A Winning and Entertaining Beauty and the Beast at Wheelock

February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Music by Alan Mencken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton. Directed by Jane Staab. Choreography by Laurel Conrad;
Musical Direction by Steven Bergman. Presented by Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston, MA, through March 4.

Belle (the appealing Justine “Icy” Moral) is the daughter of an eccentric inventor, Maurice (Robert Saoud). Both father and daughter are considered weird in their provincial town, he for his odd creations and she for her love of books. The one thing Belle gets kudos for is her great beauty, so much so that the handsomest man in town, Gaston (Mark Linehan) is hell-bent on marrying her (Gaston is so handsome that I considered pulling Belle aside and saying, “Look, kid, you can always get divorced”). Belle, a deep girl, recognizes that although Gaston is gorgeous, he is not a nice man underneath, and refuses his proposal.

“Beauty and the Beast” at Theatre by the Sea

July 12, 2017July 31, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Richard Pacheco

“Beauty and the Beast”, now playing at Theatre by the Sea, is a musical extravaganza, a treat for eyes and ears, and a sheer delight for all ages. This spectacular production is marked by stunning sets, glorious costumes and propelled by an extremely talented and flashy cast. The choreography is standout too – vibrant, daring and dazzling.

NSMT’s “Beauty & the Beast” A Musical Gem

July 10, 2017August 2, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The second musical of North Shore Music Theatre’s 62nd season is Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” which first opened on Broadway on April 19, 1994. It closed on July 29, 2007 and ran 5,461 performances. Based on the 1991 animated Disney movie, the show tells the story of a spell cast on a Prince which transforms him into a ferocious beast. He must love and be loved before the last petal falls from the rose or he will be a beast forever.