Beauty And The Beast - Fourth National Non Equity Tour: Chicago, Illinois (August 7, 2011) *Evening*
Cast:
Emily Behny (Belle), Dane Agostinis (Beast), Logan Denninghoff (Gaston), Andrew Kruep (Lefou), Julia Louise Hosack (Mrs. Potts), Michael Haller (Lumiere), Kolby Kindle (u/s Cogsworth), Chandon Jones (Babette), Christopher Spencer (Maurice), Jen Bechter (Madame De La Grande Bouche), Noah Jones (alt. Chip), Matt Kopec (Monsieur d'Arque), David Baur (Ensemble), Jeff Brooks (Ensemble), Carly Casey (Ensemble), Brittany Conigatti (Ensemble), Amanda Grace Holt (Ensemble), Brian Kess (Ensemble), Michael Whitney (s/w Ensemble), Caroline Kittrell (Ensemble), Jessica Lorion (Ensemble), Carter Lynch (Ensemble), Taylor Hilt Mitchell (Ensemble), Nick Nelson (Ensemble), Lauren Palmeri (Ensemble), Sarah Claire Smith (Ensemble), Mandy Striph (Ensemble).
Review:
This was the first professional Disney production I have ever seen. Beauty And The Beast was AMAZING. I loved the show so much. The set is very simplistic, but it still feels so magical, that you still feel the heart and soul of the original movie in there. The only dislike I had was the border at the top of the stage it would sometimes obstruct the action (in two or three scenes) while it was taking place. Well I was sitting high up in the balcony so that might explain it. Emily Behny was AMAZING as Belle. Her singing and acting were flawless .Dane Agostinis was perfect as the Beast. Her was so funny and was a brilliant actor and singer. Logan was one of the best Gaston's I have heard in a long time. Kolby Kindle was on as the understudy for Cogsworth he was excellent. He played the character extremely well. Michael Haller as Lumiere was a super EXTREME stand out in the show. He was so funny and was so freaking awesome! "Be Our Guest" was perfection. He was also an awesome singer. The rest of the cast were awesome. I got to switch seats during act two by like 7 rows, so that was fun. I must warn everyone this though. If you go to see this show don't expect to see it without interruptions. Parents bring their little kids and they can get very annoying, They will talk and parents will not stop them, but I will guarantee you will have a great time. I really want to see this show again. This was also the last performance in Chicago and before they start up again after a small summer vacation. The tour will start up again September 27, 2011 in Cincinnati. It will become to close places by Chicago. So if I can I might take a small trip up there to see it again. With all of these comments I would give this show a 10/10 :)
Stage Door:
Okay this was the part I could not wait to write about. For this stage door I was prepared. I was excited about 2 days earlier so I bought special silver Sharpies for the occasion. There were a lot of people at this stage door so it made me feel more comfortable. Okay so my goal was to get 2 signed Playbills. One for me, and one for my fellow fan mail friend TheMonkeyBananaKing. The first person to come out was Dane Agostinis. He was really nice and signed my Playbills. Then Emily Behny came out. At first I was not sure if it was here so I asked hi what role did you play? She was like "I was Belle". I was like oh my god you were amazing she was so sweet and pretty in person. The next person to come out was Kolby Kindle. He was so nice and cool in person. Well at this time I realized my sister was too scared to ask any of the actors to sign so I took her Playbill and got it signed by everyone I had been to but Dane Agoatinis. Emily Behny was funny I told her about my sister and she waved to her and my sister was waved back so sacredly. The last person to come out was Michael Haller (Lumiere) he was so cool and we talked for about 10 minutes he was so super nice and I am definitely writing him a fan letter. Other people did come out such as Chip and Lefu but they looked like they were busy. On our way out of the stage door the garage door was open (see pictures 9 & 10) and we could see backstage into the theatre. So far, best stage door experience ever!
Vlog:
Here it is I think its really good limited footage though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47HPJrXTc-s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47HPJrXTc-s