Dan Folino and Natalie Green star in the Beck Center for the Arts’ production of “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo courtesy of the Beck Center for the Arts)

Beck’s ‘Beauty and Beast’ tradition ends this year
By Art Thomas
Insights
Published Dec. 19, 2007

While most things come to an end, it is sad to say goodbye to the Beck Center’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” This is the third and final year for the production which has earned praise at the Lakewood theater.

I hope that this production has also earned some cash for the Beck Center, which almost always has provocative productions of intriguing shows. Often these are not the plays that attract huge audiences among the more casual theatergoers. This show, however, is for everyone.

Back to “Beauty and the Beast,” the show has very complex demands. The Beck production, under the capable direction of Fred Sternfeld, meets all of them in spades. The first rate cast is headed by Dan Folino as the crass, roaring beast who must attract true love in order to return to his handsome prince persona. Flying across the stage and onto a chair, Folino’s Broadway voice ends the first act with audience cheers when he sings, “If I Can’t Love Her.” Pert Natalie Green is Belle, the young lover of books who trades herself for her father held captive in the Beast’s castle. Not a princess, Green’s Belle should be a model for girls watching the show.

Josh Rhett Noble is a square-jawed Gaston — the egotistical hunter of the beast and enamored of Belle. Noble is the cartoon character come to life. His sidekick is the versatile Zac Hudak, whose physical humor has flawless timing.

Most of these parts, as well as others, are retuning performers from past years. The enchanted castle staff, slowly turning into inanimate furniture, includes Tracee Patterson as Mrs. Potts, Larry Nehring as candlestick Lumiere, and the blustering Douglas Collier as clock Cogsworth. The ensemble’s roles range from wolves, to villagers to the infamous dancing cutlery.

What is left to be said? Larry Goodpaster’s musical direction and Martin Cespedes’ choreography captivates children and adults alike. Ben Needham’s scenic design and Richard Ingraham’s sound design were carefully thought out and merely tweaked in the two revivals.

“Beauty and the Beast” runs through Dec. 30 at the Beck Center in Lakewood. The show has been generally “released,” so it will be coming soon to a high school near you. One shudders at the possible results. So, make your reservations to see this significant show in a professional production, at a theater space that is intimate even from the last row. Your children will thank you. 

On the Net:

• Beck Center For the Arts