SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley Stagehands have reached new heights with their rendition of Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast.” The good news is you still have time to see …
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SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley Stagehands have reached new heights with their rendition of Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast.” The good news is you still have time to see it. The bad news is, there’s only one more weekend of shows and this is one that could be viewed over and over.
Directed by Gary Lukes and Ann Turner, the animated Disney movie comes to life on this hometown stage with stunning sets, beautiful costumes and soaring talent. It’s not an exaggeration to say this musical could stand with any big city production and be proud.
An incredible cast brings to life the story of Belle (played by St. Paul resident Lindsay Bundgaard), who agrees to stay in the castle of the terrible Beast (played by Stagehands alum Christopher Harney) in exchange for the release of her father, the absent-minded inventor Maurice (played by Wade Gardner).
The Beast and his loyal servants have been put under a spell by a witch disguised as a haggard beggar woman who asked the Young Prince (Merrick Johnson) for help. When he turned her down, she turned him into a hideous creature with long fangs and claws, horns and a massive, furry body. His loyal servants were transformed into household items, such as dishes, a feather duster, a dresser and more. To break the curse, the Beast must fall in love with a young woman and she must fall in love with him before the magic rose’s last petal falls.
Each and every cast member in this production exudes talent, from the dancing of the Napkins to the astonishing vocal range of Madame de la Grande Bouche (Hudson High School alumna Andy Wildes) to the comedic exchanges between Cogsworth (Derek Huebel) and Lumiere (Riley Hackbarth). The singing is phenomenal all the way around and the roar of the Beast can be heard all the way to Highway 29. At the end of the show, the audience was left wanting more.
New upgrades in sound and lighting in the historic theatre are a welcome addition to showcasing the talents of the Stagehands, which will perform “Beauty & the Beast” this weekend at 7 p.m. July 18-20 and at 2 p.m. July 21. The show on July 14 was sold out, so make sure to get your tickets ahead of time by visiting svstagehands.org
