Last night, Disney's musical theatre arm, Disney Theatrical Productions, made their latest stop here in Atlanta at the fabulous Fox Theatre for the opening night of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Tour.
True to previous Disney productions, the building was filled from top to bottom with people of all ages. Grandparents, Moms, Dads, and of course, a plethora of little Princesses in their best and finest Disney, Belle, and holiday gowns all filling the Fox's cushioned seats to witness the timeless tale of a beautiful maiden (looking for so much more than her provincial life) and a hideous beast.
This is the third time we have seen this musical over the past few years, and honestly, I think it gets better with each viewing. Of course the actors change, but the songs and story line do not. This time around, we were treated to:
- Sam Hartley as the Beast (previously in Frankenstein and Les Miserables)
- Brooke Quintana as Belle (also previously in Les Miserables)
- Matt Dasilva as LeFou
- Stephanie Gilmore as Madame de la Grand Bouche
- Stephanie Gray as Mrs. Potts
- Melissa Jones as Babette
- Thomas Mothershed as Maurice
- Ryan Phillips as Lumiere (one of the night's biggest crowd pleasers)
- Samuel Shurtleff as Cogsworth
- Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek as Gaston (another big crowd pleaser)
- Kadence Edwards/Deandre Horner as Chip (Deandre is a local from McDonough, GA)
If you have not seen the musical threatre production of this classic tale, it is worthy to note that is varies slightly from the original Disney animated version. Most notably with six extra songs, including one masterful solo from Sam Hartley (as the Beast) singing, "If I Can't Love Her."
Disney has never failed at hiring the talent beyond compare, and the cast this year is no exception. Each actor is dutifully talented in both verse and song and did not disappoint.
The show is a delight - catchy, familiar tunes (fun watching people sing along in the audience); fun dance numbers; and a lot of slapstick comedy (mostly from Gaston, LeFou, and Lumiere). Our audience had grown-ups and children alike laughing at prop falls, silly acrobatic stunts, and of course all of Gaston's self-promoting songs.
If you are a Disney fan or have littles, this is a great opportunity for a fun outing into the city. As one little Princess sitting behind me last night said as Belle stepped out from stage left in her yellow ballroom gown, "Oh wow."
Yes. "Oh wow."
Don't miss the chance to be a part of Disney Theatrical Productions. It's not every day that Disney comes to town.
*****
Official Press Release:
Be
our guest as one of Broadway’s classic fairy tales returns to the Fox Theatre
for a week of musical enchantment!
For any local college students looking for a
night of romantic hilarity mixed with magic and charm, Fifth Third Bank
Broadway in Atlanta presents a special $25 Student Rush Ticket price
for the Atlanta engagement of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, playing at
The Fox Theatre February 2 – 7 as part of the 2015/2016 35th
anniversary season.
Students simply need to bring valid college student
identification with them to the Fox Theatre Box Office two hours prior to each
scheduled performance. The Student Rush Ticket price will be available for all
performances with a two-ticket limit per student ID. Student Rush Tickets will
apply to any open seat in the house, subject to availability.
Disney’s
Beauty and the Beast
is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the
Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an
enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end
and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the
Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for
all eternity.
Disney’s
Beauty and the Beast
will play in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre February 2 – 7 as part of Fifth Third
Bank Broadway in Atlanta’s 2015/2016 season. The performance schedule is:
- Wednesday - Thursday - 7:30PM
- Friday - 8PM
- Saturday - 2PM, 8PM
- Sunday - 1PM; 6:30PM
FIFTH
THIRD BANK BROADWAY IN ATLANTA is presented by Broadway Across America.
Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of
companies, which includes Broadway.com, under the supervision of John Gore
(Owner & CEO). BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring
productions in North America, operating in 38 markets. Current and past
productions include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Finding
Neverland, It Shoulda Been You, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray
and The Producers. www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; www.Broadway.com
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