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Romantic, Evergreen Musical Hits Little Theatre

Bill Rettew Jr./Highlands Today

Highlands Little Theatre recreates the love story and long running Broadway musical, "Beauty and the Beast," starting Sunday. From left: Laura Wade plays Belle, or the Beauty Ellen Lemose, portrays Madame de la Grande Bouche and Patty Young stars as a Teapot.

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: October 28, 2008

SEBRING - It may have taken 75 minutes to apply his make-up for the first dress rehearsal of Beauty and the Beast at Highlands Little Theatre, but actor Larry McCandless wants the audience to see past the greasepaint.

With horns, fangs and fur, McCandless plays "The Beast" for the musical, which opens Sunday.

"I think about who he is inside," said McCandless, of Sebring.

Portraying the sometimes negative role of a beast does not really bother McCandless.

"This is depressing, but it's also a lot of fun," he said. "He looks hideous, but I don't think about that. He's always depressed and sad."

Thirty-one actors, 57 behind-the-scenes helpers and a record $20,000-budget for the Little Theatre musical makes Beauty and the Beast a romantic tearjerker and a live, on-stage spectacle.

Christopher Hayes, a 13-play Little Theatre actor, said the Disney production was not just written for kids.

"It's a family show," said Hayes. "Everybody will enjoy it. It's a play for all ages."

Beauty and the Beast was the sixth longest Broadway production. It ran non-stop from 1994-2007.

The music was written by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.

Laura Wade plays "Belle" or the beauty. Her character is attracted to the beast, rather than the regular leading man and seemingly obvious choice, "Gaston," which is the part that Hayes plays.

Gaston might seem like the perfect lover for the beauty, but the beast's personality tugs strongly at her heart.

Although Gaston has a pompadour, muscles and dashing pirate boots, Hayes referred to his character as pompous. The beast is different.

The costumes and make-up are one-of-a kind. Rather than dip into its expansive wardrobe stock, the theater rented several costumes to save cash and better duplicate the Broadway production.

Patty Young, who plays Missus Potts, or a teapot, smiled while trying hard to sit down in an overflowing costume.

"Acting beats the stress of real life," she said.

Young described the set designed by Little Theatre crew and three students at South Florida Community College as "whimsical."

Dustin Martz, who plays "The Knife and a Villager," said the musical is "cartoonish, a little overdone" and long on song and dance.

Director Kristen Taylor said the stage production is an inspiring story especially for young girls, but also for all ages.

"Beauty and the Beast is the story of a young woman who feels out of place in society," said Taylor. "She feels odd and questions her whole life."

Performances will run from Nov. 2 through Nov. 23, Fridays, Saturdays, Wednesdays and Sundays.

This is the first show of the 2008-2009 season tickets, and tickets for individual performances can be purchased directly from the box office, or by calling 863-382-2525.

Individual tickets (and not season tickets) may only be purchased online at www.highlandslittletheatre.org

Bill Rettew Jr. may be reached at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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