There are some musicals, whether you like them or not, that are just plain fun.
Sure, they may not be your cup of tea. Sure, they may be culturally problematic. But when push comes to shove, they are fun crowd pleasers that will enchant the most stoic of audiences. And that’s exactly what is happening with the current offering from Musicals at Richter – "Beauty and the Beast."
For those readers of this review who are on aware of the recent struggles that Richter has had, Richter has been perpetually been plagued with failing facilities – a shack for a tech booth, a pop-up stand for a concession booth, and most notably, the port-a-potties for the patrons. And that doesn’t even include the Richter house, which despite it’s historical landmark standing, was very close to condemnation status.
But all of that has changed. The stage has been rebuilt, there’s a brand new tech/concession booth/permanent bathroom. The house has been saved, with a fresh coat of paint to boot. And Richter has come to show it off with a spectacle of a show.
"Beauty and the Beast" was a perfect choice to welcome in the new facilities. This production, the minute you walk onto the grounds, gives vibes of any professional production of this show. And once the cast walks on stage, there are times you forget that you are watching community theater and not watching Summer Stock in the Berkshires.
At the core of "Beauty and the Beast," are the Beauty (Belle) and the Beast (Also know as Prince Adam, though someone not so well versed in Disney lore would know this, as it’s never mentioned in the show.). Playing these roles are Hannah Grace and Charles Romano, both new to the Richter stage. It’s rare that Richter casts new-to-Richter performers in their both of their leading roles so I was curious to see these two take the reins; the minute both of them started to sing their respective songs, I could see why they had their roles. Grace’s voice is clear and lovely and deserving of any Disney Princess that she chooses to take on while Romano is a force to be reckoned with vocally.
Special shout-outs to Stacey Snyder as Mrs. Potts and Michael Solano as Cogsworth. Snyder’s puttering around in a clearly cumbersome costume (And in this heat, to boot!) did not diminish her ability to portray a very competent and caring housekeeper who any royal, cursed or not, would be lucky to have on staff. Solano shines as the neurotic butler-turned clock Cogsworth. As someone who suffers from chronic anxiety, watching his frequent meltdowns was delightful and entertaining and it was a performance worth bragging about.
But the real standout in this performance is Matt Farina’s choreography. Audiences cannot take their stop watching during Act I show-stopping number Gaston. Readers of this review who are familiar with the original animated film or the 2017 live action remake will remember the characters dancing around the pub to perk up rejected Gaston after Belle rejects his less than stellar offer of marriage. Food flies, LeFou swings from wall fixtures, and girls dance on tables. Well, there was no swinging, table dancing or massive consumption of food on stage, but Farina was able to create a stunning number…..using metal pint mugs. And no, that’s not a typo. I won’t spoil the magic of it to encourage you to go see it but the effect is absolutely magical.
Overall, "Beauty and the Beast" was the perfect choice for Richter’s architectural comeback. It’s a great place to take the kids on a Friday night, or a fun night out with friends and your own pint mug (With driver friendly beverages, of course).
Well done, Richter, well done.
Details from Musicals at Richter
Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 40th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, kicks off the summer with “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” playing through July 20. Directed by Donald E. Birely, the production features a live band and a cast of talented local actors, performances take place outdoors under the stars at the Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury, adjacent to the Richter Park Public Golf Course, just off I-84, Exit 2.
Performances for “Beauty and the Beast” are Friday-Sunday evenings at 8 PM, with specially discounted performances on Thursday July 18. Grounds at Richter Arts Center open at 7:00 p.m. for picnicking, with the show at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors (65+) and students (with ID), and $15 for children 10 and under. For the Thursday performance on July 18, tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $10 for children 10 and under.
Audience members are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating. A limited number of chairs are available free of charge at the concession area, and a snack/soft drink concession is on site.
New this year, two pairs of comfortable VIP front row seats will be available at each performance. The tickets cost $150 per pair, which includes a $90 tax-deductible donation to support MAR’s Renaissance of Richter stage and facility improvement campaign.
Following “Beauty and the Beast” on the Richter main stage is Broadway’s quintessential ode to the fifties, “Grease,” playing July 26 through August 10.
For further information on all our offerings and to purchase main stage tickets, visit the website at www.musicalsatrichter.org or leave a message at 203-748-6873.
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Photo credit to David Henningsen Photography
Max Monson (center, in red) portrays Belle’s egotistical suitor Gaston and Robert Fontenelli
(seated, in striped pants) plays his sidekick Lefou in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,
playing outdoors under the stars at Musicals at Richter, Connecticut’s longest-running outdoor
theater, through July 20. Featuring a cast of more than 40 talented local actors and a live
orchestra, the production takes place on the grounds of Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack
Road, in Danbury, adjacent to Richter Park Golf Course and minutes off I-84 Exit 2. Tickets/info: