Review: ‘Beauty & the Beast’ high quality

A. KOCH/for the Van Wert independent

“A Broadway experience with a hometown style”! These words came to life with Van Wert Civic Theatre’s production of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. A Broadway-quality performance presented by phenomenal local actors and actresses, Van Wert Civic Theatre can be proud of this exceptional production.

For a “tale as old as time,” the hardy Disney musical adaptation, based on the studio’s animated 1991 “Best Picture” Oscar nominee, still has the ability to enchant an audience of children. And, apparently, plenty of parents or kids at heart, too, as the roar during curtain call for leads Victoria Recker (Belle) and Jared Benson (Beast) took on a distinct life of their own.

Credit an engaging cast who can pull some honest adult emotions from the Disney show’s broad humor and cartoon roots. Recker is particularly charming: The actress has a clear voice, pretty face, and is inspiring as the resourceful and bookish Belle, who stumbles upon the cursed Beast. Belle’s love has the power to lift a spell and return the horned creature to an ordinary-looking prince.

Benson has just the right hint of menace to balance the jokey silliness that sometimes creeps into his role in the second act. His singing is also poignant and commanding on his showpiece number, “If I Can’t Love Her”, which closes the first act.

The plot thickens and comedy ensues when we meet Beast’s quirky and adorable castle staff — humans turned into household objects, including a candelabra, Lumiere (Ken Markward); a teapot, Mrs. Potts (Stacy Rife), and teacup, Chip (Grace Sadowski and Tess Vonderwell); a clock, Cogsworth (Daniel Sanderson); a feather duster, Babette (Kim Warnecke); and a dresser, Madame Wardrobe (Kirsten Logan); by a sorceress who disdains the Beast’s cruel arrogance.

The actors are all so entertaining and likable, but Lumiere, with his consistent French accent, and Babette, with her ever growing feathers command the stage every time they appear.

The “Be Our Guest” number, a festive kitchenware extravaganza, and “Human Again” are the two numbers, with the entire cast on stage, youth and adult, that remains irresistible entertainment.

With a cast this large, it is difficult to mention every standout character on the stage, but I have to mention the outstanding soloists: Mrs. Potts singing the signature song “Beauty and The Beast” was truly enchanting, while Lumiere and ensemble on “Be Our Guest”, Belle on “Is This Home” and “A Change in Me”, Beast on “If I Can’t Love Her”, Maurice (Warren Bowery) “No Matter What”, Gaston (Stan Lippi) “Me”, and who can forget his sidekick, Lefou (Josh Adcock).

All these are accompanied by a live orchestra: Dee Fisher, piano; Tammy Landwehr, flute; Jane Stevens, clarinet/sax; Dennis Hickey, baritone; and Elliot Mueller, percussion.

There is one more weekend, March 17-20, to see this magnificent production, but I am warning you, call the Van Wert Civic Theatre box office, 419.238.9689, Monday through Saturday, 2-6 p.m., to reserve your seat: this show has been selling out.