Some Lansing-ites were notable, the cherubic/motherly Stephanie Banghart as Mrs. Potts warmed our hearts with the title song. As Lefou, the impish Isaac Orr (of Cat in the Hat fame) was adorably abused by Austin Elieff who played Gaston, the bully you love to hate, with delightful egotism. The glamorous, talkative Madame de la Grande Bouche was Alexsandria Clift — and Claire Canfield was perfect as the beautiful, bookish, independent Belle. (You may remember her as the charming Gigi at Riverwalk years ago.)
Beast Troy Seyfert was appropriately untamed at the start but made an endearing transition with the help of smoke and mirrors. Speaking of mirrors, it took me awhile to figure out how Chip (Evan Worden) the teacup-head on a cart, could convincingly appear to have no body through most of the show.
Cogsworth (Michael Windnagle) and Lumiere (Vinnie Lindquist) were perfect foils for each other as the worrier and the romantic clock and candlestick. Babette (Alissa Britten) flirted and fluttered her feathers well. Belle’s Father, Michael Crawford, was eccentric and lovable - and looked cute with his weird log-chopping invention and its matching headpiece.
The line between costumes and set pieces was blurred with the amazing candlestick hands, clock, teapot, armoire, feather-duster, “enchanted” bodies these characters wore. Cheers to the large costume team and set team.
The group dances were show stoppers - like the Follies Bergere with dishes and cutlery and acrobatics. Kudos to Garrett Bradley and Erica Duffield.
Beauty and the Beast is pretty much sold out - but you STILL should call for reservations… in hopes they could add a performance? I’d say it could fill the house with at least one more! It continues next weekend, 8pm Fri/Sat and 3pm Sunday.
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