PicksInSix Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Paramount Theatre
PARAMOUNT’S ‘BEAST’ IS A REAL BEAUTY!
Magnificent beauty and magic mark every petal of the rose that is Paramount Theatre’s extraordinary production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the theatrical juggernaut—with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton—that first bloomed on Broadway 25 years ago and has become one of the most beloved classics of all time. You can see why in the truly stunning revival now playing at the exquisite 1,800-seat showplace in Aurora.
And let’s be clear: The Paramount production, directed with enormous heart by Amber Mak, one of Chicago theater’s finest and most respected directors, sits in a class by itself. That’s by any standard--and that includes the original Broadway production. The show, of course, benefits by all that has come before, but this one is so uplifting and vibrant, and beautifully cast and sung that when it’s all over, you will have one of those “Let’s stay and watch it again!” movie moments.
At the center of the terrific cast, Beth Stafford Laird makes a phenomenal Paramount debut as Belle. She and the remarkable Paul-Jordan Jansen, as the Prince, together execute Mak’s focus on the love story, allowing their relationship to fully bloom. Laird is an enormously talented actor and vocalist whose wide range is on full display as the earnest, independent and lovely Belle. Jansen continues a string of superlative Paramount performances as the Beast, a troubled soul who emerges to redeem himself and overcome the curse that thrust his castle and his minions into darkness and despair.
That castle has an assortment of whimsical characters that Mak gathered from Chicago’s deep store of musical theatrical talent and beyond, including: George Keating (a marvelous Cogsworth), Jackson Evans (on fire as Lumiere), Jennie Sophia (charming as Mrs. Potts), Izzie Rose (a delightfully motorized Chip) and Katherine Lee Bourné (Babette at her sultry best). Ron E. Rains shines as Belle’s inventor father, Maurice.
The “greatest hunter in the world,” Gaston, who leads the villagers in his single-minded pursuit of Belle and the Beast, is played in high-comic fashion by Emmett O’Hanlon who possesses a magnificent vocal range and impressive biceps to boot. Mixed with the comic gaiety of Nick Druzbanski as his sidekick LeFou, the two lead the company with their show-stopping performance of “Gaston.” That happens again with Belle and the enchanted ensemble with the masterful “Be Our Guest,” all superbly co-choreographed by Mak and Todd Rhoades.
Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s extraordinary set fills the massive Paramount stage–a cantilevered three-story wing-and-wagon system that transforms effortlessly from the provincial town to a multi-leveled enchanted castle and back again in the blink of an eye. Theresa Ham’s brilliant costume design, with Jesse Klug’s dramatic lighting, superb projections by Michael Tutaj, magic designer Christopher Rose and a big, robust orchestra under the direction of Kory Danielson all make Paramount’s “Beauty and the Beast” the No. 1 entertainment destination in Chicagoland this holiday season.
PHOTOS|Liz Lauren
PARAMOUNT THEATRE
Presents
DISNEY’S
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
through January 19, 2020
23 East Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 896–6666
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