Theater Review: 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast The Musical' tour

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

The Bushnell has brought the magnificent new iteration of the beloved “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast The Musical” to their stage, marking its first Disney produced North American tour in over 25 years. The Disney Theatrical Group production will perform in Hartford through Apr. 12.

The Bushnell’s President and CEO David Fay notes that members of the original Tony Award-winning artistic team, including book writer Linda Woolverton (“The Lion King,” “Aida,”) composer Alan Menken and lyricist Tim Rice, reunited to create this new production.

Fay adds that blending shows that appeal to young audiences into the theater’s Broadway series reflects their mission of connecting young people and the arts. “Shows like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ are wonderful touchstones to reaffirm the wonder and excitement of Broadway for young and old alike,” he writes. At the opening night performance, many young patrons came out to experience the musical, some dressed in royal attire.

There is so much that is excellent about this production of the “tale as old as time” that displays a strong financial backing by the production team. Matt West directs and choreographs this production conceived by Rob Roth that features new sets, jaw-dropping technical aspects, stunning costumes, and beautiful choreography and music performed by a talented cast.

Kyra Belle Johnson, who previously toured as Sophie in the national tour of “Mamma Mia!,” gives life to the role of the Beauty named Belle. She sings “Home” with yearning and a strong singing voice, and makes the “odd’ and brave Belle easy to love.

Fergie L. Philippe played Hercules Mulligan/James Madison in “Hamilton” on Broadway and possesses the substantial size for that role. His performance as the Beast encompasses all of the demands of his character, with a delightful emphasis on the gentle humor in the role. His performance of “If I Can’t Love Her” strongly closes the first act.

Stephen Mark Lukas (Nick Arnstein in “Funny Girl”) does well with the role of the perfectly awful Gaston. Danny Gardner glows in the role of the very French Lumiere with real flames that he controls at the end of his arms. Kathy Voytko (“A Gentlemen’s Guide” on Broadway) is the infinitely motherly Mrs. Potts, and Javier Ignacio has fun as the tightly wound Cogsworth.

Harry Francis, who has a long list of London/West End credits, takes on the physicality of the role of Gaston’s punching bag LaFou. Kevin Ligon, who was in “Hello, Dolly!” on Broadway and played Herr Schultz in Goodspeed’s “Cabaret,” plays Belle’s inventor father Maurice.

Holly Ann Butler, who was part of “Come From Away” on Broadway, is a delight in the role of Madame, the opera singer transformed into an armoire. Cameron Monroe Thomas makes her tour debut as the enchanted feather duster Babette. Kate Wesler helps to open the show as the Enchantress and plays a Village Lass. Levi Blaise Coleman and Kanoa Edgar share the role of Mrs. Pott’s teacup son Chip.

Among the talented singer/dancers in the ensemble is Michael Dikegoros in his tour debut. The Elon BFA MT graduate is a Wethersfield native and Bushnell Ensign Darling alum.

The classical style touring orchestra gets to play the iconic musical numbers from the film augmented by Broadway show tunes and orchestral underscore. Music Director David Andrews Rogers, who has toured with “Phantom of the Opera” and “My Fair Lady,” beautifully conducts all of the musicians and vocalists, with Associate Conductors Connor Doran and Josh Tatsuo Cullen on keyboards.

Ann Hould-Ward designed a plethora of dazzling costumes for which she won a Tony Award. The enchanted characters appear in more compact versions of their animated counterparts, taking the Disney park shapes and making them far easier for the actor to move while wearing. Babette, dressed in pink, even has a short feather-duster skirt to put on for dancing. Hair and makeup design by David H. Lawrence includes many high-quality wigs.

The lighting design by Tony winner Natasha Katz (“Hell’s Kitchen”) is stunning, from a beautiful daytime look to the scary dark forest. There is plenty of projection/video design by Darrel Maloney to accent the often curlicue set design by Stanley A. Meyer. There was a glitch in moving some of the pieces onto the stage on opening night, necessitating a short hold in the first act to fix it. Sound design by John Shivers includes Angela Lansbury, the voice of Mrs. Potts in the animated film, as the voice of the Prologue Narrator.

This new production of the beloved Disney story is at times charming, at times dazzling, and always captivating. Expect several magical scenes, especially the “Transformation” scene, with illusions designed by Jim Steinmeyer. “Be Our Guest” features more dancing than cutlery and dancers in white in the background for other production numbers. It all brings the musical that I have seen many times in community theaters to a new level.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast runs Apr. 7-12. The performance is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes, including one intermission, so it may prove a bit long for the youngest Disney-lover. Disney on Broadway performances are recommended for a general audience, but especially for those ages six and up. All guests entering the theater, regardless of age, must have a ticket. The production includes strobe lighting, loud noises, flashing lights, low fog, atmospheric haze, confetti, streamers, smoke, etc. (subject to change). Best available tickets: Apr 7 - 9. Learn more at bushnell.org

Come early to join our "Roses of Love" campaign during your visit to The Bushnell. Write the name of someone you love on a rose, and we'll display it at the theater! For each rose, Max Cares Foundation will donate $1 to My Sister's Place up to $2,500.

This production includes scary wolf images, strobe lighting, loud noises, flashing lights, low fog, atmospheric haze, confetti, streamers, smoke, etc. (subject to change).