Beauty and the Beast review – imaginative and spine-tingling family fun

"Beauty and the Beast" is a sidesplittingly funny and spine-tinglingly creepy family show that masterfully reworks the 18th-century fable into an imaginative and immersive theatrical experience. The production is notable for its bold balance of humor and tension, deftly juggling laughs with moments of genuine unease.

Tyler Collins shines as Baron Aaron, a hilariously self-deluded shipping mogul, while Israela Efomi's Beauty is the epitome of awkward charm, carrying around an etiquette manual that adds to her lovable gangliness. The chemistry between Collins and Efomi is undeniable, making their characters' romance both sweet and believable.

However, it's Nicholas Marshall's turn as the Beast that truly sets the tone for the show – a towering figure with ferocious growls and shadow puppetry that announces his arrival with a flourish of stick-insects and eerie atmosphere. Yet, despite some notable scenes of comedic mayhem, Marshall's character is often reduced to a mere prop, serving primarily to illustrate Beauty's capacity for love.

The true heart of "Beauty and the Beast" lies in its exploration of adolescent awakening, where societal norms are challenged by the raw power of human connection. The relationship between Beauty and the Beast becomes less about romantic taming and more about miscommunication, misunderstanding, and ultimately, acceptance.

Dominic Hill's staging is a masterclass in nuance, shifting seamlessly from slapstick humor to genuine pathos. Joanna Bowman's set design creates a dreamlike atmosphere, with shifting staircases and doors that blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Lizzie Powell's lighting adds an extra layer of depth, conjuring an eerie gothic intensity that underscores the characters' darkest moments.

Ultimately, "Beauty and the Beast" is a nourishing tale of acceptance, one that reminds us that love can be messy, complicated, and sometimes downright scary. With its impeccable balance of humor and heart, this production will leave you smiling through tears, eager to experience the beauty and terror of this timeless fable for yourself.

I'm sooo done with shows that make me feel like I need a hug afterwards . "Beauty and the Beast" is seriously good at hitting all the feels - it's like they took every awkward middle school moment, amplified it by 1000%, and then married it to some seriously dark magic . And don't even get me started on that setting design - I mean, who needs reality when you can just teleport through a staircase door? . Seriously though, the cast is amazing and Nicholas Marshall's Beast is genuinely terrifying in all the right ways . Can we get a spin-off with just him as the Beast?

idk why ppl always gotta bring up how much u care about a ship in a show lol but seriously tho, the beast's storyline is kinda weird cuz he's like super scary but also super lonely and i feel like his character could be explored more like what made him this way? was it just being ugly or did something bad happen to him? also why do ppl think Beauty's love is all about taming the beast lol that never happened in the original story

I just watched this "Beauty and the Beast" show and I'm still reeling from the magic of it all ! The way they balanced humor and tension was pure genius - I found myself laughing one minute and on the edge of my seat the next . And oh man, Tyler Collins as Baron Aaron is a total scene-stealer ! But what really got me was how the show explored themes of adolescent awakening and acceptance... it's like they're saying we don't have to be perfect or fixed to find love - it's okay to be messy and complicated . The staging, set design, lighting... everything came together to create this dreamlike atmosphere that just drew me in . I'm already planning to see it again!

I'm totally loving the vibe of this "Beauty and the Beast" production The way they balance the laughs with the creepiness is just genius And can we talk about Tyler Collins as Baron Aaron? He's like, the ultimate lovable bad boy But what really gets me is how they subvert the classic romantic tale to make it all about miscommunication and acceptance It's so refreshing to see a show that doesn't shy away from complexity. The staging, set design, and lighting are all on point too I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a show with shifting staircases and doors? It's like they're living in a dream! All in all, "Beauty and the Beast" is a must-see for anyone looking for a story that'll leave them feeling full of love (and maybe a little bit scared)

I'm literally dying from laughter whenever Baron Aaron is on stage! Tyler Collins' performance as that self-absorbed shipping mogul is perfection . And can we talk about how Israela Efomi's Beauty just oozes awkward charm? It's like she's the human version of a warm hug – you know it's gonna make everything better, even if it's a bit gangly. The chemistry between Collins and Efomi is SO real, I'm shipping them hard! But what really gets me is how the show balances humor with genuine unease. It's like, you're laughing one minute, and then Nicholas Marshall's Beast comes in and gives you the heebie-jeebies for a good 5 minutes . And that staging? Dominic Hill is a genius! The way the set design and lighting come together to create this immersive atmosphere... it's just magic . I'm definitely going to be thinking about this show long after the curtain call .

I'm so obsessed with "Beauty and the Beast" right now ! The way they've reworked the classic tale is just genius - it's like a perfect blend of laughs and scares . I love how Tyler Collins brings his character Baron Aaron to life, he's just so hilarious as this over-the-top shipping mogul ! But what really gets me is Israela Efomi as Beauty, she's just so adorable and awkward at the same time . And Nicholas Marshall as the Beast? Forget about it, he's just pure magic . The way they balance humor with tension is just masterful, it's like a big ol' rollercoaster of emotions .

I think what I love most about this show though, is how it explores adolescence and human connection in such a beautiful way . It's not just about romantic taming or fairy tale romance, it's so much more than that. And the staging, set design, and lighting? Oh my gosh, it's like they're speaking directly to your soul . Dominic Hill is a genius, I'm seriously considering going to see this show again just for him .

OMG, I just saw "Beauty and the Beast" and it's literally given me all the feels! I loved how they made the characters so lovable and quirky - Tyler Collins as Baron Aaron is LOLing at his own expense ! And Israela Efomi's Beauty is just adorably awkward . But what really got to me was how the show explores the ups and downs of relationships and societal norms . It's not always easy, but it's so worth it in the end . Dominic Hill's staging is pure magic - I loved how they wove together slapstick humor with genuine pathos . The set design and lighting were also totally on point ! Overall, "Beauty and the Beast" is like a warm hug for your soul - it'll leave you feeling all the feels and wanting more .

omg I'm still trying to process how they made Beauty's gangliness not awkward at all Israela Efomi must've had some serious dancing lessons or something... also can we talk about how much I love a good underdog story? like, who wouldn't want to fall for the Beast and his, um, unique charm ?

omg I just watched "Beauty and the Beast" and I'm STILL reeling from the emotional rollercoaster!!! Dominic Hill's staging is insane!!! Lizzie Powell's lighting is soooo good it gives me chills every time and Joanna Bowman's set design is like, wow...I love how it all comes together to create this dreamlike world Tyler Collins as Baron Aaron is hilarious!!! but Nicholas Marshall as the Beast is seriously underrated - his growls give me LIFE! Can't wait for more shows like this one - they're just so beautifully done!!!

omg i completely agree with this review the chemistry between collins & efomi is insane and marshall's beast is so well done, but yeah idk why he's not more than just a prop lol what i love about this show tho is how it explores that awkward stage of adolescence where you're still figuring out who you are and how beauty & beast's relationship kinda reflects that, like they're both just trying to navigate their feelings without really knowing what they want

[Image of a lion looking at a "Beauty and the Beast" style ball with a puzzled expression]

[The Meme Dropper approves this adaptation, but only if they serve pie-fectly baked quiches in the enchanted castle]

[ GIF of a man getting tamed by a cat, both sitting on a couch together]

[Audiences are tamed by great storytelling, not just beast mode ]

[ Image of a group of awkward teenagers with a huge smile ]

[The real horror is being an adult and having to deal with societal norms ]

I don’t usually comment but I was really surprised by how much I loved this production of "Beauty and the Beast" it's not often that a show can make me laugh and cry at the same time, but this one really nails it I mean, Nicholas Marshall as the Beast is just perfect - he brings so much depth to the character, even when they're not speaking words. And the chemistry between Tyler Collins and Israela Efomi is undeniable, their romance feels super genuine also, the way the set design and lighting come together to create this dreamlike atmosphere is pure magic

Wow I loved how they balanced the funny parts with the creepy moments - it was so well done! The acting was on point too, especially Tyler Collins as Baron Aaron, he had me dying laughing . And Nicholas Marshall's portrayal of the Beast was so intense and eerie! But what really got to me was how the show explores the power of human connection and acceptance... it's so true, love can be messy and scary

I'm loving the new "Beauty and the Beast" adaptation! The way they've balanced humor and tension is pure perfection . Tyler Collins as Baron Aaron is giving me life , but seriously, his character's ego is so over-the-top it's hard not to root for him. And Israela Efomi's Beauty is just adorbs - I love how she brings this awkward charm to the role.

But what really gets me is Nicholas Marshall as the Beast - he's literally terrifying , and I mean that in the best way possible! His shadow puppetry skills are on point . The only thing that would make it better is if his character got more screen time, but overall, the show still delivers a solid message about acceptance and love .

Dominic Hill's staging is genius , and Joanna Bowman's set design is straight out of a fantasy novel . Lizzie Powell's lighting adds this whole other layer of depth to the show, making it feel like you're right there with Beauty and the Beast . I'm definitely going to be thinking about this production for a while now - it's just that good!

I'm totally loving how they reworked "Beauty and the Beast" into a show that's all about acceptance and human connection . I mean, it's not just some rom-com where Beauty tames the Beast, but actually a deep exploration of their complexities. Nicholas Marshall as the Beast is giving me all the feels, especially when his character has those intense moments of vulnerability . The way they balanced humor with tension was on point too . And can we talk about how beautiful (no pun intended ) Joanna Bowman's set design is? It's like you're stepping into a dream world or something . Overall, this show is all about embracing our messy humanity and loving each other despite our flaws .

I think what I loved most about this show is how it tackles the complexities of relationships in a way that's relatable to us as adults. I mean, Beauty and Beast aren't just your typical prince charming and damsel in distress. They're both flawed characters who have to navigate each other's quirks and stuff they don't understand. And can we talk about how Nicholas Marshall brings the Beast to life? He's like a big ol' softie under that gruff exterior .

But what really stood out to me was the way it explores adolescent awakening. I remember when my own kiddo was going through that phase, and it felt like they were trying to figure out who they were and where they fit in. This show does it beautifully, showing how Beauty and Beast learn to accept each other for who they are .

And Dominic Hill's staging? Wow! He has a real knack for balancing humor and pathos. It's not an easy feat, but he pulls it off with ease .

I gotta disagree, this show is way too sappy and sentimental for my taste . The romance between Beauty and the Beast is just a convenient plot device to make the whole story feel like some cheesy Hallmark special . And don't even get me started on how the Beast's character is basically just a prop to make Beauty look good . I mean, where's the depth in that? Where's the complexity? Give me something with more edge and substance any day

i'm not buying into all the swooning over marshall's beast it's just a dude in a costume getting growly and stompy. idk what the big deal is, he's supposed to be intimidating but i think his character's more of a cartoon villain than anything else. also, beauty getting her own etiquette manual feels like such an afterthought meanwhile collins' baron aaron is just a bunch of annoyingly over-the-top energy all episode

I think what really sets this "Beauty and the Beast" apart is how it subverts our expectations of a classic tale like that. I mean, we've all seen the Disney version or whatever, where the Beast just magically transforms back into a prince because Beauty loves him. But in this production, the relationship between the two characters is way more nuanced. It's not just about romance; it's about how they're both trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in, which makes for some really compelling storytelling.

And I love how the show balances humor and tension – it's like they're walking a tightrope between slapstick comedy and genuine scares. The Beast's character is especially impressive because he's not just a one-dimensional monster; he's got his own agency and motivations, even if that means being sometimes pretty scary . But what really gets me is how the show explores themes of adolescent awakening and acceptance... it's like they're saying that love can be messy and complicated, but that's what makes it worth it.

The production values are also top-notch – the set design, lighting, and special effects all come together to create this immersive experience that'll leave you feeling like you're right there with Beauty and the Beast . Overall, I think "Beauty and the Beast" is a real highlight of the current theater season, and if you haven't seen it yet, I'd highly recommend checking it out!