Beauty and the Beast Review - 4/5 Matinee

[kyguy78]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 11:42am

My wife won out on the debate of whether to see Beauty and the Beast or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, so we attended the matinee Wednesday afternoon. First, those people that work the door must be getting hazard pay because it was absolute chaos with the bus loads of children that were screaming and trying to get in. Once inside the theater, I would say that 75% or more of the audience was 12 and younger.

You'll have to forgive me because I don't have my playbill in front of me, so I don't remember everyone's names.

The performance was much better than I thought it would be though. I don't know what I was expecting, but the show kept me entertained for the majority of the time. There were some flow problems, but I guess that's to be expected when you blow upa ninety minute movie into a nearly three hour Broadway show.

I thought Ashley Brown was great as Belle. Her voice compliments the songs and I thought she played the role very well. She's very charismatic as well and the show just has a different type of energy when she's on stage.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for The Beast himself. I thought Steve's performance was phoned in and the show actually got painful to watch during his solo numbers that just drug the energy out of the theater. I think it's really time for the producers to re-cast that role and bring in someone who'll bring some new energy to the role. Also, this was my wife's major complaint, when The Beast transforms at the end, he looks way too old to be a handsome, young prince.

Grant Norman did a good job with Gaston and was just having fun with his performance. Cogsworth, I wish I could remember his name, but all I can remember is how my wife described him, Nathan Lane, Jr., and Lumiere both did decent jobs as the comic relief too.

If it weren't for Ashley, Beauty and the Beast would be in some trouble, but because she's so likable, she helps to carry the show and make it seem better than it really is. Ashley is the standout with Grant, to me, being second and everyone else falling a notch or two below. It's kind of like when old Chicago Bulls were just Jordan and four other guys. Yeah, they won a few games, but they didn't start winning championships to solid role roleplayers came into the mix. Like I said, I wish they'd re-cast The Beast becuase I think it's kinda obvious that there's not a ton of chemistry between them. And as long as school bus loads of children keep showing up and the lobby is selling the hell out of those stuffed dolls and roses, this show will be open for a long, long time.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:42pm

Thanks for the review...people don't tend to review BATB on here very often! (Probably b/c people don't go back very often) but I've got to agree with you, Ashley is the only thing holding it together...Steve Blanchard can go home.

[Color and Light]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:45pm

I saw Steve Blanchard in the part five years ago, and he was hard to watch then, too.

[wonderful1]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:32pm

guess I'm in the minority because I like Steve Blanchard - of course I haven't seen it in a couple years. But, my favorite Beast has to be Chuck Wagner. Also, I think BATB lost something in the move from the Palace to its current home. Some of the energy seemed to go out of it with the cast reduction. JMO

[Kev]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 2:33pm

Also, I think BATB lost something in the move from the Palace to its current home. Some of the energy seemed to go out of it with the cast reduction. JMO

Agreed. I also think the production lost something in terms of the minimized pyrotechnics.

Steve Blanchard used to be excellent. Now it's bordering on mediocrity. I also have to echo the comment re: Chuck Wagner as the Beast; easily the best I have seen in my many viewing of the show.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 2:50pm

I think it's time for Steve to move on. I happened to like James Barbour's performance as the Beast (and I apologize for the ill-timing of this remark).

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 2:53pm

Oh yeah DISNEY will be bringing Barbour back, I'm sure.
Updated On: 4/7/06 at 02:53 PM

[mortgageguy79]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:04pm

I can't believe Steve is STILL playing this role. I remember seeing him a little over 2 years ago and thinking it was time for him to move on! I would love to see Barbour back in the role! (and to go with Dottie, I too apologize for the timing of the comment)


Also, thanks kyguy78 for putting the review up here, it's good to see something about BATB!

Updated On: 4/7/06 at 03:04 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:06pm

Not that I said I wanted James back in the role, I meant that I liked his performance the best out of the 3 "beasts" that I had seen.

Since they seem to be getting new Belle's, why not give a new guy a shot at the Beast.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:13pm

I totally agree.
The Current Beast and Gaston are both way too old to be playing opposite Ashley.
It's a little creepy.

[wonderful1]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:16pm

I saw James Barbour as the Beast and didn't like his interpretation at all - it was a bit creepy. Chuck Wagner was a hoot. First time I saw it he was playing opposite Kerry Butler as Belle - - they had great chemistry and she was terrific in the role.

ITA about lessening the pyrotechnics also diminished the show's impact. I was dazzled the first time I saw it at the Palace - and bored with it the last time at the Lunt-Fontaine...

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:21pm

How about this: I saw him understudy the role over 10 years ago.

[mortgageguy79]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:23pm

SO true Gaston and the Beast are far too old for those roles! Where are the Cheyenne Jackson's of the world to step in for Gaston? We need a new tall, dark, YOUNG and handsome!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:23pm

I saw Steve...I actually liked him. Did anyone think he had a good voice and it was just his acting that slowed things down?

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:32pm

Who is playing Lummiere these days?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:33pm

i want to play gaston! i can totally pull it off (6'4" with a rangey big voice)

[wonderful1]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:35pm

Yes, I liked Steve's voice. I was even impressed that he was all about the character and not 'hey listen to me sing'. When I first saw him, his 'If I can't Love Her' was gut wrenching. Have to admit, it didn't have the same punch last time I saw it at the LF theater - but, I just put it to everything having lost its punch there..........

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 5:22pm

I thought James Barbour was wonderful as the Beast. I saw him opposite Andrea McArdle as Belle.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 5:27pm

I thought Blanchard needed to move on four years ago...I agree that Ashley Brown is just fabulous, and really is "holding it all together." What a performance.

The thing that annoyed me the most about Blanchard is that he didn't hold out any of the notes. He kind of spoke-sang them. It didn't sound right. It's definitely time for some new blood in that role.