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Enchanting Night at the Muny
The Muny’s “Beauty and the Beast”
is a Spectacular Sensation
by Pat Lindsey
“Beauty and the Beast,” the tale
Claybourne-Elder-Tommy-Bracco-and-the-cast-of-Disneys-Beauty-and-the-Beast-
as old as time, is currently illuminating The Muny stage with explosions of color, song, dance…and fireworks. It’s a playground for the senses enveloped in an enchanting story that we’ve known and loved since childhood.
What’s really wonderful about this story and this production is that it’s not just for kids. It has a way of enchanting all generations while teaching some of life’s lessons along the way.
Belle (Ashley Blanchet), the heroine, has lived her entire life in a small French village filled with mean-spirited people. She and her father, Maurice (Harrison White), are ridiculed by the townspeople because they are smart and a bit eccentric. Belle is beautiful and loves to read. Her father is an inventor. The story begins when Maurice is attacked by a pack of wolves on his way to the fair to enter one of his inventions. He runs for cover in a nearby castle and faces another enemy–the Beast (Ben Crawford).
As the story unfolds, the stage sets become more and more amazing. Projection technology and Muny magic take us from the beautiful French countryside where waterfalls are flowing down hillsides to the depths of the dark forest and into the colossal castle. Scenic Designer Ann Beyersdorfer could not have made it look more realistic. Then along come the most unique characters dressed as a clock, candelabra, teapot, cup, wardrobe, French feather duster, and a big, hairy beast–no small feat for Costume Designer Robin McGee. Add to this fantastic choreography by Patrick O’Neill and the audience can sit back and enjoy pure enchantment.
Alan Menken’s music with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice make this musical a dream come true. Experiencing one of their most well-known songs, “Be Our Guest,” in a spectacular production is simply sensational. Dancing dinner plates and utensils, can-can and tango dancers, champagne fountains, and costumed singers and dancers completely fill the enormous Muny stage.
The main characters, Belle (Blanchet) and the Beast (Crawford) lift up their gorgeous voices in several solos. Blanchet has a sweet, melodic tone that can become as strong and powerful as her character. Crawford’s bold, beastly baritone softens as he falls more deeply for Belle. And then there is narcissistic Gaston (Claybourne Elder), the village bully with bulging biceps, who is determined to marry Belle. He gives a wonderful performance in the tavern scene when he sings about himself in “Gaston.”
The plot thickens after Belle convinces the Beast to release her father from his castle cell and keep her as his captive, instead. At first, Belle is horrified by the Beast’s scary appearance, but in time she learns not to be deceived by appearances. Determined not to be bullied by the Beast, Belle asserts herself into becoming his teacher. She reads to him, teaches him manners, and reminds him to control his temper. Eventually, Belle finds “something there that wasn’t there before.” When Belle and the Beast waltz to the Academy Award-winning theme, “Beauty and the Beast,” all hearts will melt.
“Beauty and the Beast” will be enchanting Muny audiences now through June 30. Treat yourself to an evening of Muny Magic under the stars. For tickets, go to muny.org or call 314-534-1111.
