Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Takes Over the Denver Center

Beauty and the Beast, a "tale as old as time," has landed at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The beloved Disney musical adaptation, based on the studio's animated 1991 Best Picture Oscar nominee, still has the ability to enchant an audience of children. And, apparently, plenty of parents or kids at heart, too.

A lot of that is credit to an engaging cast who pulls honest adult emotions from the Disney show's broad humor and cartoon roots. Leading the charge is Brooke Quintana as the bookworm Belle and Sam Hartley, her furry Prince Charming. Quintana is delightful, with an endearing level of sass and a pretty face; however, she did have some projection issues, which made it hard to hear, even sitting in the fourth row. Hartley produces the perfect balance of menace and charming silliness that Belle brings out of him. His singing is also beautifully poignant on If I Can't Love Her, the showstopper which closes the first act.

Not to be forgotten, Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek's turn as the antler loving meathead Gaston was such a perfect throwback to the 1991 animated film, it was appealingly familiar. And his sidekick, Lefou, played by Matt Dasilva, was a favorite amongst the children in the audience with his prat falls and over the top antics. Also worth mentioning is the multiple members of the ensemble within the Be Our Guest number, a festive kitchenware extravaganza. The entire number was nothing more than irresistible entertainment.

Stanley A. Meyer effectively uses a pop-up book design for the set, and the explosive pyrotechnics here and there are a rousing touch. Ann Hould-Ward's costume design was a perfect balance of throwback to the film and something you would see in an old fashioned fairytale book. And the reveal of Belle in her Gold Ball gown made every little girl, and some big girls in the audience gasp in awe.

Beauty and the Beast plays at the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through June 12th. For tickets, call 303.893.4100 or visit DenverCenter.org.

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