Disney's Beauty & The Beast, A Musical By GPA, A Roaring Success

This 'tale as old as time' was brought to vibrant living color and movement by the cast and crew of Grand Performing Arts (GPA), a family theatre company based in Livermore.

Community theatre is a unifying force and creates a space where people of all ages can come together and experience the thrill of the stage. Well known for combining ‘Arts and Hearts’ this family theatre company brings together both professionals and amateurs in an experience to delight both the mind and the soul.

The show begins when a handsome but selfish Prince is magically transformed into a hideous Beast by a beautiful Enchantress to teach him a lesson in kindness and compassion. A young woman named Belle, living in a small town nearby becomes his last hope in breaking the spell. The Beast needs to learn to love and be loved, to break the spell on his castle before the last petal of an enchanted rose falls or he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

The Broadway Musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, brings the story of Belle and her magical adventure to life and in the stage version all of the memorable songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, are included along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. This stage adaptation was based on the on the 1991 animated Disney film, which was adapted from the French fairy tale, La Belle et la Bête, by celebrated author Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont.

Trenton Torain, Musical Director, Part Owner of GPA, and the Beast in the Enchanted Cast remarked that the most enjoyable part of the Beauty and the Beast production is the story. He was excited to translate the story through singing, costumes, staging, and dancing and present it to the community.

Belle and her books capture the essence of the yearning of youth to explore the world and find a place of belonging. Beautiful vocals by lead actress Jaeda Perriman invited the audience to join her on her journey of self-discovery.

The macho Gaston, Jonah Wendleton, was very convincing in his role and wardrobe added a humorous touch with a tuft of very obvious chest hair, to the egotistical, beer guzzling, hunter. His sidekick, LeFou, played by Ben Salazar, was an entertaining and comedic presence.

This production featured a very large cast which led to a marvelous display during the rendition of "Be our Guest" - a veritable cornucopia of color, song and dance. The sweet pink cupcakes trotting and smiling across the stage were both adorable and charming. The lead roles were split into two categories namely the Enchanted Cast and the Fantasy Cast who performed at different shows and each added their unique flavor.

In stark contrast were the ominous scenes in the dark woods where characters are surrounded by a large pack of wolves and are in imminent danger. The audience is drawn into the scenes of mortal peril that first Belle’s beloved father Maurice (Mike Freman) and then she herself faced.

Isabella Geraghty, who played a wolf and a fork said, “I loved meeting kids from other schools. My favorite part was singing with other people. I love dancing too. Kristi is a really nice person. The classes were fun.” When asked on her thoughts about the experience Rita, Isabella's Mom said "She was SO nervous in the week leading up to opening night! Her stomach in knots. But she didn’t have to worry - the company relies on lots of volunteers (the families of all the students), and they help run the show back stage. We were all given tasks during Tech Week - when to line the kids up and games to play between sets - so things ran smoothly by opening night."

Imaginative set designs allowed for a smooth transition between scenes from the enchanted castle of the Beast to the local village.

The costumes were a creative delight and Cogsworth (Andres Daza) became adept at ensuring that his clock face remained intact by adjusting the clock hands perched on his nose. Likewise the wardrobe , Madame De La Grand Bouche played by Caitlyn Acha, managed her drawers by learning to navigate doorways side on.

Karthik Raman, Dad to Veda and first-time volunteer at the show, spoke about his stage crew experience and said "I enjoyed volunteering on the stage crew. It was an amazing experience to see how many people are involved both in front of and behind the screens, and how it all comes together to create a magical experience."

Karthik, his wife Rachna and their younger daughter Sama were all present to show their support and received a charming little wave from Veda during the performance when she spotted her family. "We are grateful for the team at Grand Performing Arts for giving our daughter, Veda, a chance to be part of this beautiful play. She worked hard, learnt a lot from her coaches, and really enjoyed the experience. Our family loved watching her in the play, and we are so proud of her."

Mrs. Potts (Kat DeLapp) and Chip (Tristin Crane) made an endearing pair and the latter did well to spend most of the show with only her face on display. Enchanting vocals by Mrs. Potts carried the magical moment where Belle and the Beast dance together and recognize their new found love.

The dramatic smoke-filled transition from Beast to Prince was a spectacle to behold and the most heartwarming transition was to see little Chip reunited with his mother, Mrs. Potts.

There are further transitions that lie ahead for GPA as owner and Artistic Director/ Choreographer, Kristi Grand , will hand over the reins to her son Trenton Torain shortly. Kristi Grand has run Grand Performing Arts for many years, and has firmly established the family theater company in the Tri-Valley. “Each show,” writes Kristi in her Director’s Notes, “I am more and more swept away by the power of community. The cast, crew, production staff and our many community volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring this story to life for you, amidst laughter, excitement, and the pure joy of working together. I am honored to be a part of this organization, one that truly belongs to the community.”

It was no surprise that the shows for this performance were all sold out. Many of those who experienced it were inspired to participate in the next production namely Peter Pan, another well-loved favorite that is currently open for registration.

Photography credits to Conner Jackson and Meghan Currier.