Image by Joan Marcus
Dressed to the nines and often holding a silk read rose (sold in a foyer) many San-Franciscan pre-adolescent Bells were crowding the auditorium of the SHN Golden Gate Theatre on the opening night of Beauty and the Beast. Coming from a French fairy tale, the story understandably underwent several interpretations before it hit the stage in the 21st century, but the underlying message remained intact: opposites attract. After Bell falls in love with the Beast and by pure magic of her feeling he is transformed into a hunky prince, he tells her to look into his eyes and see “the beast inside the man.” That’s reassuring. We wouldn’t want her to get a human brat he used to be instead of a sensitive wooly creature with a tail, horns, and fangs he became under a spell of some vindictive enchantress. Based on the famous Disney animation, the current show is part of SHN Best of Broadway series, directed by Rob Roth (book by Linda Woolverton, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, choreography by Matt West, musical director/conductor Carolyn Violi). The success of this touring production must be also attributed to the skilled and well-coordinated cast of Liz Shivener (Bell), Justin Glaser (Beast), Nathaniel Hackmann (Gaston), Michael Fatica (Lefou), Sabina Petra (Mrs. Potts), Merritt David Janes (Lumiere), Keith Kirkwood (Cogsworth) and others. Great scenic design by Stanley Meyer and costume design by Ann Hould-Ward. Runs through August 29 at the Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco. More information: www.shnsf.com/theatres/goldengate
0 comments:
Post a Comment