WHAT: Beauty and the Beast

WHERE: Rochester Opera House

BLURB: A Family Winner   

HIGH POINT: Satisfying Characters, Impressive Voices 

This one is easy-peasy, so let's get right to it. 

ROH's Beauty and the Beast will delight the most avid child fan and  thoroughly satisfy the adult theater lover. They nail it.

The formula to success here is simple. Director/Choreographer Taryn Herman has cast each person perfectly, drawn each character deftly, and keeps the action dynamic. 

Production visuals (costuming handled by Amanda Dane-Bowman, lighting design by Rachel Neubauer and Jo Meallo, and set by Hannah Joy Hopkins) are all on point, even for the watchful eye of the "on-repeat, discerning, munchkin movie viewer" (adults in their lives completely understand). The one drawback - some wigs could use work. The upside is there's an audible gasp when Belle appears in her traditional yellow gown. 

Throughout this summer, singing voices on the seacoast have been on fire, and this show is no exception. Beauty's vocals soar with color, character and often with an individual quality. It's a magnificent collection under the astute direction of Music Director Patrick Dorow.

Nutshell outline: (for the near impossible reality there's someone who's never heard the tale "as old as time.") 

Belle (Lindsey Brunelle), the daughter of Maurice (Scott H. Severance), an eccentric inventor, is a rare breed in her town - an intelligent, discerning woman.

Marcus Provost as Gaston & Heidi Gagne as Lefou (Courtesy Photo)

She's favored by Gaston (Marcus Provost), a rather foolish misogynist and much sought after manly-man, who is determined to have her as his wife. Belle is having none of it.

Meanwhile, after getting lost in the woods, Maurice seeks shelter in a castle. The Beast (Christian Arnold), a cursed prince, and master of the enchanted castle (where other inhabitants are slowly evolving into objects, thanks to his selfishness) imprisons him.

As the tale is told, Belle takes her father's place as captive, so he's set free. Things go poorly, then improve, dad is in trouble, things take a worse turn, a jealous Gaston hunts the Beast with evil intent, and finally, of course, all ends well.

This Disney-fied musical version of the classic tale features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton. 

Its lovely score features catchy, and upbeat tunes, along with moving and tender ones; "Belle" and "Be Our Guest" are two of the more familiar. 

This cast truly does this magical world justice.

Brunelle's performance as Belle is pure magic. Her grace and spunk is everything the role calls for, as is her bright, clear, impressive singing voice. She's every little kid's (and all-age arts lover's) dream come true. 

Arnold is an imposing and splendid Beast. His speaking and singing voice are perfect, infused with just the right pitch, gravitas and gravel. The same goes for Arnold's overall performance, which gives the perfect balance to the character's emotional moves. 

And so it goes. Provost, with a load of swagger, and classic posturing and posing is absolutely Gaston in the flesh. The performance is enhanced all the more by his rich, pleasing voice. 

Addy Harris as Chip, Abigail Weinel as Mrs. Potts & Chris Bradley as Cogsworth (Courtesy Photo)

The much-loved enchanted castle figures are delightful in every way. To a person - Brad Reinking as Lumiere, Chris Bradley as Cogsworth, Dru Daniels as Madame de la Grand Bouche, Ashley Tsimtsos as Babette and Addy Harris as Chip - they deliver a fairytale version of their character. And the voices? Just more of a good thing.

Abigail Weinel as Mrs. Potts deserves a special note for delivering the show's iconic song "Beauty and the Beast" in true storybook fashion. Her voice is simply divine - attractive, and  controlled.  

Severance's Maurice is delightfully ditzy, while Heidi Gagne's Lefou personifies the goofy, and dimwitted cartoon character. Again both add marvelous voices.

Kudos also to the Silly Girls, Amanda Lococo, Molly Scott and Reegan Camire, and the rest of this 24 member cast.

ROH's production of Beauty and the Beast lives up to expectations. It visually delivers the fantastical world, but more important its characters are vibrantly realized, and gratifying. And it's worth mentioning again - it features incredible voices... So yes, this one is worth your precious discretionary time and funds.

WHERE: Rochester Opera House, (Rochester City Hall)

31 Wakefield Street Rochester, New Hampshire

WHEN: through Aug. 25

COST: $26 to $32

CONTACT/INFO: 603-335-1992  or www.RochesterOperaHouse.com

IMPORTANT NOTE: Buy tickets DIRECT from the venue's website.  Outside ticket resellers are adding exorbitant fees to ticket prices.

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