In Wootton High School's Hands, 'Beauty and the Beast' Is All Beauty
A young prince transforms into a hideous monster and back again, in the span of two hours. A vigilante mob battles a collection of singing, dancing household objects . . . and the objects win. A man and a beast fight on top of a castle, ending with the villain toppling to his death from the highest turret.
In the animated world of the Disney film "Beauty and the Beast," anything is possible, and the timeless tale of a prince forced to live as a hideous beast until he can learn to love and be loved in return is perfectly suited for a cartoon. Although a 1994 Broadway adaptation ran for 13 years, transferring such colorful characters and magical effects to the stage takes great commitment and creativity. Luckily, Thomas S. Wootton High School students displayed both in their production of "Beauty and the Beast."
The magnificent Jessica Futran sparkled as Belle, acting with both touching sincerity and spunk. Her mellifluous singing voice carried every song with the ease of a professional. Aaron Gage brought mournful insecurity and powerful vocals to his portrayal of the Beast, infusing every line with strong emotion, despite his cumbersome makeup. His transition from a sulking, surly monster to a loving and gentle companion was both skillful and believable.
Also outstanding was the castle staff of cutlery and appliances. Despite restrictive costumes, they sang and danced with gusto, particularly in "Be Our Guest." As Lumiere the candelabra, Mattia D'Affuso exuded charisma and goofy, flamboyant charm. His flawless tenor voice and boundless animation made him especially entertaining in scenes with Babette, a flirtatious feather duster played by Lauren Fagan. As the maternal Mrs. Potts, Josi Suslov was as warm as the tea she poured, and smaller ensemble roles such as a saltshaker (Elizabeth Luu) and a rug who performed a series of astonishing acrobatics (Jesse Cheever) enhanced group numbers.
Another standout in the cast was Jonathan Helwig as the strapping, senseless and sexist Gaston. His booming baritone voice and confident physicality made him one of the most entertaining characters in the show, and the many cheers and laughs he received from the audience proved that "there's no man in town as admired" as Gaston.
The exemplary Wootton pit orchestra provided a lush soundtrack for the show, while lighting by Wolfgang Devine and Drew Culbertson added a touch of Disney Technicolor magic. The stage crew (Dahlia Ting, Aaron Fensterheim and Samantha Ritwo) made numerous scene changes without incident. Liz Askins's choreography was particularly notable in ballet sequences performed by Dana Lipowsky.
Although the entire cast sang well and enthusiastically, it was nearly impossible to hear minor characters throughout the show, and some larger roles grappled with low notes. These flaws, though, were minor in an otherwise exceptional musical.
Belle's love for the Beast proves that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, but any beholder would agree that Wootton's show is a thing of beauty.
Through the years, only a handful of musicals has been deemed "classic," enjoyed by adult and child alike. If dancing plates, magic spells and a whole host of angry villagers sound like the premise of a good story to you, you're invited to "Be Our Guest" at Thomas S. Wootton High School's production of "Beauty and the Beast."
A classic Disney animated movie, "Beauty and the Beast" has been a favorite for almost 20 years. A story about a selfish prince who is cursed to remain a beast until he can love another and be loved in return, this production captivates its audience. The show features uplifting songs such as "A Change in Me" and "Human Again," as well as entertaining characters, including a dancing candelabra and a teapot with an impressive set of pipes. Guaranteed to delight, Wootton's cast, crew and orchestra certainly fulfill all expectations.
The ensemble in any production can make or break the show. That is particularly true for "Beauty and the Beast." Wootton's ensembles, especially the enchanted objects of the castle, were entertaining yet true to their characters. There were some feedback issues with microphones, but the ensemble's unity and excitement throughout the show made it truly enjoyable to watch.
Surrounding the central cast was a colorful array of featured actors. In the timeless role of Lumiere the candelabra, Mattia D'Affuso was hilarious, bringing life to the castle with the upbeat number "Be Our Guest." Singing the title song, Josi Suslov as Mrs. Potts impressed with her endearing physicality despite a complex costume. All of the featured actors were vocally talented and energetic, managing to make talking objects seem real and personable, not an easy feat for any actor.
But what would "Beauty and the Beast" be without its Belle? Jessica Futran, a very talented singer, brought life to the role, managing to be both soft and romantic and also strong and independent. Opposite Futran was Aaron Gage as the Beast. Gage is also a gifted singer, whose melodic voice cast a different kind of spell over the audience. Gage's acting carried through his makeup and complicated costume. Both leads kept the audience mesmerized, performing their hearts out from the first word to the final curtain.
This show also boasted some impressive technical aspects. Lighting was effective and creative, and despite occasional timing issues, it was, on the whole, very well done. The orchestra was particularly impressive.
"No Matter What" -- as the song says -- this show is entertaining and impressive from start to finish. With its incredibly talented cast and crew, Wootton's "Beauty and the Beast" is nothing short of enchanting.