all over the world.
Belmont University Musical Theatre (BUMT) has recently offered its own version of Beauty and the Beast, directed with confidence by David Shamburger, with musical direction by Nate Strasser, and choreography by Anna Perry. BUMT’s version features a tremendously capable cast of actors who’ve honed their skills to deliver the goods for the audience.
Maya Kaempf played Belle, delivering a picture-perfect visual of her character while singing the role with the confidence of a genuine artist. Sowalskie, who played the Beast, gave a fiercely charming and commanding performance as the cursed prince seeking true love. Patrick Dunbar portrayed Gaston, the vain suitor vying for Belle’s affections brilliantly alongside Chamberlin Little as his sidekick, LeFou. The domestic staff members added depth to the show with Josh Jordan as Lumiere, Dylan Pearson as Cogsworth, Maddie Heckler as Babette, Kathryn Crandall as Madame de la Bouche, and Leah Spurlock as Mrs. Potts providing excellent performances.
The presentation during the weekend of March 24-26 entertained crowds, including children dressing up as their favourite characters. BUMT’s version left everyone in the theatre with a sense of wonder and enchantment that ensured the musical production transcended the stagebound structure of the script.
Anna Perry’s elaborate choreography was beautifully performed, providing the audience with much to applaud (“Be Our Guest” was stunning, and “Gaston” was cheekily over-the-top), while Nate Strasser’s musical direction of his 17-member orchestra lent an air of sophistication and professionalism. Richard Davis’ extraordinary lighting design effectively illuminated every scene, ensuring audiences can see and understand what is happening as demanded by the script, while the top-notch audio design and sound effects designed by Christopher Bangos and Ivan Sobek did the same. Melissa Durmon’s costumes were beautiful and paired with all the other design elements, they provided a visual feast throughout.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – The Broadway Musical, featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, with a book by Linda Woolverton, remains a timeless masterpiece. BUMT’s production of Beauty and the Beast is among the best to date, with its talented cast, high production value, and consistently engaging execution. Fans of the original film will not be disappointed in this latest adaptation, as it is a truly magical experience that will leave them spellbound.
