Review of Prana’s Beauty and the Beast

Although I just saw professional actors putting on a one hour show of Beauty and the Beast at Disney World, I would be hard pressed to say the enthusiasm level there was any higher there than it was at Millis High School Saturday. These young performers in Prana retold the tale spectacularly. The show opened with the four narrators (Ruby Smith, Grace Freeman, Samantha Reed, Vivian Carter) who spoke clearly and set the stage throughout the story. Grace Freeman also doubled as the Enchantress who casts a spell on the heartless prince (Aster Kris), who then becomes the Beast. Caroline Mulik develops this character very well, from an angry monster to a gentle man who learns to love, be loved, and sing eloquently about it.

Belle, played beautifully by Lauren Conder, has an excellent singing voice and great stage presence. She dreams of adventure and is considered odd by the townspeople around her. The boorish, conceited Gaston, played by Nolan Doherty, is determined to marry her, but she has too much spunk to settle for being his little wife, and their duet about this gives Nolan a chance to show he can be both handsome and oafish at the same time. He and his comic sidekick LeFou (Tim Conder) make for some great laughs together. For instance, when someone comments about it being more than they can bear, LeFou jumps into Gaston’s arms, crying “a bear!” Belle’s father, Maurice (Graham Lemieux) as an eccentric inventor, also gets a good laugh for his crazy glasses. He captures the real fear a father would have at seeing his daughter in danger as well. The silly girls, played by Kaitlyn Hoffey, Gabi Boucher, Rosie Foley, Makayla Kemmerer, Aarwen Paul and Kelsey O’Keefe, are always fawning over Gaston with their pretty dresses and flirtatious ways. The other townspeople, from the baker to the wolves, (Aisling Ross, Gwen Rosen, Karter O’Keefe, Jack McGrath, Kendall Heighington, Claire Puglia, Lauren DeVlaam, Alex Thomas, Sophia Chikkerer, Adam White, Violet Guenon, Frances Andrade, Marigold McMann, Caroline Dean, Winslow Friend) played numerous parts each. Their changes in costume and their changes in demeanor, as they went from happy householders to a vicious mob, were quite convincing.

The characters at the castle were most enchanting. Emmet Doherty nearly stole the show as Lumiere, the talking candlestick. His French accent, delightfully expressive face, and knack for both projecting his lines and singing, made each of his scenes unforgettable. He could even jump up and click his heels together. Victoria Edwards, as Cogsworth the talking clock, played the straight man to Lumiere, sensible and thoughtful. When Mrs. Potts, played by Olivia Slater, sweetly sang her solo of “Beauty and the Beast,” the title and most often remembered song, the village children appeared adorably as napkins.  Lexi Check, as Madame de la Grande Bouche, moved gracefully in a big costume as a wardrobe and a big wig. She also had an excellent voice and could be heard well both speaking and singing. Chip (Morgan Fetrow) was a cute teacup, son of Mrs. Potts. An unexpected treat were the three French maids, in their nifty black dresses and matching jet-black wigs, who could speak real French, sing up a storm and dance an impressive kick line. (Claire Nielsen, Maggie Mulilk, and Maura Doherty) The silent Rose, who symbolized the time left for the Beast to learn to love another and be loved by her, was played with grace by Georgia McCarter.

The grand finale, “Be Our Guest,” brought thunderous applause, especially for Belle, with the most lines and most demanding singing solos.  But I also got to see the tremendous affection the cast had for its helpers. Big tubs full of presents and flowers were brought on stage, and the student actors called each older teen volunteer onto stage to be recognized. As always, some of these older teens were clearly former stars of Prana themselves. Joanne Hines as accompanist, Joe Duda as assistant and the amazing costume designer, Catherine Savard were warmly recognized. The choreography team had the spotlight shone on them. Then Roberta Weiner, the director, gave out what she called paper plate awards. Faces were shining as the student actors came forward. The incredible joy in the auditorium was palpable. This was a spectacular show, and one none of the student actors or their families will ever forget.