Beauty and the Beast a family affair
Beauty and the Beast opened in New York in 1994 – has it been that long already? – and lasted 13 years with more than 5,000 performances.
Not bad for a work that was first published in France in the mid 18th century.
The current production i splaying at the Hippodrome in Baltimore. Disney released this as a film in 1991 with music by the very talented trio of Alan Mencken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. It won Oscars for Best Song and Best Original Score and was the first animated feature to be nominated for Best Picture.
Thank goodness for the press notes that tells me all this. To be certain, this is a show that requires lots of people, a cast of 30 to begin with and about 25 behind the scenes folks, and that includes musicians.
To get into the Hippodrome 5 18 wheelers were necessary. This is why renovating the Hippodrome was so important, the old Mechanic Theatre would have never accommodated this show. This is the classic tale of Belle, that’s Beauty, and a young prince trapped by a spell and living in a castle far away from people, that’s the Beast.
Of course the Beast does have company that includes a teacup, a clock and candlesticks, all also trapped. If the Beast can love someone and be loved in return the spell will be broken. This is truly a very enjoyable family show, evidenced by the number of children in the audience, and on a school night.
Evening performances are at 7:30, instead of the usual 8, so you do get out about 10:15. You can go to a matinee if that’s better for you. They are Saturday at 2 and Sunday at 1 and 6:30. I think it’s worth your time and effort to take the kids and let them enjoy live theatre. That is an education all its own.
I saw children young enough to be sitting on their parents lap. This show will take an animated film and bring it to life. Ticket prices range from $27.25 to $127.25. The show remains at the Hippodrome thru Feb 3. For tickets click here.
When: January 24-25, 7:30 p.m., January 26, 2 p.m., January 26, 7:30 p.m. – midnight , January 27, 1 p.m., January 27, 6:30 p.m., January 29-31, 7:30 p.m.
Eddie Applefeld is a Baltimore native and a graduate of Towson University. He has been in the broadcasting profession for over 30 years. Currently he is the Promotions Director of WCBM radio. Before that, he was part of the Rouse & Company show on WQSR, host of a cable TV show called Dining Out and adjunct instructor at Towson.
His past accomplishments include being named a finalist in Baltimore Tourism’s Employee of the Year Program and winner of Toastmaster’s Speaker of the Year contest. He was also twice a heartthrob for the American Heart Association’s gala fund raiser.