"Be Wagner's Guest"

Bonjour! This weekend marked the opening of Wagner College's performance of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. If you missed out, don't worry, there will still be upcoming shows next week (April 28, 29 30, May 1, 2.)



  

Among the Disney classics. Beauty and the Beast was one of Disney's biggest hits on Broadway (alongside The Lion King and Mary Poppins.) It truly was an amazing production as it ran for thirteen years and just recently closed in 2007. When I heard Wagner College was putting on this show I was a little skeptical and thought it wouldn't be able to hold a candle to the Broadway version, but I was very wrong. I had seen it performed at the Lunt Fontanne theater about seven times and I always make sure I see the stage show of it at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Disney World. Having been born in 1989, Beauty and the Beast (1991) was my favorite movie growing up. One might even say it defined my childhood (and adulthood.) Having an emotional attachment to the movie version forces me to put very high standards on any production company that attempts to perform the musical. 

Over the years I have seen many productions done at Wagner College and none of them were a disappointment. Just to name a few, shows such as 42nd Street, Footloose, Oklahoma, On the Town, etc. have all been excellent to say the least. For this past 2009/2010 season they put on The Who's Tommy, Brigadoon, Little Women, and most recently, Beauty and the Beast. From October through May you can be entertained every few months! If you are someone who doesn't miss a show, you should think about becoming a subscriber and getting first preference at great seats!

There is much to learn from the story of Belle and her beast: that the transformative power of love knows no bounds and can truly make miracles happen; that physical beauty means nothing if the heart and soul are not equally lovely; that no matter how hopeless and lost we may feel, no matter how much is stripped away and is never to be seen again, redemption and hope can be found in love.  - Timothy Lawton, Class of 2010

Some of you who are familiar with both the movie version and musical version would notice that there are songs performed in the musical that are not present in the movie. For example, the song "Belle" and "Gaston" are singing in the scene below is entitled "Me."

Other songs some might not be familiar with include: "No Matter What," "Is This Home?" "How Long Must This Go On?" "If I Can't Love Her," "Human Again," "Maison Des Lunes," and "A Change In Me." "Human Again" was actually originally featured in the movie but was cut out as a final decision. Since the DVD version is now back in the "Disney Vault" it is not currently up for sale. However, if you were fortunate to purchase it a few years back, the DVD had special features, one of which was the "Human Again" scene that was ultimately cut out of the movie.

  

Directed by Drew Scott Harris and Choreographed by Carissa Bellando, Beauty and the Beast proved to be my favorite show that I have seen at Wagner College thus far. Costume designer, Kurt Alger (a Wagner alumni) did an amazing job from Lumiere, Cogworth, and the Beast, down to the ensemble of townspeople. The costumes along with the hair styles and make up were all very consistent with the time period in which the musical takes place as well as with those familiar with the movie. Many of the "behind the scenes" people are students at the college working hard to pursue a career in this field. For example, Bendan J. O'Brien, the production stage manager is a senior and Caitlin Maxwell, the hair and makeup designer is also a senior. The fact that not only are the actors and actresses students, but so are those behind the stage really impresses me.

However you must give credit where credit is due. An amazingly talented cast of about forty students sang to the wonderful tunes written by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. The eight piece orchestra consisted of three reeds, drums/percussion, keyboard, French horn, trumpet, and the piano. Jacqueline Nuzzo played the role of Belle, and the role of the Beast was Joe Donnelly. The whole ensemble is immensely talented. The harmonies were also very successful in orchestra consisted chorus numbers. Take a look at the song that closes Act I, the ever-popular "Be Our Guest."

Beauty and the Beast is a musical that is not heavy with choreography. Those of you familiar with the plot know of the infamous rose whose petals are falling too quickly. Instead of having a prop act as the rose, the director chose to do something a little different. A dancer acted as the rose, she wore a green body suit and held red feathers which acted as the petals. I wasn't too crazy about this idea when the girl first danced on the stage, but after a while I really appreciated the effect this had on the show and on the audience as well. It brought the rose to life, which was extremely symbolic.

The cast received a standing ovation as soon as the last scene ended. It was sold out (so if you're interested in going this weekend call beforehand to reserve tickets.) I noticed that the audience was heavy with children also, so don't be afraid to bring your kids, they will definitely enjoy it!

If you are unable to attend Wagner's last performance of the season check out their shows for the 2010/2011 season: Roger and Hammerstein's Cinderella, William Finn's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Ahern's and Flahery's Seussical The Musical. Call the Box Office at: (718) 390-3259 to reserve tickets now or to sign up for a subscription for next year's season!

This tale is certainly "as old as time!"