2022 Beauty and the Beast
May 29, 30, June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 2022
Beauty and the Beast was scheduled to be the theater's 2020 show. Ironically there was one read-through rehearsal right before the public health authorities closed everything down. Amazingly many of those who originally signed up in 2020 returned for the 2022 show. This production was the second time KFT presented Beauty and the Beast.
The show also reprised nine of the people who were key to the 2008 production. Craig Shieber and Guy Caridi came back as director and choreographer. Anthony Dreesen and Ila Fabion Dreessen came back as Beauty and the Beast (although now as husband and wife). Chris Stanley who created the Beast's mask in 2008 was in charge of sets. Walt Foster who played Cogsworth in the previous show played Maurice (Beauty's father ). Gail Foster was this season's Madame de la Grande Bouche (Wardrobe). In the earlier production she was the stage manner. Valerie Foster reprised her role as a dancing plate. In addition Gala Lindvall produced the show second time.
Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, this version included all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice and book by Linda Woolverton. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
One of the outstanding features was casting Anna Vizarre as LeFou the hanger-on of Gaston (Leif Layman). Anna's acrobatic abilities gave Guy Caridi great talent with which to work.
Another interesting coincidence was the Barbara Klingberg costumed for the show. In the earlier version some of her costumes from a different production were borrowed for the KFT show.
Anna Vizarre (LeFou) wrote an interesting blog post on what it was like to take on a traditionally male role and make it her own. Ila Faubion Dreesen also wrote a blog post about what it was for she and her husband to reprise their roles of Beauty and the Best. See links to the post below.
Production Staff:
Director: Craig Schieber; Asst. Director: Jenny Dreessen; Choreographer: Guy Caridi; Music Director: Mark Press; Asst. Music Director: Nancy Press; Sets: Chris Stanley; Costumes: Barbara Klingberg; Stage Manager: Danette Lam; Props: Stewart Shusterman