1/15/09

Children's fairy tale transformed into modern stage classic

by Sam Severn

Romantic fantasy fans young and old are flocking in record numbers to see "Disney's Beauty And The Beast," which opened a three-week run at Everett's Village Theater January 9.

Eric Polani Jensen as The Beast and Jennifer Paz as Belle take a spin around the ballroom floor in the Village Theatre's production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Photos by Jay Koh.

This eye-popping production of the Academy Award-winning animated film is an amazing mix of toe-tapping songs and show-stopping stage magic, and a beastly bash of good old-fashioned Hollywood glitz.

A tale as old as time, the Disney musical tells the story of beautiful Belle, who lives in a small village but yearns each day for adventure and excitement. One day she meets The Beast, morphed from a young prince years ago into a ghastly ogre, and locked within an enchanted castle with his servants to rot until the hairy monster can learn to love another human being.

Director Steve Tomkins twists the old fairy tale into a singing and dancing spectacle that dazzles with such a fantastic flurry of cartoonlike characters, costumes, and choreography that your head will spin.

Jennifer Paz sparkles as Belle. She brings a twinkling innocence to the role, and a warm, crystal-clear voice that would melt even the cruelest monster's heart.

Eric Polani Jensen as The Beast is rock solid. His growling character is magnificent, his singing gruff but sublime, and the transformation from man to beast at the show's opening made audience members gasp.

Shining above the sterling supporting cast is Nick DeSantis as Lumiere, the talking and wisecracking candlestick who once was human. All too human. With his thick French accent and candlewax arms that end not with fingers but flames, DeSantis brings Disney's cartoony character to brilliant and rib-chuckling life.

Lumiere's buddies in the enchanted castle - Cogsworth the clock, Mrs. Potts, and the Parisian siren Babette--are played by Ian Lindsay, Bobbi Kotula, and Haley N. Ostrander. Each works their magic wonderfully. So too does Troy L. Wageman, as the buff-and-blustery buffoon Gaston, the thick-headed town Romeo who constantly proposes marriage to Belle, and is just as constantly rejected.

The Beast's palace, Belle's village, and a spooky fairytale forest filled with wolves are all brought to imaginative life by an arsenal of lavish, over-the-top sets and evocative lighting.

 The Beast's makeup is truly astounding, and will send a chill up your spine. And a dazzling display of colorful costumes by Deanne Middleton are as mesmerizing as an enchantress' spell.

Though there are numerous crowd-pleasing songs from the 1991 movie, the show-stopper remains "Be My Guest," with its dancing silverware and prancing knick-knacks. Even if you adored the tune in the movie this version is guaranteed again to steal your heart and knock your socks off.

Village Theatre's production is the first professional presentation of the show in the region. The demand for tickets in Issaquah broke box-office records. What was once a tale for children has been transformed into a modern classic for all ages, and a haunting and awe-inspiring re-creation of one of Disney's most beloved films.

Performances are Wednesdays through Sundays through February 1 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, located at 2710 Wetmore in Everett.  Showtimes and ticket information can be found at www.villagetheatre.org, or by calling (425) 257-8600.