‘Beauty and the Beast’ works better second time around

Signature Productions' remounting of Super Summer Theatre and P.S. Productions' "Beauty and the Beast" has a lot of slapstick. And based on the screaming enthusiasm of children during a recent performance, this emphasis makes the Disney musical especially appealing to kids. The stunning visuals and wonderfully broad, comedic acting make this the sort of show that could hook young people on theater for life.

I assume we all know the story. Handsome prince is mean to an old lady who has magical powers, prince becomes a beast and his servants are reduced to objects until the guy learns to love and is loved in return. Adding to the story book atmosphere are provincial villagers, a spooky forest and a heroine named Belle who slowly brings out the good side of our monster.

Most of the cast remains the same from the summer version. Kari Curletto is a charming, believably wholesome Belle. It's especially enjoyable to watch how she gently rebuffs the advances of the self-proclaimed town stud Gaston (Erik Ball). Al Mendoro is in fine, robust voice as the Beast. Director Philip Shelburne has gotten better performances from both leads this time out. Their relationship feels more organic and logically progressive. You understand this time how and when the couple falls in love.

Shannon Cook provides a nurturing presence as the teapot. Inara Michelle's lyric voice gives the role of a vanity a grand buffoonery that pokes gentle fun at traditional opera. Joe Hynes milks beyond expectations his role as a clock. And Jennifer De La Torre again gives us a hilarious Babette, who's afraid her feather-duster appearance makes her less appealing.

It's too bad that Signature used recorded music. And there's a bigger problem in Mendoro as the prince. While attractive, he's not a leading man type.

But the show is nonstop entertainment. I'd urge parents to allow their children to see this, especially if they've never experienced the magic of a live musical.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.