So many negative reviews - are unwarranted. This is merely a new interpretation of a classic story. Sure - Beauty and the Beast has always been about Stockholm Syndrome and the original classic is not really up to date with the current taboos of casting, plot lines and characterizations - yet it seems to be considered the high bar to which all other productions are held.
Negative reviews seem more focused on the cultural background of the chosen cast - but the same reviewers can still ignore the blatant fact that Belle is a prisoner being held by a miserable captor that insists she love him.... (huh?)
With the exception of the opening Disney lot scenes where the performers perform while standing on a bunch of white printer paper that looks like litter... this is a lovely and ambitiously designed production - colorful costumes, great performances and a theater in the round stage design. Yes - we did want to have chairs sent in for the audience standing in the sidelines... but how can anyone fault a production that includes such solid musical performances and colorful costume design.
As for Joshua Henry... turns out there is someone else in the world as talented and as gorgeous as Wayne Brady! Joshua Henry is a superstar.
Negative reviews seem more focused on the cultural background of the chosen cast - but the same reviewers can still ignore the blatant fact that Belle is a prisoner being held by a miserable captor that insists she love him.... (huh?)
With the exception of the opening Disney lot scenes where the performers perform while standing on a bunch of white printer paper that looks like litter... this is a lovely and ambitiously designed production - colorful costumes, great performances and a theater in the round stage design. Yes - we did want to have chairs sent in for the audience standing in the sidelines... but how can anyone fault a production that includes such solid musical performances and colorful costume design.
As for Joshua Henry... turns out there is someone else in the world as talented and as gorgeous as Wayne Brady! Joshua Henry is a superstar.