BWW Reviews: NETworks BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Passably Pleases Return Audiences, Truly Impresses New Audiences

Fast forward to 2012 and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is having a strong homecoming with NETworks’ Fourth National Tour of the show. A majority of the original Broadway creative team reconvened for this production—Rob Roth (Director), Matt West (Choreographer), Stanley A. Meyer (Scenic Design), Ann Hould-Ward (Costumes), Natasha Katz (Lighting Design), David H. Lawrence (Hair Designer), Rick Sordelet (Fight Direction), and Jim Steinmeyer (Illusion Design). The new sets created by Stanley A. Meyer are incredibly streamlined and more travel budget conscious; however, they only appear hokey and cheap during the library scene. Ann Hould-Ward’s costuming has been reimagined as well, noticeably losing their grandeur in numbers like “Be Our Guest.” The cuts to the score and book include “No Matter What,” which has been replaced with a dialog scene between Belle and her father about Belle’s mother, “Maison de Lunes,” and the battle scene between the villagers and the enchanted objects. Of the three, the only moment that I actually felt myself missing was the battle scene. This current tour is not as grandiose as the world première of the show, but it still entertains and delights the audience with ease. Moreover, it retains some sensibility of a Disney Theatricals spectacle, with confetti cannons during “Be Our Guest” and a nice transformation sequence in the show’s finale.

Rob Roth and Matt West have directed and choreographed an excellent cast in this production. A large number of the cast (17 from what I hear) are performing in the show for the first time in Houston, and it does not show. This cast is sufficiently rehearsed and appears to have been doing the show for quite some time. I found it difficult to connect emotionally to the plot during the first act, but Rob Roth’s direction for the second act is both heartbreakingly beautiful and sentimentally stunning when needed. Under his direction, the evening’s most memorable moments include “Human Again” and “If I Can’t Love Her (Reprise).” “Be Our Guest” is Act I’s big showstopper and it entertains with the highlight of the number being Jason Wise's performance as the carpet; however, Matt West’s best choreography shines in the metal beer stein dance during Act I’s rousing rendition of “Gaston.”

As Belle, Hilary Maiberger is simply fantastic. Her voice is crystal clear and well controlled. She adroitly conveys emotions, especially when playing stubborn, heartbroken, loyal, and loving.

Darick Pead’s Beast is more a spoiled brat than a tortured soul, and I found myself questioning why he was so whiney. In the long run, he really sells the parable of the spoiled prince turned into hideous beast to the audience. Likewise, it seemed that I was in the minority with my qualms about his portrayal. As a singer, he is good. Act I’s “If I Can’t Love Her” showcased great depth and emotion, especially in the final third of the song. Act II’s “If I Can’t Love Her (Reprise)” was spectacular and gorgeous, causing tears to well up in the audience’s eyes.

Gaston, played by Matt Farcher, was perfectly conceited and full of himself. His voice sounded great. During the first act his microphone kept making a scratching noise and sounded muted, which was an annoyance. Despite this, Matt Farcher performed adeptly and was convincing in his role.

David is a Special Education teacher with a passion and love for the performing arts. He aspires to become a full time theatre critic and/or professor of Drama as Literature.

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