Redwood Fall Play Review: “Beauty is the Beast”

“Beauty is the Beast” is a new spin on the 1991 classic “Beauty and the Beast” coming to Redwood October 7th, 8th, and 10th at 7pm. In this story, we follow Belle, played by Lola Sullivan’ 28, after the events of the original tale who’s magically transformed into a beast instead of her prince this time. Belle must now go on an epic journey to go from the beast, back to the beauty.

By Jonathan Cornejo

Belle is accompanied by a lot of iconic characters in the story such as  Maddison German’ 27 as Aurora, Brenna Long’ 28 as Ariel, Rose Longbottom’ 27 as Snow White, and Ella Noblitt’ 28 as Cinderella. What seems like a parody on the original characters, is actually woven into the story genuinely with struggles that match each other.

Behind the Curtain

The actors wear modern, everyday clothing, but the colors and fit of each costume reflect the character wearing it. Also, the other costumes for the extras and party outfits are really well done. Shout out to Abigail Hart, Mica Sanchez, and Erin Wolfe for their costume work.

The play also features a wide variety of props, including swords, axes, tentacles, and even fake bodies. During an encounter with the sea witch from the little mermaid (nice nod to RHS Theatre’s past productions, by the way), they bring out giant tentacle props which really helps set the scene in the dark sea. We also see props put to good use when they bring out a fake body for a violent scene just to add to comedic effect. Props were designed by the stagecraft and also the advanced drama class.

The sets really sell the show and it is clear that the extra effort pays off. They let you know where you are exactly and although sometimes very minimalist, you know where you are and you’re never really lost. 

Sound and music shape how an audience experiences a scene. While the sound effects add to the action, the score helps establish the tone and draws the audience in. Credit goes to Abigail Hart, Eli Peters, and Pasha Cruz.

The Plot

The director, Mrs Stacy Galvan, really knows how to bring comedy into play without any of the jokes feeling awkward or out of place. The comedy in this play relies on meta and fourth wall breaks sometimes given to us by the narrators, Zarena Coles and Juan Agredano. 

Focusing on the meta aspect, the jokes cleverly poke fun at the familiar tales we’ve all heard before. 

We’ve seen parodies that really just like to poke fun at the original and that’s what they really do- but with this play, it actually decides to tell a story rather than just bringing out a laugh from the audience.

At the start we reunite with Belle who isn’t really getting along with her husband, the beast (who continues to remain nameless). Belle goes through self-rejection, wishing everything would go back to the way it does. The twist is, it does, but not in the way she intended.

She’s then cursed into a beast and must now find true love to break the spell.

We meet Cinderella who is a divorced single mom who’s the main voice of reason. We then meet Aurora who is a fierce woman who has lost her husband and is very violent. If the name isn’t familiar, you may know her as Sleeping Beauty but let’s not pretend like we did.

Along the line we meet Snow White and Ariel. Snow is constantly showing off how perfect she is while when we first meet Ariel, we see she’s not happy with the decisions she’s made by staying human. She misses her home and family and we’re constantly reminded of that.

Through the journey, Belle talks to these women and realizes she’s not the only one that didn’t get their happily ever after. She starts to be the person she is now and even starts getting used to it. 

The story really gives the audience a strong message of accepting who you are and not needing someone else to rely on for that.

The Acting

The acting in this play is top tier with a lot of great performances. Each princess really has their time to shine acting-wise and so do a lot of secondary characters.

Lola Sullivan as Belle really gives a great performance as this helpless girl who becomes a savage beast. It really sells you on why you should feel bad for her.

Madison German plays Aurora in a dark and serious way. She’s the type that thinks a fist is the best way to get out of a situation and you can feel that by the way she moves and the way she talks.

Brenna Long is able to tell us about Ariel by her movements and delivery. You can see the uncertainty of her decision and she plays it well. In a scene where she’s being tempted, Long doesn’t play the character with overreaction or generosity but shows how conflicted Ariel really is.

Snow White is played by Rose Longbottom and she plays it with commitment. She’s never out of character and continues to act like the self preserving princess most of the play. She brings enthusiasm and joy and also comedy that’s different from the others.

Finally, Ella Noblitt plays Cinderella in a phenomenal way. Just in her mannerisms and speech alone, you can tell what type of person she is. She is extremely expressive and just an overall great actress who is able to deliver lines with great comedic timing and overall logic. You can tell that she’s been through some stuff and is really just trying to help Belle not follow in her footsteps.

Connor West’ 27 and Ricardo Vega’ 28 play parodies of Gaston and LeFou, this time named Lebron and Toady. These two actors have great chemistry together in the few scenes they’re in. With his accent and mannerisms, West gives a performance that is phenomenal.

All background extras fit right in and didn’t feel out of place with their performance at all during the show.

This fall play isn’t to be missed. It’s packed with lots of your favorite Disney princesses to love and enjoy or if you’re looking to just be entertained, you’ll walk out with more than that.

“Beauty is the Beast” will be performed in the Rotary Theater October 7, 8, and 10 at 7 pm. You can purchase tickets from Mrs. Stacy Galvan in the drama room or on the website: redwoodrangersdrama.ludus.com

Tags: Beauty is the Beast, Brenna Long, Connor West, Ella Noblitt, fall play, Lola Sullivan, Madison German, redwood drama, Redwood Theatre, Ricardo Vega, Rose Longbottom, rotary theater, Stacy Galvan, Student Theatre