CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Leaving the biblical artistic freedom that is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Hurricane Theatrical brings another “tale as old as time” to life with “Beauty and the Beast!” And while this show is no stranger to Southern Utah, having been produced many times throughout the past five years, Hurricane Theatrical brings its own unique and stunning interpretation of this Disney classic.
Haley-Shea Benoit as Belle in Hurricane Theatrical’s production of “Beauty and the Beast,” Hurricane, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Alex Chamberlain courtesy of Hurricane Theatrical, St. George News
Kyle Myrick, director of this magical production and founder of Hurricane Theatrical, encourages loyal theatergoers and community members alike to come and see this beautiful show, filled with incredible talent, wonderful music and a monumental setting. The set alone will take your breath away!
Leading lady Haley-Shea Benoit explained that part of what makes Hurricane Theatrical’s productions so special is that the sets are cast-built.
“There’s no building crew for these massive sets; it’s all us,” she said. “And knowing that the set is a product of our labor, it becomes a source of pride and love that we all just put back into the show.”
Our story follows not one but two characters. It begins with a description of an arrogant prince cursed to become a Beast, which can be broken if he changes his ways and learns to love and care for another.
The story then shifts to Belle, a girl lamenting her “provincial life” where she is regarded as “odd” by everyone in her town – everyone except the town favorite, Gaston (Andy Young), who, aided by his constant lackey LeFou (Reece Jacobsen), pursues Belle and intends on marrying her. And Belle could not be less interested.
Eric Humphries as Lumière in Hurricane Theatrical’s production of “Beauty and the Beast,” Hurricane, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Alex Chamberlain courtesy of Hurricane Theatrical, St. George News
Suddenly, Belle’s life becomes anything but provincial when her father, Maurice (Nathan Merrill), is imprisoned by the Beast, and Belle trades her life for her father’s. Through the efforts of the Beast’s enchanted staff, including the debonair Lumière (Eric Humphries), the overstrung Cogsworth (Brad Serage) and the matronly Mrs. Potts (Kelsea Burton), Belle and the Beast overcome their initial prejudices and discover “perhaps there’s something there that wasn’t there before.”
While the show isn’t new for anyone who grew up with Disney films or the stage adaptation, it nevertheless remains a classic for the immortal lesson of seeing and possibly loving past what seems and the connectivity it holds. As Caleb Christensen, who portrays the Beast, said, “Everyone works with some Beast, whether it’s someone they know or they themselves.”
Come “Be Our Guest” at the Hurricane Fine Arts Center! “Beauty and the Beast” opens Aug. 2 and closes Sept. 7. Shows are on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and Saturday matinées are also included. For more information, go to hurricanetheatrical.com or call 435-668-9753.
Written by ALEINA LISTER.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.