StarStruck Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast: The Musical
By Hugo Vera
Photo by Rosaura Sandoval
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder at StarStruck Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast: The Musical. Based on the Broadway musical adaptation of the iconic 1991 animated Disney film of the same name, Directors Lori and Courtney Stokes’ local production offers joy, laughs and thrills for audience members of all ages.
Set in provincial France, the story follows of a young woman named Belle and her well-meaning but hapless father Maurice. When Maurice is unexpectedly taken prisoner at a castle belonging to a former prince turned into a hideous monster (after being cursed by an enchantress for his selfish ways), Belle frees her father by taking his place as the Beast’s prisoner. As Belle and the Beast grow closer, Belle’s unwelcome suitor (a pugnacious hunter named Gaston) looks to end their courtship and force Belle’s hand in marriage. All the while, Belle and the Beast embark on a journey to find love and the power to lift the curse imposed on the fallen prince and his subjects.
The crux of the production are undoubtedly the performances of Belle (played by Gracie Wagner) and the Beast/Prince (played by Neil Basu). Wagner and Basu not only have the on-stage chemistry needed to tell a romance story of this scale, but their renditions of the musical’s songs elevate the viewing experience. The duo’s renditions of tracks (both from the musical and the animated feature film) such as “Belle,” “Something There” and “A Change in Me” easily convey the show’s themes of hope, redemption and the importance of inner-beauty.
There are no protagonists without an equally effective antagonist poised opposite of them, and such a feat is expertly accomplished through Christopher Apy’s performance as Gaston. With the use of muscle-padding, physical comedy and on-stage swagger, Apy’s Gaston is simultaneously repulsive and charismatic as the hunter’s hubris and antiquated world views ultimately get the better of him. Complementing this performance is AJ Torrado’s depiction of Gaston’s sidekick LeFou. The duo of Apy and Torrado and their impeccable comedic timing provide much-needed comic relief that provides balance to some of the more surreal and bittersweet aspects of the story.
Other noteworthy acting, dancing and singing performances include those of (but not limited to), Russell Lym as Lumiere, Ishaan Wankhade as Cogsworth, Lici Carey as Mrs. Potts and Araceli Herrera as Chip. This ensemble of characters representing the cursed subjects of the Beast’s castle (who find themselves turned into personified versions of household items) utilize a wide range of choreographed dances and immense vocal talent for larger-than-life performances. Lym and Wankhade’s rendition of “Be Our Guest” and Carey’s singing of the penultimate “Beauty and the Beast” track are stand-alone triumphs that are elevated even higher by an army of skilled background dancers and stagehands.
Much recognition is also due to the set design whose quality equals (if not exceeds) that of its Broadway counterparts. The use of massive painted backdrops, pyrotechnics and double-sided rotating set pieces assist in transporting the audience from the quiet village life in provincial France to the Beast’s imposing Gothic castle before ultimately concluding with the castle’s decadent interior during the finale.
For fans of the 1991 animated film, the 2017 live-action adaptation or any other iteration, StarStruck Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast: The Musical is sure to capture the hearts and minds of all who attend.
StarStruck Threatre’s Beauty and Beast: The Musical
Friday, July 19 – Sunday, Aug 4
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm
Smith Center at Ohlone College
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
Tickets, pricing and more information: https://starstrucktheatre.org/
Tickets: $35 adult, $30 senior 65+, $25 child/student through high school
A very accurate and well-deserved review. StarStruck Theater is hands down the BEST youth theater in the bay. We as a community are so fortunate to have a local theater company of this quality in Fremont!
Unfortunately though, the TCV reviewer failed to mention Starstruck’s venerable music director Nancy Godfrey, and the amazing quality, LIVE 18-piece orchestra she conducts just below the stage.
This is an enormous oversight, and it’s definitely not the first time that Starstruck’s music director and musicians have been totally overlooked in your reviews.
The talented orchestra are all members of the local community. Some play their instruments as a hobby, though many are professional musicians or music educators themselves. They each devote countless hours of their personal time to rehearsing for and with the incredible young performers for every Starstruck mainstage production. Nancy Godfrey herself also music directs the performers from day one – every note you hear sung on stage was taught and guided by her.
And, as you may have guessed, there is no musical theater without the musicians. 🙂 Thank you!!
Thank you for addressing this in your comment, Martha. The elements besides the actors are always important, and the orchestra and director are especially critical for a musical.