REVIEW: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Drury Lane Theatre Through January 27, 2019

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Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 

at Drury Lane Theatre 

Music by Alan Menken 

Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice 

Book by Linda Woolverton 

Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth

Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions

Through January 27, 2019

**Beauty and the Beast is suitable for all audiences but most enjoyable for ages 5 and up** 

Guest Review by
Lori Morrison-Contreras

“A Tale as Old as Time”, Beauty and the Beast is a story of longing, determination, strength, courage and standing up for yourself and others even when it is the unpopular thing to do.



This new version at Drury Lane is a fresh new take on an old classic. We had the pleasure of sitting next to someone who had never seen any version of Beauty and The Beast so was seeing it for the first time here live. Her laughter and sheer delight were a joy to experience! 

The main set piece, a revolving, curved, grand staircase (a scenic design from Kevin Depinet) was fantastic! 



Although at times it was a stretch to see what was happening below the stairs, “Belle’s room in the castle for example, it did much to transform the stage from castle, to woods to town. It added a majestic quality to the castle and an eariness to the battles with wolves in the woods. 

The music (by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice) and dancing (choreographed by Ron De Jesus) was beautifully done! 

I brought my 11 Belle loving daughter with me! This was her first live version of Beauty and The Beast. Be Our Guest was so incredibly done and was easily both of our favorite part of the entire night! Along with the singing and dancing, the costuming (Ryan Park) and lighting (Ryan O’Gara) really made this scene come alive. It really was a magical moment!

My daughter takes Costume Design classes herself was in love with all the costume, especially Belle’s dress at the end. 

Finally, not to give too much away, but we were both fascinated with the unique way they created the Beast’s rose. 

I would definitely recommend it for all ages!

Lori is an unschooling Chicago mom who lives in Little Village with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. She is a 2nd degree black belt in TKD and a burlesque dancer, who teaches self defense and works for Edge Theatre, NFP.

The cast of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast includes Brandon Contreras (Beast), Erica Stephan (Belle), Mark Banik (Gaston), Sophie Ackerman (Chip), Graham Carlson (Chip, at certain performances), Tony Carter (Lumiere), Nick Cosgrove (Cogsworth), Mark David Kaplan (Maurice), Catherine Smitko (Madame de la Grande Bouche), Bri Sudia (Mrs. Potts), Allison Sill (Babette), and Paul Michael Thomson (Lefou). The ensemble includes Jeremiah Alsop, Anthony Avino, Greg Blackmon, Isaiah Silvia-Chandley, Liz Conway, Shantel Cribbs, Timothy P. Foszcz, Samuel Gardner, Maya Kitayama, Ivory Leonard IV, Omar Madden, Courtney Martin, Conner Wayne Milam, Zach Porter, Emma Rosenthal, Billy Rude, Monica Thomas, and Shanna VanDerwerker.

The creative team includes Kevin Depinet (Scenic Design), Ryan Park (Costume Design), Ryan O’Gara (Lighting Design), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design), Cassy Schillo (Properties Design), Claire Moores (Wig & Hair Design), Amber Wuttke (Makeup Design) and Kate DeVore (Dialect Consultant).

Based on the beloved Academy Award-winning Disney film, this nine-time Tony nominated musical continues to win the hearts of people all over the globe. Trapped in her provincial town life, an intelligent, young beauty risks everything to become the heroine of her own story and break a wicked spell imprisoning a castle full of enchanting misfits and a terrifying beast.


Featuring:
Brandon Contreras (Beast), Erica Stephan (Belle), Mark Banik (Gaston), Sophie Ackerman (Chip), Graham Carlson (Chip, at certain performances), Tony Carter (Lumiere), Nick Cosgrove (Cogsworth), Mark David Kaplan (Maurice), Catherine Smitko (Madame de la Grande Bouche), Bri Sudia (Mrs. Potts), Allison Sill (Babette), and Paul Michael Thomson (Lefou). The ensemble includes Jeremiah Alsop, Anthony Avino, Greg Blackmon, Isaiah Silvia-Chandley, Liz Conway, Shantel Cribbs, Timothy P. Foszcz, Samuel Gardner, Maya Kitayama, Ivory Leonard IV, Omar Madden, Courtney Martin, Conner Wayne Milam, Zach Porter, Emma Rosenthal, Billy Rude, Monica Thomas, and Shanna VanDerwerker.

Creative Team: 
Kevin Depinet (Scenic Design), Ryan Park (Costume Design), Ryan O’Gara (Lighting Design), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design), Cassy Schillo (Properties Design), Claire Moores (Wig & Hair Design), Amber Wuttke (Makeup Design) and Kate DeVore (Dialect Consultant)

Dates:
Regular run: Through January 27, 2019 

Schedule:
Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. 
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location: Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

Tickets:
Single Tickets: $60 – $75
Wednesday and Thursday matinees: $60
Thursday and Sunday evenings: $70
Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday matinees: $75
Senior Citizens start at $55 for matinees
Student group tickets available
Dinner and show packages available 

Box Office: 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace
630.530.0111, Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000
or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com



2019/2020 Season and Subscription Information
Drury Lane's 2018/2019 season will conclude with the global smash-hit Mamma Mia! featuring the music of ABBA (February 7 – April 14, 2019). The 2019/2020 season will include two award-winning Regional Theatre premieres – the imaginative Matilda (April 26 – June 23, 2019), based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, and the beautifully captivating Gershwin musical An American in Paris (January 31 – March 29, 2020). The thrilling season also includes the revival of the exhilarating The Color Purple (September 13 – November 3, 2019), based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel; the magical musical for all ages Mary Poppins (November 15 – January 19, 2020); and Agatha Christie’s edge-of-your-seat murder mystery And Then There Were None (July 12 – September 1, 2019).

Subscriptions for the 2019/2020 Season are priced from $157 to $187 and are currently on sale. Subscribers receive special offers on dining, flexible ticket exchanges, and early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

The performance schedule for all productions during the 2018/2019 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Student group tickets start as low as $30 and Senior Citizens start at $40 for matinees. Dinner and show packages are also available. For individual ticket on-sale dates and ticket reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at 630.530.0111 or TicketMaster at 800.745.3000 or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

About Drury Lane Theatre 
Under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis and Artistic Director William Osetek, Drury Lane Theatre is a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, presenting world-class productions in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading actors, artists, writers, and directors. Over the past 30 years, Drury Lane has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for more than 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane is committed to breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing audiences to exciting new works. 


Throughout its 30-year history, Drury Lane has employed more than 7,500 actors and 10,000 musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members. Originally founded by Anthony DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre remains a family-run organization known for producing breathtaking Broadway classics, top-rated musicals, bold new works, hilarious comedies, and unforgettable concert events.