The tale begins with the introduction by a narrator – usually a disembodied voice, but in Director Joey Landwehr’s production it is a middle-aged man (played by Andrew Ribner) with a streak of silver in his hair, telling us the story from the comfort of his armchair. It’s a narration that concludes when several hairy, beastly arms reach out from behind the curtain and drag him backstage, upon which the curtain rises on our story of an enchanted castle, its beast of a prince, and the brave beauty who has the power to break the spell if she can fall in love with a beast. 

Dorothy Guthrie is the beauty Belle, and she delivers an excellent performance as the intelligent and caring Belle with a marvelous singing voice that shines especially in her solo A Change in Me. Phillip Bowen is the Beast who nicely transitions from the selfish monster into a young man giddy with love and the new life Belle opens up to him. Trevor Bowles is hilarious as the cocky, uber-macho Gaston – the village’s hunter extraordinaire with lots of hair who makes a most memorable marriage proposal to a less-than-enchanted Belle. The trio’s last scene together is unique and darkly humorous. 

The enchanted castle is filled with lively household furnishings. Christopher Pineda plays the charismatic candelabra Lumiere with great flair. Jakob Hytken, currently wheelchair-bound, is a highly original riot as the uptight English clock Cogsworth, using his voice to great effect whether he is trying to get his master to say “please” or reacting to the fawning over by the four funny silly girls. Alice Cash is a bubbly teapot as Mrs. Potts, Tommy Twomey is a cute Chip, Adriana is the flirtatious feather duster Babette, and Brianna Oppenheimer is a total hoot as the opera-singing wardrobe. 

Performs March 9-25, 2007.

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre

~ Cast ~