'Beauty and the Beast' at Forestburgh – a review

By TOM KANE

FORESTBURGH, NY — Fantasy on a stage is a lot different from fantasy on the silver screen. The screen, especially the Disney screen, is a ready medium for fantasy.

But what about mounting fantasy on the boards?

It’s fraught with difficulty, and could be a minefield for any but the stoutest of hearts. Someone like Norman Dutweiler, the Forestburgh Playhouse general manager and owner.

The story of “Beauty and the Beast” came alive for me at the playhouse much better than the filmed Disney version that I had viewed a few days before in order to familiarize myself with the musical.

I found the Forestburgh version to be more believable, more immediate and more moving than the film version. The characters were more real on the stage. They moved me more readily.

That had a lot to do with the ability and skills of the actors/singers/dancers/ director/ choreographer/designers/costume seamstresses/stage crew. Last Wednesday at the Forestburgh, all the above were hitting on all cylinders.

Let me first talk about the scenery and costumes. They dazzled the eyes. They were funny, appropriate, colorful, dramatic and imaginative. People were dressed as spoons, cutlery and tableware. The secondary characters were dressed as a teapot, a chipped tea cup on a table, a candelabra, a mop (I think it was) and a clock.

And the beast was very much like a real beast (well, I’ve never really seen a beast that talked), but this one was more believable (and human) that the Disney one.

Let me next talk about the singers. Belle, the heroine, played by Juliana Ashley Hansen, had a lovely clear soprano, right on pitch, warm and expressive. The dastardly Gaston, played with sufficient vinegar by James Donegan and not overdone, made me dislike his braggadocio and his believable conceit. At times, the score called for him to sing in his deepest register (I think he was a tenor singing a baritone role, but I could be wrong) which he did with gusto, talking the lines where necessary.

Richard Amelius, who played the candelabra Lumiere and was the production’s choreographer, used his considerable stagecraft to advantage during the entire production, but especially in the show’s stopper, “Be Our Guest.” It was hard to look away from this extraordinary actor-dancer, who moves so cleverly, easily and with considerable humor.

The beast, played by David Sattler, mixed bravado and tenderness in what must have been a difficult role made easy by his talent.

Mrs. Potts, played sweetly by Mary C. Sheehan, did a masterful job on the other showstopper, “Beauty and the Beast.” Though his role was small, Gaston’s sidekick Lefou, played with considerable plasticity by young high school senior John Garry, did a yeoman’s job, as if he were an old veteran. Maurice, Belle’s eccentric father, was played absentmindedly by Bob Del Pazzo, who handled his role well.

Sullivan County veteran actor/singer Lori James was a stately Madame de la Grande Bouche, who had just the right amount of big mouthness.

The rest of the cast with the silly girls, the enchantress and D’Arque blended beautifully in ensemble with resonant harmony.

“Beauty and the Beast” plays at the theater until August 20, so you can still see it. I highly recommend it. For tickets, call the box office at 845/794-1194.