(no subject)
Beauty and the Beast opened yesterday. It was a wonderful performance! I am so glad I got to do this show!!
Today there was a critic review in the Columbia River Reader by Ned Piper. I thought I would share it:
A rousing, standing ovation exploded from an appreciative audience as the curtain rang down on an impressive opening night production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, staged at the Olmscheid Auditorium in St. Helens. Each and every actor, singer and musician contributed to the success of this musical treat. I’m continually amazed at the wealth of local talent we have in the Lower Columbia River region.
Director Lisa Bishop must be very proud of her cast, the orchestra and all the backstage workers who helped her mount this colorful production.
Her decision to raise the curtain on a blank scrim (a piece of fabric made of cheesecloth that covered the entire proscenium), then backlight the opening scene of the prince being transformed into a hideous beast by a scorned witch, was effective. There was no doubt that we were about to witness a fairy tale.
The painted backdrop gave a positive first impression, upheld throughout the play by clever, professional scenery. The scenes move effortlessly from location to location with just a few minor additions or the removal of certain pieces. Actors fully used the entire set, with its various elevations. With roughly 50 bodies on stage involved in complex dance routines, it was obvious that countless hours had gone into perfecting them. All the crowd scenes were animated and lively.
Belle (played by Abby Olson), while bookish and seemingly-aloof, is the most eligible young woman in the village. Her father Maurice (acted by Patrick Birkle), an unsuccessful inventor, is the village laughing stock. The town’s conceited “hunk” and blowhard, Gaston, played by Tom Weaver, is convinced that Belle will agree to marry him, but she is an independent young woman who has no interest in becoming Gaston’s wife. When Maurice gets lost in the woods and ends up in the castle inhabited by The Beast, he encounters a strange set of characters. Former aids to the Prince, they were transformed from humans into household items as part of the spell which changed the Prince into the Beast.
We have Lumiere (portrayed by Mike Judah), who is a candlestick; Cogsworth (Larry Ward) who’s become a grandfather clock; Mrs. Potts (Kate Knutson) as a teapot and her “chipped teacup” child, Chip (Sarah Thurston); Babette (Jenny Mason), a feather duster; and Madame de la Grande Bouche (Sandi Hess) who is an armoire. These hopeful “household items” see the possibilities of the Beast’s spell being broken if he can fall in love with, and be loved in return, by a woman. If this can happen, they will be restored to being human again.
Co-staring with the actors are the costumes. That they were rented for this production does not diminish their importance. They are cleverly devised and the actors use them well, with excellent comic effect. Mike Judah and Larry Ward, Lumiere and Cogsworth are very funny with their Abbott & Costello back and forth antics.
I previously mentioned the wealth of talent on display on the Olmscheid Auditorium stage. Not only is Abby Olson’s singing voice crisp and melodious, but she manages to convey authentic emotions through it. Her voice is ideal for musical theatre.
Tom Weaver’s Gaston is well acted. His powerful voice and comic sense carried the scenes he was in. In his scenes with Lefou (Doug Weaver), Gaston’s sidekick, they worked well together, not only in their comic timing, but their physical slapstick, as well. The young Mr. Weaver is a highly talented comer.
The third main star, along with Belle and Gaston, is the Prince/Beast, both played by Caleb Thurston. Here is another fine actor with a superb voice. He effectively conveyed the pathos in the Beast’s lonely life. Then, as a relationship develops between the Beast and Belle, he is able to communicate to the audience his change of attitude.
I can’t stop without mentioning the three Silly Girls played by Amanda Allen, Kayla Sullivan and Tori Sullivan. These giddy girls are simply gaga over Gaston. They sigh and swoon whenever this pompous gent comes into view. They are delightful. At times, when they squeal, however, it’s a bit shrill. Perhaps their microphones need to be turned down a notch.
Also, sound-wise, there were times when the music rising from the orchestra pit overpowered the actors’ spoken dialogue. This may be difficult to modulate, but it should be worked on. Overall, the 13-member orchestra, directed by Ron Nunn, enhanced the professional quality and ambience of the show.
The crowd scenes were all splendid. Near the end of the first act, their rousing rendition of “Be Our Guest,” ended with a surprise resembling fireworks on the Fourth of July. All in all, the audience loved the show. The ShoeString Community Players have been producing shows for 25 years. This is their 26th musical, and undoubtedly one of their best to date.
This is an amazing and stunning community production, an entertainment treat you shouldn’t miss.
Only 6 shows left!
Today there was a critic review in the Columbia River Reader by Ned Piper. I thought I would share it:
A rousing, standing ovation exploded from an appreciative audience as the curtain rang down on an impressive opening night production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, staged at the Olmscheid Auditorium in St. Helens. Each and every actor, singer and musician contributed to the success of this musical treat. I’m continually amazed at the wealth of local talent we have in the Lower Columbia River region.
Director Lisa Bishop must be very proud of her cast, the orchestra and all the backstage workers who helped her mount this colorful production.
Her decision to raise the curtain on a blank scrim (a piece of fabric made of cheesecloth that covered the entire proscenium), then backlight the opening scene of the prince being transformed into a hideous beast by a scorned witch, was effective. There was no doubt that we were about to witness a fairy tale.
The painted backdrop gave a positive first impression, upheld throughout the play by clever, professional scenery. The scenes move effortlessly from location to location with just a few minor additions or the removal of certain pieces. Actors fully used the entire set, with its various elevations. With roughly 50 bodies on stage involved in complex dance routines, it was obvious that countless hours had gone into perfecting them. All the crowd scenes were animated and lively.
Belle (played by Abby Olson), while bookish and seemingly-aloof, is the most eligible young woman in the village. Her father Maurice (acted by Patrick Birkle), an unsuccessful inventor, is the village laughing stock. The town’s conceited “hunk” and blowhard, Gaston, played by Tom Weaver, is convinced that Belle will agree to marry him, but she is an independent young woman who has no interest in becoming Gaston’s wife. When Maurice gets lost in the woods and ends up in the castle inhabited by The Beast, he encounters a strange set of characters. Former aids to the Prince, they were transformed from humans into household items as part of the spell which changed the Prince into the Beast.
We have Lumiere (portrayed by Mike Judah), who is a candlestick; Cogsworth (Larry Ward) who’s become a grandfather clock; Mrs. Potts (Kate Knutson) as a teapot and her “chipped teacup” child, Chip (Sarah Thurston); Babette (Jenny Mason), a feather duster; and Madame de la Grande Bouche (Sandi Hess) who is an armoire. These hopeful “household items” see the possibilities of the Beast’s spell being broken if he can fall in love with, and be loved in return, by a woman. If this can happen, they will be restored to being human again.
Co-staring with the actors are the costumes. That they were rented for this production does not diminish their importance. They are cleverly devised and the actors use them well, with excellent comic effect. Mike Judah and Larry Ward, Lumiere and Cogsworth are very funny with their Abbott & Costello back and forth antics.
I previously mentioned the wealth of talent on display on the Olmscheid Auditorium stage. Not only is Abby Olson’s singing voice crisp and melodious, but she manages to convey authentic emotions through it. Her voice is ideal for musical theatre.
Tom Weaver’s Gaston is well acted. His powerful voice and comic sense carried the scenes he was in. In his scenes with Lefou (Doug Weaver), Gaston’s sidekick, they worked well together, not only in their comic timing, but their physical slapstick, as well. The young Mr. Weaver is a highly talented comer.
The third main star, along with Belle and Gaston, is the Prince/Beast, both played by Caleb Thurston. Here is another fine actor with a superb voice. He effectively conveyed the pathos in the Beast’s lonely life. Then, as a relationship develops between the Beast and Belle, he is able to communicate to the audience his change of attitude.
I can’t stop without mentioning the three Silly Girls played by Amanda Allen, Kayla Sullivan and Tori Sullivan. These giddy girls are simply gaga over Gaston. They sigh and swoon whenever this pompous gent comes into view. They are delightful. At times, when they squeal, however, it’s a bit shrill. Perhaps their microphones need to be turned down a notch.
Also, sound-wise, there were times when the music rising from the orchestra pit overpowered the actors’ spoken dialogue. This may be difficult to modulate, but it should be worked on. Overall, the 13-member orchestra, directed by Ron Nunn, enhanced the professional quality and ambience of the show.
The crowd scenes were all splendid. Near the end of the first act, their rousing rendition of “Be Our Guest,” ended with a surprise resembling fireworks on the Fourth of July. All in all, the audience loved the show. The ShoeString Community Players have been producing shows for 25 years. This is their 26th musical, and undoubtedly one of their best to date.
This is an amazing and stunning community production, an entertainment treat you shouldn’t miss.
Only 6 shows left!