Home subscribe manage Las Vegas Review-Journal
  Jobs Cars Homes Shopping Travel Weddings Golf Best of Las Vegas Photo   Search:

RECENT EDITIONS
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

Living
Jun. 10, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

'Beauty and the Beast' doesn't skimp on dazzle

By ANTHONY DEL VALLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL
REVIEW

What: "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST"

When: 8 P.M. WEDNESDAYS-SATURDAYS (THROUGH JUNE 21)

Where: SPRING MOUNTAIN RANCH STATE PARK

Tickets: $10-$15 (594-7529)

Grade: B-

There's something at the core missing from Super Summer Theatre/P.S. Productions' "Beauty and the Beast," but it's frequently easy to ignore. What is there is often stunning.

Director Phil Shelburne gives us a fairly traditional telling of the Disney musical, about (does anyone not know?) a mean, handsome prince-turned-beast who must fall in love (and be loved back) in order to break the spell that has made him ugly.

Newsvine Digg Fark Technorati reddit StumbleUpon del.icio.us Slashdot Propeller Mixx Furl Twitter MySpace Facebook Google Bookmarks Yahoo! Bookmarks Windows Live Favorites Ask MyStuff myAOL Favorites

Most Popular Stories
  • ELMO'S STILL HERE: Down but not out
  • Busting Out
  • LIFE ON THE COUCH: Socialite Kardashian is reality shows' common denominator
  • Coloring between the lines
  • HUMAN MATTERS: We think a little too much about ourselves on Facebook
  • Tell us about special Christmas ornament
  • MIKE WEATHERFORD: Marketing makes a difference in Vegas
  • LIFE ON THE COUCH: 'Terminator' series, 'One Tree Hill' share common threads
  • Flexing His Muscles
  • NFL FOOTBALL: LINE UP FOR A NEW SEASON



    • Shelburne -- thanks in no small part to designers Evan A. Bartoletti (set), Jay LeDune (lights), Frederic Pineau (costumes) and some rental companies -- has bathed the production in a visual opulence that we rarely see in community theater. I don't know how he affords it, but he's one of the few directors at Spring Mountain Ranch who seems to understand the importance of technical dazzle in outdoor musicals.

    But this "Beauty" isn't just a technical triumph. Scene after scene is full of surprise talents. Supporting roles have gone to performers who have the charisma and skills to single-handily carry a show.

    Steve Huntsman is broad and precise as the love-stricken candlestick. Jennifer De La Torre manages a combo of lunacy and romanticism as his sweetheart, Babette. Shannon Cook makes vanity likable as the talkative Madame de la Grande Bouche. And John Wennstrom brings dignity and warmth to his character of the walking clock.

    Although there are many individual "star" moments, the production especially soars during choral numbers. The company singing and dancing numbers (with spirited choreography by Colby Baker) are often breathtaking in sweep and power.

    The one fault, though, is a biggie. There is simply no chemistry between this beauty and beast.

    Al Sevyn Mindoro doesn't have the commanding stage presence that a leading actor needs. And Kari Curletto, while an exceptional vocalist, smothers the role of Belle in a generic smile.

    The two are so plastic that their relationship has no journey. You don't see the slow progression of their change in attitude toward one another -- and that's what the whole play is supposed to be about. Even given the pair's limitations as performers, it seems obvious that the real problem is that Shelburne didn't take as much care with the arc of the action as he did to the show's look.

    The lack of real conflict makes the 2-hour 20-minute musical feel longer than it is. But until the fatigue sets in, you are likely to spend a good deal of time muttering wows.

    Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.



    Leave Your Comment 5 Reader Comments
    Terms & Conditions
    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The reviewjournal.com does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please notify the web editor.

    Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 48 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once.
    Current Word Count:

    Gabe wrote on June 11, 2008 11:44 PM: I just saw it. Some of the reviews are crazy. Yes, the actors are not quite up to Broadway standards, but they did a great job. I though the Beast was fine - it is very difficult to growl through so many scenes, and his voice was good as well. People expect too much for 10-15$.

    My only complaint was with the audience. Lots of kids (of course) and lots of noise as well. When the actors are on stage, try to be quiet.


    Michael Rennie wrote on June 11, 2008 12:00 PM: "rental companies" ???? There were a couple of fog machines rented, but the entire set and every costume was built for and belongs to P.S. Productions.
    Mr. Del Valle knew this prior to his the writing of his review.


    Ginger Pie wrote on June 10, 2008 01:52 PM: I agree that Belle was completely lackluster - and I wouldn't dare give her the title of exceptional vocalist. She had talent, but no skill. Her complete and total refusal to use her chest or belt voice was a total detriment to the role and she had no power. Beast was also totally unbeastly - he had no characterization. And yes - ZERO chemistry between them.

    You have to wonder, when many of the other roles were so wonderful, was it neglect by the director or poor casting (I heard something like 50 women auditioned strictly for Belle and this was the best he could find? She was pretty and skinny, that's for sure).

    Despite the poor leads, the show was enjoyable because of the other principle actors. The ensemble, though, also seemed to be full of pretty girls with blank faces, though the guys delivered. I completely agree with the evaluation of the 4 Enchanted Objects. He left out Mrs Potts because she was totally plastic and uninspiring as well - in a role that deserves SO much warmth!


    RBW wrote on June 10, 2008 11:23 AM: I don't have a clue who Tom Pollitt is but judging from his posting I would venture a guess that if he were a character in a 1940s movie melodrama he would be played by Clifton Webb (anybody seen "Laura"?). I know most people today wouldn't know Clifton Webb from Charlotte's Webb but c'est la vie.


    Tom Pollitt wrote on June 10, 2008 10:43 AM: Once again, The Big D is complete off target. The spectacle was there, but it was spectacle on a Vegas community theatre level. Not enough to make this B & B fly. The enchanted people did keep what was there together. But, the choreography was mundane and too static to make the the large numbers seem alive and dazzling. The Beast? No. No chops, no substance, no chemisty. Belle was not served by Shelburne. In fact, based on other PS shows I've seen, I felt Shelburne was lazy, uninspired, and disappointing. The transformation sequences? That's all they had?! I've seen more splendor in a youth level production. In short, the story was flat, the enchanted people worked their butts off, the ensemble needed to be larger (at least in quality), no chemistry between the leads, get a new Beast...Oh, and again, let the D go, please!