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Lumiere, Case Middleton, sings a song during dress rehearsal of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Monday at Jacoby Auditorium.
For many years the cultural high point of any summer in Roseburg has been the annual big musical production at Umpqua Community College.
Fans will remember vividly every one that they were fortunate enough to see: “Peter Pan,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The King and I” (to name just a few).
All have been Broadway-quality productions, pure entertainment at its best.
Director Dean Remick seems each year to raise the bar. Every summer we ask ourselves, How can Remick top this next year? No problem! This summer’s “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” which opened Thursday to a wildly enthusiastic crowd at Jacoby Auditorium on the UCC campus, takes its place as the new standard to beat — outstanding theater and great entertainment, with professional-quality acting, singing, music, sets and costumes.
Everyone knows the story, of course: A handsome young prince is cursed by an enchantress for his rudeness. Not only is he transformed into a disfigured beast, but all his servants are condemned to change gradually into household objects: clocks, teapots, cutlery, candlesticks. Only if the prince can find someone to love him will the curse be lifted.
Merely seeing how a cast of 60 can be coordinated into a unified team effort is an awesome experience. But that’s only the beginning! This classic fairy tale romance makes unusual demands on everyone involved, and this crew comes through beautifully.
The costuming challenge alone would daunt any lesser wardrobe staff, not only with the elaborate period dress, but the problem of costuming half the cast as household objects. But Jere Bartley and her crew pull it off magnificently, to the point that the costumes almost outshine the actors.
Fans will remember vividly every one that they were fortunate enough to see: “Peter Pan,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The King and I” (to name just a few).
All have been Broadway-quality productions, pure entertainment at its best.
Director Dean Remick seems each year to raise the bar. Every summer we ask ourselves, How can Remick top this next year? No problem! This summer’s “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” which opened Thursday to a wildly enthusiastic crowd at Jacoby Auditorium on the UCC campus, takes its place as the new standard to beat — outstanding theater and great entertainment, with professional-quality acting, singing, music, sets and costumes.
Everyone knows the story, of course: A handsome young prince is cursed by an enchantress for his rudeness. Not only is he transformed into a disfigured beast, but all his servants are condemned to change gradually into household objects: clocks, teapots, cutlery, candlesticks. Only if the prince can find someone to love him will the curse be lifted.
Merely seeing how a cast of 60 can be coordinated into a unified team effort is an awesome experience. But that’s only the beginning! This classic fairy tale romance makes unusual demands on everyone involved, and this crew comes through beautifully.
The costuming challenge alone would daunt any lesser wardrobe staff, not only with the elaborate period dress, but the problem of costuming half the cast as household objects. But Jere Bartley and her crew pull it off magnificently, to the point that the costumes almost outshine the actors.
And the set, designed by the talented young duo of Justus and Melody Mackintosh, is just as awesome, wonderfully conveying the dark mystery of the enchanted castle, and moving easily between the forest, the tavern, the village, and Beauty’s cottage.
Perfect in the role of Belle (the “Beauty”) is young Ruth Heald, with talent, beauty, and a marvelous singing voice. She reminded me of Judy Garland as Dorothy in “Oz.”
The cast in supporting roles turned in performances that were every bit as good.
Each character was different, entertaining, and professional, without exception.
Jason Wilkes as the Beast, Fletcher Lanning as the arrogant Gaston, Bob Pfeuffer as his toady LeFou, Case Middleton as the candlestick Lumiere, Hugh Heinrichsen as Cogsworth the clock, Audrey Adams as the teapot, and tiny Molly Morhain as the teacup. Space unfortunately prevents listing all of the supporting actors and their achievements. But each one deserved the standing ovations from the audience at curtain call.
Jason Heald as musical director led the large orchestra to get the most out of a pleasant score. The choreography of the scenes with large groups was a joy to watch, thanks to choreographer Katherine Howard.
Rather than being a somber, depressing story, the Disney script glitters with humor, wit and lively action. And the moral of the story comes through gently but clearly: Real beauty is what is inside, not external.
We must learn love in order to be human. Adults and children will enjoy this show. It will be the memorable highlight of the summer of 2006 in Roseburg.
Many thanks to Dr. John Unruh (Roseburg’s unfailing patron of the arts), to the Oregon Arts Commission, and to KEZI-TV for their generous financial support of this show.
<i>Richard Packham of Dixonville is a retired college professor active in local community theater for many years who writes theater reviews for The News-Review.</i>
Perfect in the role of Belle (the “Beauty”) is young Ruth Heald, with talent, beauty, and a marvelous singing voice. She reminded me of Judy Garland as Dorothy in “Oz.”
The cast in supporting roles turned in performances that were every bit as good.
Each character was different, entertaining, and professional, without exception.
Jason Wilkes as the Beast, Fletcher Lanning as the arrogant Gaston, Bob Pfeuffer as his toady LeFou, Case Middleton as the candlestick Lumiere, Hugh Heinrichsen as Cogsworth the clock, Audrey Adams as the teapot, and tiny Molly Morhain as the teacup. Space unfortunately prevents listing all of the supporting actors and their achievements. But each one deserved the standing ovations from the audience at curtain call.
Jason Heald as musical director led the large orchestra to get the most out of a pleasant score. The choreography of the scenes with large groups was a joy to watch, thanks to choreographer Katherine Howard.
Rather than being a somber, depressing story, the Disney script glitters with humor, wit and lively action. And the moral of the story comes through gently but clearly: Real beauty is what is inside, not external.
We must learn love in order to be human. Adults and children will enjoy this show. It will be the memorable highlight of the summer of 2006 in Roseburg.
Many thanks to Dr. John Unruh (Roseburg’s unfailing patron of the arts), to the Oregon Arts Commission, and to KEZI-TV for their generous financial support of this show.
<i>Richard Packham of Dixonville is a retired college professor active in local community theater for many years who writes theater reviews for The News-Review.</i>
IF YOU GO ...
WHAT: Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”
WHERE: Jacoby Auditorium, 1140 Umpqua College Road, Umpqua Community College, Winchester WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today, Saturday and Aug. 3, 4 and 5 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 6. TICKETS: $10 each at Hanson Jewelers in Roseburg, While Away Books, Sutherlin Drug, the UCC Fine Arts Office and at the door if available. INFORMATION: 957-4502 |
