STARS OF THE SHOW: Jordan Houghton, as Belle, and Todd Burd, as The Beast, take starring roles in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Theatre in the Park.
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‘Beauty’ casts spell at Theatre in the Park
By: Russ Simmons, Theatre Critic
“Beauty and the Beast,” one of Disney’s most popular musical fables, has returned to the Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park.
Jordan Houghton leads the cast as the comely and bookish Belle. Desiring more from life than her provincial town can offer, Belle eschews the advances of the vain Gaston (David Martin) and eventually is imprisoned by a frightening beast (Todd Burd).
The show boasts an award-winning score and the cast delivers it with verve. Houghton is an especially comely Belle, displaying a strikingly lovely voice to match.
Burd provides a touching rendition of the ballad “If I Can’t Love Her,” and Martin is amusingly self-absorbed as the buffoonish antagonist. All of the supporting cast members are rock solid.
Director Nathan Norcross and choreographer Deanna Doyle inject the show with plenty of energy and the orchestra, under the direction of Travis Murray, sounds spectacular. Leann Moylan’s elaborate costumes are a big help, too.
“Beauty and the Beast” casts a pleasurable theatrical spell.
“Beauty and the Beast” runs through July 13 at Shawnee Mission Park, 79th Street and Renner Road in Shawnee. For ticket information, call (816) 464-9420.
OTHELLO
The green-eyed monster of jealousy and the chilling specter of racism raise their ugly heads in the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s stirring production of “Othello.”
Damon Gupton gives an outstanding performance as the Moor of Venice who is manipulated by the scheming Iago (Bruce Roach) into believing that his new bride, Desdemona (Cassandra Schwanke), has been unfaithful.
In spite of the fact that he has heroically saved their city from the Turks, some of the residents of Venice are not welcoming to a black African like Othello. The cast members sometimes use sly emphasis to turn the word “Moor” into a racial slur.
Director Sidonie Garrett ably stages the drama, steering Gupton to one of the most memorable performances yet seen in the 19 productions the festival has produced over the years.
While there are inconveniences like tall grass, bugs and ambient noise that can prove to be annoying in this open-air production, the players provide enough theatrical tension to temper most distractions.
Thanks to a thoughtful presentation by the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, “Othello” proves to be as timely today as when Shakespeare conceived it.
“Othello” runs through July 6 at Southmoreland Park, 7th and Oak streets, Kansas City, Mo. More information is available at www.kcshakes.org.
WELL
Memories are often hazy and indefinite. In part, this is because they’re clouded by our own desires and prejudices.
The nebulous nature of memory is at the heart of Lisa Kron’s avant-garde theatrical experiment called “Well,” a comic drama currently featured at the Unicorn Theatre.
Melinda McCrary portrays Kron, initially taking to the stage for a monologue. But stage left is a modest living room where an elderly woman sits in a recliner. It is Lisa’s mother, Ann, played by Joicie Appell.
Other actors in this twisted “monologue” include Dana Thompson, Rachel May Roberts, Walter Coppage and Kyle L. Mowry, helping to fill in Lisa’s foggy memories that are often in direct conflict with Ann’s recollection of events.
Appel seizes onto one of the best roles in her long and distinguished career and in one scene she shines in her own riveting and illuminating monologue.
“Well” is often frustrating to watch and its overt manipulations of theatrical conventions seem awfully pretentious at times. But in a work like this, frustration is an appropriate response.
“Well” runs through July 13 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. For information, call (816) 531-7529.
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Jordan Houghton leads the cast as the comely and bookish Belle. Desiring more from life than her provincial town can offer, Belle eschews the advances of the vain Gaston (David Martin) and eventually is imprisoned by a frightening beast (Todd Burd).
The show boasts an award-winning score and the cast delivers it with verve. Houghton is an especially comely Belle, displaying a strikingly lovely voice to match.
Burd provides a touching rendition of the ballad “If I Can’t Love Her,” and Martin is amusingly self-absorbed as the buffoonish antagonist. All of the supporting cast members are rock solid.
Director Nathan Norcross and choreographer Deanna Doyle inject the show with plenty of energy and the orchestra, under the direction of Travis Murray, sounds spectacular. Leann Moylan’s elaborate costumes are a big help, too.
“Beauty and the Beast” casts a pleasurable theatrical spell.
“Beauty and the Beast” runs through July 13 at Shawnee Mission Park, 79th Street and Renner Road in Shawnee. For ticket information, call (816) 464-9420.
OTHELLO
The green-eyed monster of jealousy and the chilling specter of racism raise their ugly heads in the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s stirring production of “Othello.”
Damon Gupton gives an outstanding performance as the Moor of Venice who is manipulated by the scheming Iago (Bruce Roach) into believing that his new bride, Desdemona (Cassandra Schwanke), has been unfaithful.
In spite of the fact that he has heroically saved their city from the Turks, some of the residents of Venice are not welcoming to a black African like Othello. The cast members sometimes use sly emphasis to turn the word “Moor” into a racial slur.
Director Sidonie Garrett ably stages the drama, steering Gupton to one of the most memorable performances yet seen in the 19 productions the festival has produced over the years.
While there are inconveniences like tall grass, bugs and ambient noise that can prove to be annoying in this open-air production, the players provide enough theatrical tension to temper most distractions.
Thanks to a thoughtful presentation by the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, “Othello” proves to be as timely today as when Shakespeare conceived it.
“Othello” runs through July 6 at Southmoreland Park, 7th and Oak streets, Kansas City, Mo. More information is available at www.kcshakes.org.
WELL
Memories are often hazy and indefinite. In part, this is because they’re clouded by our own desires and prejudices.
The nebulous nature of memory is at the heart of Lisa Kron’s avant-garde theatrical experiment called “Well,” a comic drama currently featured at the Unicorn Theatre.
Melinda McCrary portrays Kron, initially taking to the stage for a monologue. But stage left is a modest living room where an elderly woman sits in a recliner. It is Lisa’s mother, Ann, played by Joicie Appell.
Other actors in this twisted “monologue” include Dana Thompson, Rachel May Roberts, Walter Coppage and Kyle L. Mowry, helping to fill in Lisa’s foggy memories that are often in direct conflict with Ann’s recollection of events.
Appel seizes onto one of the best roles in her long and distinguished career and in one scene she shines in her own riveting and illuminating monologue.
“Well” is often frustrating to watch and its overt manipulations of theatrical conventions seem awfully pretentious at times. But in a work like this, frustration is an appropriate response.
“Well” runs through July 13 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. For information, call (816) 531-7529.