***** Over the years, Jane and I have seen many productions of “Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”: the musical based on the animated version with a book by Linda Woolverton, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and music by Alan Menken. I recall the first touring company coming to Chicago and The Nederlander Theatre ( which at that time was named the Ford Oriental Theatre). Jane and I brought our twin granddaughters to their first Broadway In Chicago play. I believe they were 4 or 5 and loved the animated film. As it turned out, Caitlin slept thru Act one, and after intermission ( and each got a souvenir), she was wide awake, and Allison slept soundly. On the way home, both were up and each told the other what they missed- a wonderful memory. note They turn 29 this August.

Since that night, we have seen many versions of the show including some mini-versions that Marriott Theatre has done for little ones ( one hour cut version), and if you dig deeply on this site, you will find the reviews going back some 20 plus years. The latest version, now onstage at The Cadillac Palace is directed and choreographed by Matt West and is just starting a national tour, that will bring this sterling production to audiences all over. www.beautyandthebeastthemusical.com

Tonight’s opening was spectacular. While the cast appears a little smaller in numbers than previous productions, the talent of the major players and the ensemble is outstanding, making each musical number strong and drawing audience approval that was amazing. There is nothing like a “showstopper” in any production, and in this one “Be Our Guest” had people applauding, cheering and even a few on their feet, and this number is not even the first act finale. It was followed by the amazing “If I Can’t Love Her” sung by The Beast ( a powerful portrayal by Fergie L. Phillippe).

For those of you who do not know the story, “Beauty and the beast” tells us the story of a young prince who has a spell cast upon him and his kingdom. If he cannot find love , both to give and receive before all the petals fall off a roe, he will remain a Beast for eternity. The curse/spell also hits his staff as well. Each of them are turned into what they do. For example, Mrs. Potts ( ( deftly handled by Kathy Voytko) has become part woman/part teapot and her son Chip ( Levi Blaise Coleman is adorable) a cup. By the way, the technology of handling this feature is amazing. The cart holding the cup appears to be built to hold the actor, yet we only see his face. WELL DONE:

The other staff members, Lumiere ( a delightful performance by Danny Gardner) and Cogsworth (adorably played by Javier Ignacio) bring the pieces of the story together. They have become a clock and torches and fear they will never become human again. Babette ( Cameron Monroe Thomas) and Madame (Holly Ann Butler) are both adorable and can sing and dance with the best.

The lady that will become the one to change the Beast, the Beauty of “Beauty and the Beast” is Belle ( a terrific performance by Kyra Belle Johnson) who meets the Beast by accident. Her father, a crazy inventor goes off into the forest and ends up getting lost. He knocks at the castle door and is held captive by the Beast. Maurice, the father, is played by Kevin Ligon. I believe that this role has been somewhat reduced over the years to keep the play at 2 1/2 hours, after all, it is a family show. Belle rescues dad by allowing him to leave and she remains in his place. With her being held captive, the Beast can now concentrate on finding love and ending the curse.

Meanwhile, back home, Gaston , the local hero, braggart (played to perfection by Stephen Mark Lukas) has decided that he will marry Belle, despite her not wanting anything to do with him. He and his sidekick , LeFou (Harry Francis is quite funny) go after the Beast. There are many little scenes that are funny, touching and will appeal to the romance lovers. There is also a wonderful moral to the story in that getting to know what is inside a person is far more important than what they look like. It was also neat to hear Angela Lansbury’s voice during the prologue ( if you have seen the animated version of the story, she voiced Mrs. Potts and sang the wonderful title song “Beauty and the Beast”, of which  Ms Voytko did an amazing rendition ).

One of the beautiful parts of today’s musical theater is the addition of visuals thru projections and in this one they even had a dance number that was different as it was shot from above, reminding those of us who used to watch The Jackie Gleason Show called The June Taylor Dancers. They were very much like  the Rockettes. They did amazing numbers and the TV cameras had ways of showing us each leg movement. This show has the same situation. Can you tell if it is live or recorded?

This is a production that is worth taking the family to see. You say you have seen it before- I understand. Jane said the same thing, and guess what, she loved seeing it tonight and recommended it to a friend already.

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” will continue thru – Aug 2nd with performances as follows: