Review by Shelby Coleman
Disney’s Beauty and The Beast is the perfect family event for this holiday season. Now open at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts and produced by Cincinnati Landmark Productions, the musical is full of spectacle, holly and bows, and includes many nods to the movie we all know and love.
The Story
While the stage production differs slightly from the classic Disney movie, the storyline will be familiar to those young and old. We enter this world of Belle with the familiar narration that tells of the Prince’s curse. CLP does a wonderful job of bringing new life to this old story with the addition of a wolf ballet (choreography by Cassidy Steele). This is a genius way to bring audiences up to speed.
Annie Schneider as Mrs. Pott’s in CLP’s production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast
We hear the familiar tune of “Belle” and audience members will visibly sit up in their seats with excitement. We are taken through the towns’ opinion of how “odd” Belle (Hope Pauly) is from the rest of the town. Pauly brings the perfect Disney Princess aura to her performance. Her vocals and mannerisms make audiences feel as if they have gone back in time and back into the Disney vaults.
John Dorney as Maurice and Hope Pauly as Belle in CLP’s production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast
Energetic and Touching Performances
Although Belle (Pauly) is different, her undeniable beauty captures the eye of the town bachelor, Gaston (Royce Louden). Louden’s presence on stage is larger than life, which fits perfectly with Gaston’s view of himself. As the self-proclaimed hero of the town, Gaston is always has his posse: Lefou (Colin Waters) and the Silly Girls (Cassidy Perme, Caroline Rakestraw, Carly J. Shepherd). What a debut Colin Waters makes in Cincinnati and to the CLP stage! Waters brings incredible physicality to his performance, creating the perfect stereotypical bumbling sidekick. This, in conjunction with the Silly Girls, brings the comic element to the show.
John Dorney’s performance as Belle’s eccentric father, Maurice, is genuine and heartwarming. The connection between Pauly and Dorney on stage is palpable and furthers the family-friendly element of this production.
Unfortunately, “crazy old Maurice” (Dorney) get lost on his way to show his invention at the state fair. He ends up in the castle we heard of from the Enchantress (Delaney O’Toole) at the beginning of the story. It is here we get out first glimpse at the many magical objects within the castle. Lumiere (Christopher Wells) and Cogsworth (Jerrod Gruber) immediately burst to life on the stage with hilarious antics and traditional accents we desire in these roles. Chloe Hedrick’s performance as Babette, the sensual maid turned feather duster, brings the love affair between herself and Lumiere to the forefront. These brief interludes between Hedrick and Wells mirror the comedy between Lefou and the Silly Girls, giving the audience plenty of laughter throughout the evening.
Christopher Wells as Lumiere and Jerrod Gruber as Cogsworth in CLP’s production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast.
More Standout Performances
Stand out performer include Madeline Stern, Madame de la Grand Bouche and Cian Steele, The Beast. Stern’s vocals soar through the rafters from her very first entrance. Stern has the technique and skills to absolutely thrill audiences.
Steele brings a softness to the role of The Beast that can often be forgotten with the harsh words he must growl. His back and forth between trying to fight for his humanity and the beast within taking control creates an appealing story arc that holds its ground with Pauly’s princess perfect performance as Belle. When Steele begins The Beast’s ballad “If I Can’t Love Her” the internal battle is mirrored in his vocals, moving from soft sadness to low growls and finally finishing in the beautiful ending belt on the number. Steele brings a new level to this show stopping first act finale.
Perhaps the most-loved number of the production, is the song “Beauty and The Beast.” Annie Schneider who portrays Mrs. Potts has effortless vocals which lulls audiences to silence as they are completely entranced by this number.
Cian Steele as The Beast and Hope Pauly as Belle in CLP’s production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast.
Creative Leadership
The audience enters a winter wonderland as they step into the theatre. With glowing trees, snow-covered buildings and the familiar Nutcracker Suite playing in the background, Director Tim Perrino, fully commits to making this a memorable holiday experience. This attention to detail, along with the ever-lovely choreography of Cassidy Steele, has taken the production to the next level. Ms. Steele is known for creating show stopping ensemble numbers that showcase the technique and skill of her dancers. Steele reaches new heights in this production, with the inclusion of acrobatics, lifts, and ballet sequences. Audiences will be talking about her delightful vision for “Be Our Guest” for seasons to come!
The cast of Cincinnati Landmark Production’s Disney’s Beauty and The Beast.
Overall
CLP’s production of Beauty and the Beast is the perfect addition to your holiday plans! This winter wonderland allows families, friends, and anyone in between to immerse themselves in the warmth, nostalgia and spirit of the holiday season.
Tickets to Disney’s Beauty and The Beast
Disney’s Beauty and The Beast runs through December 29th, 2024, at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts at 4990 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45238. Purchase tickets at the box office, online at https://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/ccpa/Default.aspx or by calling 513-241-6550.
