BWW Reviews: Synetic Theater Crafts Visually Stunning Adaptiation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

As a growing number of fairy tale films are released, it only makes sense that theatres would take on the challenge as well. Synetic Theater, located steps away from the Crystal City Metro, has chosen to adapt BEAUTY AND THE BEAST for their stage, using a mix of narration, shadows, music and movement. For the most part, they've adapted it well.

If you're eyeing the show and expecting the beloved Disney movie or tour, this varies from that plotline quite a bit. BEN and PETER CUNIS provide a script involving back story into more characters, and a much darker underlying theme. It gives you goosebumps, and makes you think about just what draws you into these stories in the first place.

Long before the love story we all know, a girl of the woods, Emmerane, falls for a prince. After his family discovers the pair, the prince accuses her of sorcery, and his family hunts her and burns her at the stake. Her heartbroken spirit returns as a witch, and casts a spell on the prince and a red rose. The prince must find true love before the rose dies, or he will die as lost and miserable as his captor. After many years, his only hope comes in the form of a merchant's favorite daughter. But will it actually save him?

This is my first Synetic production, and I must say that they put their heart and soul into the visual aspects of the production. Overall, the show is creepy and beautiful, dark and yet endearing.

Set Designer DANIEL PINHA gives a multi-dimensional environment, extending the prince's prison of a forest out into the audience. Fabric is draped everywhere, and a series of ramps allow for levels. A screen mostly remains in the center, allowing for transitions and for the story to go multiple places that would be harder without the clever use of shadows. Shadow Puppet Designer ZANA GANKHUYANG is brilliant with use of scale and color, however, some of the progressions felt superfluous in relation to the story. Costumes by KENDRA RAI successfully incorporate an array of colors, patterns and textures, which meld well with their surroundings, especially when the actor is supposed to be part of the set.

As you may have already gathered, this is an incredibly ambitious show. It has a number of light and sound cues, musical interludes, and set changes, which can become problematic in any new production. There were several times where a sound cue didn't sync up (a slap, for example) or set pieces needed to be moved slightly more. The sound levels varied throughout the show, and occasionally it was difficult to hear Emmerane over the music, which is a concern when she is the only speaking part. My hope is that, as the show continues past previews and opening, it will become more of a continuous, gelled effort.

The actors in this show successfully combine into a tight ensemble. RENATA VEBERYTE LOMAN gives us a wicked Emmerane, who shows heartbreak, evil and humor as needed with a consistently dark vibe. VATO TSIKURUSHVILLI bounds about the stage effortlessly as the Beast, and turns a dopey idiot into a likeable companion over the course of the story. IRINA KAVSADZE gives a sweet, determined Belle, contrasting her foolish sisters gracefully.

Overall, this production is a lovely, in-depth journey into all parts of the story of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. While it struggles with the technical components of the production, it is still a show to see. I look forward to attending more of Synetic Theater's productions.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST runs through January 11th at Synetic Theater in Crystal City, VA. The show runs about an hour and forty minutes, with no intermission. It is targeted to family audiences, however, my recommendation would be ages 10 and up, as there are scenes of violence, and some characters that could scare younger children. For more information, visit the production page.

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