The city of Gilroy Recreation Department and the Gilroy Children’s Theatre, led by director Hillary Little, have brought the Disney musical production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. to Gilroy High School Theatre. Fifty-plus kids 6 to 16 gather and have as much fun as the audience. Mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles and grandparents in the audience whoop it up and support the kids in a formative theatrical adventure.
The delightful animated characters have made the transition from screen to stage—from the live talking head of Chip the Boy Teacup, to Lumiere, the lovable Maurice Chavellier-type candelabra with candles for his hands, to Cogsworth the intellectual clock, to the opera diva turned into a wardrobe, to Gaston the egotistical suitor and Chip’s mother, a teapot always ready to serve and sing.
Belle (Brianna Pember) is the spunky, lovely Beauty; she and the Prince/ Beast (Tyler Dale) delivers with pleasant voices and carry well through the performance. The show stealers are the “Silly Girls” who flirt with Gaston. Their timing brings the best laughs in the play.
Hillary Little’s direction is the key. Everything is done tongue-in-cheek and no one projects taking themselves too seriously. It works; children and adults see a fresh spin on an old story and find themselves having a grand time with familiar characters.
Costumes for this production are excellent. The Beast’s wig and make-up are particularly well done. The songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice were delivered with great enthusiasm.
‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’
Gilroy High School Theatre, 750 W. 10th St, Gilroy
Performances through July 24
Tickets available at the door, or by email:
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