The promo online focuses on the father-daughter relationship. The original tale subordinates the father-daughter relationship to the Beauty-Beast relationship. And this production shifts the focus back and forth.
Director Kevin Miller is right to describe the audience he has in mind for this makeover of “Beauty and the Beast” as children and adults.
Kids can get a kick out of the fairy-tale love affair; adults, particularly dads with daughters, can savor the uncomplicated innocence of the Belle-George mutual admiration society.
The music and lyrics by Miller and Clay Zambo, the book by Charles Way, the cast, staging and everything else about this production support the double-mindedness start to finish.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and “Honor thy father” shine through from Angelica Duncan’s Belle.
As George Godwin, the father who doesn’t always know best but keeps his heart in the right place, you can’t top Sean Mitchell.
A scarier, more tortured Beast than Adrian Cerrato’s, no theatergoer can hope for. Cerrato’s makes you suffer.
Sara Trowbridge’s Cassandra is a sister’s jealousy incarnate. There is something sinister about Cindy Whiston’s Housekeeper. Cameo appearances by Matthew Gilbert in the double role of Daniel and Jan round out this basically solid cast.
Special effects, audio and visual, work but might scare tots in spots. The pace is brisk, sometimes stepped up a little too fast. I found the climactic moment to be a little anticlimactic. A little more punch wouldn’t hurt.
Overall, there is something for everybody. As for the double-mindedness, you decide. All I am sure of is, this “Beauty and the Beast” is not just for kids.
Reactions? Comments? Email Dale Burrows at grayghost7@comcast.net or entertainment@weeklyherald.com.
‘Beauty and the Beast’
WHEN: Through May 27
WHERE: Second Story Repertory Theatre, 16587 NE 74th St., Redmond
TICKETS: $10, 425-881-6777 or < ahref=”http://www.secondstoryrep.org”>www.secondstoryrep.org
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