Belle means beautiful. The name so aptly describes not only the heroine of Beauty and the Beast but also Heather Beirne, who portrays her and sings so beautifully in Golden Apple's enchanting production. Because the story's so well known, suspense lies in how it will unfold. Director Ben Turoff produces pleasure with every "pleat" -- from the posturing of Belle's unwanted suitor, conceited Gaston (boisterously bragging Stephen John Day), to the Beast learning to be a gentleman toward her and his servants. (David Haverty is so appealing as he struggles to behave and be optimistic.) Outstanding among Disney's added "real" characters, Gaston's lackey Lefou gets vaudeville's-not-dead-yet treatment from J. Paul Wargo, tumbling and tripping up with abandon. All members of the Beast's palace staff, doomed to be completely inanimate objects unless their master's spell is broken, elicit compassion and laughs.
As time goes by under the watchful Cogsworth (funny Michael Dayton), Xander Chauncey's bright Lumiere pairs well with Charlene Clark's saucy maid, Babette. Melliss Kenworthy's sweet version of the title song is a logical continuation of her disposition as Mrs. Potts. She's a porcelain-pretty teapot with a son who's cutely "Chip"-er (played by three boys in seqential performances) , though imprisoned in a teacup.
Lisa Rock is believable as former opera star Madame de la Grande Bouche turned into an armoire and finally returned in diva's armor. Not just any Doormat, Annemarie LaTulip somersaults and whips about with every good wind. As Belle's father Maurice, William Sevedge arouses sympathy when captured. As the evil Monsieur D'Arque, who would put the Beast away in conspiracy with Gaston, Kenneth C. S. Nelson ogles the prospects like an ogre. Three silly girls from the town -- Samantha Barrett, Robin Simpson, and Jessica Gordon-- contrast with Belle by always giggling, never being studious, and encouraging Gaston's conceit by gushing over him. As a bookseller, Berry Ayers promotes reading to Belle, just as the script does to audiences...another plus.
Scenes at the Apple have never moved more quickly, quietly and with such appropriate forms and color or shade as in this fairy tale. John Visser and his musicians provide the sumptuous sound. As a narrative accompanied by cartoon-slides suitably and artistically introduced the story, songs like "Be My Guest" (elaborately sung, danced, paraded to), "Human Again," "A Change in Me," and "Transformation" make for an engaging, satisfying whole.
