REVIEW: ‘Beauty’ for the holidays at Theatre Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Something magical is happening for the holidays at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

'Disney's Beauty and the Beast' is simply spectacular, dripping in spectacle.

If you have a child, buy a ticket while you still can. If you ever were a child, buy yourself a ticket while you still can.

The show has been extended to Dec. 18, and this is a gift that held children in rapt attention and made adults laugh, cry and sigh during Thursday's preview performance. Friday's opening night was sold out, and the remaining tickets are scattered in pockets of availability.

Right now, your best chances for being a guest at the enchanted castle are Dec. 1, 8, 11 and the recently added performances on Dec. 16 to 18.

The sheer beauty of the scenery, lighting and special effects are dazzling, and the rented costumes are so ornate they take your breath away.

Add to that a crisp, crystal clear orchestra, fanciful choreography, powerhouse vocals and superb acting, and you will be under this show's spell long after the 2-1/2 hours it takes for the story to unfold. That time flies by, and even the smallest ones in the audience were spellbound.

Erin Helm is a beautiful Belle, inside and out. She's strong, smart, confident and stubborn, all wrapped around the deepest inner sorrow of being 'different' from the rest of the vacuous villagers.

Daniel Kelchen is the perfect Beast. A tall man with a booming voice, he thunders, snorts, pants and growls as his humanity slowly slips away. But when he meets Belle, who brings a glimmer of hope that he could find the kind of love that will break the spell, he begins to soften. He begins to let her into his heart, and when it breaks, the ache shatters through time and space.

Their happily-ever-after doesn't come easily.

But making the ride more merry is the Beast's hilarious group of servants. Each is being transformed into 'knickknacks and whatnots,' from a motherly teapot and her sweet teacup daughter to a tic-talking clock, operatic wardrobe, French-speaking candelabra Casanova and the flirty feather-duster object of his affections.

Greg Smith lights up the stage as Lumiere, with glowing candlesticks for hands, and John Zbanek Hill is always a-fluster as the tightly-wound clock, Cogsworth. Together, they make a hilarious duo cheering on their master.

The other dynamic duo is Dustin Davis as Gaston, whose brawn and bravado far outweigh his brain, and his sidekick Lefou (Brett Borden) who offers great comic relief.

The principals are surrounded by an ensemble so strong that every production number is vibrant and enthralling, drawing cheers and whistles before they're even done.

It's a tale as old as time, but the themes it embraces — and its very heart — will never stop beating.

IF YOU GO

What: 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast'

Where: Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE

When: To Dec. 18; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Tickets: $26 to $40, TCR Box Office, (319) 366-8591 or Theatrecr.org