By Christina Perryman
Walnut Street Theatre is celebrating the holiday season with a stunning production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” marvelously directed by Glen Casale. The show, book by Linda Woolverton, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, is truly “a tale as old as time.”
Daniel Wisniewski as the Beast. Photo by Mark Garvin
Beautiful outcast Belle longs for a life of adventure, far from the small French town where she and her odd-ball inventor father, Maurice, live. Belle gets more adventure than she bargained for when her father goes missing on his way to an inventor’s convention. Maurice, attacked by wolves, stumbles upon an enchanted castle, inhabited by an eclectic array of interesting characters. The proprietor is a ghastly beast, once upon a time a prince cursed by a beautiful enchantress. The only way to lift the spell – the beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return, “for beauty is found within.” Beast and his servants, including charming ladies’ man Lumiere, uptight house manager Cogsworth, motherly Mrs. Potts and her son, Chip, and Lumiere’s main squeeze, Babette, have almost despaired of breaking the spell. Until Belle shows up on their doorstep, searching for her father. Finding Maurice the Beast’s prisoner, Belle selflessly trades her father’s life for her own and takes his place.
Everyone’s hopes are lifted as Belle and the Beast gradually peel back each other’s preconceptions and slowly learn to care for each other. Will the spell finally be broken?
Anyone who was a fan of the animated movie will love the stage version. Walnut’s cast is outstanding. Julia Udine is phenomenal as Belle. Udine has a lovely singing voice, cheerful nature and good chemistry with Daniel Wisniewski (Beast). Wisniewski is excellent. His mannerisms are initially very beastlike and intimidating. His attempts to be a gentleman are humorous and his singing is also terrific.
The trio of Fran Prisco (Cogsworth), Dana Orange (Lumiere) and Mary Martello (Mrs. Potts) are standouts. Their interactions are comical, each embodies their character completely and they are all enjoyable to watch. Especially when joined by Bonnie Kelly as Babette and Rebecca Robbins as Madame de la Grande Bouche.
The villain of the piece is not the Beast, but rather macho man and heartthrob Gaston, excellently played by Chris Stevens, and flanked by his lackey, Lefou (great comedic moments by Giovanni DiGabrielle). Stevens was occasionally over the top, but it worked well. Quirky Maurice is perfectly played by Bill Van Horn. During the week, audiences are treated to a charming performance by Grant Knudson as Chip. Raphael Sommer takes over as Chip during the weekends.
Walnut’s always impeccable ensemble includes Adam Hoyak (Bookseller), Alex Frohlinger, Rachel Britton Hart, Audrey Simmons, Jesse Jones, Zummy Mohammed, Joseph Fierberg, Kevin Kulp, Sara Brophy, Phoebe Gavula, Kimberly Maxson, Daniel Miller, Samanth Roche, Audrey Biehl Simmons and Devon Sinclair.
Chris Burcheri beautifully conducts the live orchestra.
The set, designed by Robert Andrew Kovach, was striking. The backgrounds are vibrant, the spiral staircase is fantastic and the use of arches to give the stage depth is creative and well done. Costumes, by Mary Folino, are outstanding. Particularly eye-catching are the Beast’s outfit and Belle’s ball gown. Also noteworthy are the household items (Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, etc.) and the wolves. I would be remiss if I did not mention the wigs, well done by Carissa Thorlakson, lighting by Matt Demascolo, and sound by Ed Chapman.
Choreographer Kim Arnett and Music and Vocal Director Chris Burcheri created spectacular musical numbers. In addition to the popular songs from the 1991 original (“Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” especially), there are a few new ones including “How Long Must This Go On” and “A Change In Me.”
If You Go
“Beaty and the Beast” runs at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, through Dec. 31. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. Sundays. Matinees are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays and there are special holiday performances available. Tickets are $25-$175. For a full of list showtimes, tickets or information, go online or call 215-574-3550 or Ticketmaster.