Disney's Beauty and the Beast
A chandelier flickers to life and the familiar opening notes of “Belle” fill the theatre: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has arrived in town, transforming the animated classic into a lavish stage spectacle. The production leans into visual grandeur, with costumes that shimmer under the lights and set pieces that shift from provincial village to enchanted castle in a heartbeat. The cast moves through Alan Menken’s score with energy, from the raucous “Gaston” to the sweeping title ballad, while the Beast’s transformation scene draws audible gasps. There’s a sense of nostalgia in every detail, but the choreography and comic timing keep the story feeling fresh. Children watch wide-eyed as teapots and candlesticks dance, while adults catch sly jokes tucked between the lines. It’s a familiar tale, but the scale and theatricality make it feel newly magical.