Animation brought to life beautifully
The Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre never before has attempted a show this lavish and complicated – and never before has pulled off a success so complete.
From the castlelike sets to the candelabra and teapot costumes to a first-rate Belle – Krista Kubicek – this production of “Beauty and the Beast” delivered on the promise of the original Disney animated version. Many consider that movie to be a Disney masterpiece. I agree, yet there’s something even more satisfying about seeing a terrific live version.
Judging from the audience reaction, I’m not the only one who thought so. At the end of the outstanding production number “Be our Guest,” people started cheering, even before the last notes had been hit.
Why? They just couldn’t hold it in.
That’s because of the sheer quality of the direction by Roger Welch and the ever-entertaining choreography by Michael Wasileski. It’s also because of the imagination that went into the design (by Michael McGiveney) of the white and lavender fairy castle where the scene takes place.
It’s also because of the outstanding dance ensemble, some dressed as forks and knives, others as kitchen whisks. And, most of all, it’s due to the talent of the number’s singers, including Julie Powell as Mrs. Potts (the teapot) and Jason Snow as Lumiere (the candelabra).
Having trouble seeing how live actors can replicate the magic of animation? In a scene involving dancing utensils? Well, I’m not sure either. All I know is: They do it.
It was clear from the first scene that Welch and crew have a firm grasp on this show. The opening song, called “Belle,” efficiently establishes the place (a quaint French village), the problem (Belle is considered bookish and odd) and two of the principal characters (Belle and Gaston).
The tall and preening Gaston is embodied to perfection by Troy Wageman, hilariously outfitted in an Elvis pompadour and ponytail. Wageman has the booming voice, the smug smirk and the correct air of comic self-regard. Not to mention the biceps.
Kubicek nails the confident air of Belle, who knows that life should offer something better than being Gaston’s wife. Kubicek also has an absolutely clear, pitch-perfect voice that is a pleasure to listen to.
Rob Estes, as the Beast, is no singer. This problem may have been caused – or at least exacerbated – by the fact that he had to sing through a massive buffalo-crossed-with-a-warthog headpiece. Yet his movements and body language – scuttling through the castle and leaping atop railings – created a vivid and real persona. Estes, a former “Melrose Place” actor, also delivered the goods when the headpiece comes off in the climactic transformation scene.
Once again, this summer-stock repertory theater proved it has uncommon depth. Besides Powell and Snow, the standouts included Patrick Treadway as the befuddled Cogsworth (the clock), Dennis Craig as Maurice (Belle’s father) and Peter Riopelle as LeFou (Gaston’s sniveling sidekick).
The 11-piece orchestra, directed by Deborah Hansen, sounded crisp and clean.
I would especially like to acknowledge costume designer Judith McGiveney and her crew, who had to dress people as cupboards, cheese graters – and, in a pair of chilling scenes, as malevolent wolves. The costumers were more important than anybody else in creating this show’s magic.
I also saw a few costumes in the audience – several little girls in princess outfits. They knew as well as anybody – it takes a good costume to create a magic spell.