On Feb 3rd the Broadway across Canada production of Beauty and the Beast opened with roaring success at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. The audience was hooting, hollering and jumping to their feet as the lights dimmed on the final scene.
The Beast, played by Ryan Everett Wood, was exactly what the audience wanted. He was mean and gruff at the beginning and as the musical progressed the Beast’s human side started to shine through. Wood’s voice was rich and buttery…just as every audience member hoped it would be. I was especially impressed by the actor’s physical representation of the Beast; his movements were incredibly animal-like. Wood aptly brought the audience along as he made the transition from a rude, abrupt beast to a compassionate and caring human.
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
I must say that Gaston, played by Cameron Bond, was my favourite character. It was as thought Gaston walked off the Disney animator’s page and onto the QE stage! His timing, line delivery, egomaniacal performance were all perfect. He also had the muscles and voice to boot! I must also give a shout-out to the incredibly funny – and pratt-fall-guru – Jake Bridges who played Lefou, Gaston’s sidekick. That man must be covered head to toe in bruises at the end of each performance…but he sure was funny.
One of my favourite numbers was the beer-mug dance. The choreography was original and fun!
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
Belle, performed by Jillian Butterfield, had a truly lovely voice. When she appeared her yellow ball gown I think the entire audience held their breath. Ms Butterfield was a strong actress who carried the entire show very well.
The staging was elaborate, if fact at times the staging seemed to be a character itself. There were constant changes and variations made for nearly every scene. The special effects – strobe lights, confetti cannons, and smoke machines – made the performance even more dramatic.
The Broadway Across Canada production of Beauty and the Beast runs until February 8th. Tickets are still available. The show is 2.5 hours in length with one 20 minute intermission.
