Displaying items by tag: Mark Banik
"Disney's Beauty and The Beast" at Drury Lane is an Exciting Rollercoaster of Love
I loved the Disney version of Beauty and The Beast on the big screen and I think children who have been wowed by the movie version will also be wowed by Drury Lane Theatre’s sumptuous stage production as well. Director Alan Souza and choreographer Ron De Jesus pull out all the stops and keep these characters on the run with a high tech revolving set of staircases overlooked by an enormous glowing rose which we all know is counting down the time The Beast has left to woo Beauty and tame his childish self-centeredness in order to release his entire kingdom from the spell cast when he meanly turned away a magic spirit disguised as a poor old crone.
Drury’s “Beauty and the Beast” contains super solid vocal and comedic performances from ALL of the supporting players in this show, getting superb contributions from characters Lumiere (Tony Carter), Cogsworth (Nick Cosgrove), Babette (Sierra Schnack), Mrs. Potts (Bri Sudia) and her son Chip (Sophie Ackerman), Madam de la Grande Bouche (Catherine Smitko) and Monsieur D’Argue (Billy Rude).
The magnificently designed, flattering "glow in the dark" period costumes by (Ryan Park) really pop visually and move with each performers while giving you the sense that each person is truly "trapped" in the role of what they did or worked as when the spell was cast, just as many of us feel we are in daily life by our job roles.
Delightful songs fill the theatre throughout this masterful production. “Be Our Guest” is a true showstopper that, with so many talented dancers, comedians and the brilliantly designed and colorful amazing costumes swirling up and down the ever moving staircases, it makes the whole audience want to race down to the stage and urge Belle to join the Beast for dinner.
Erica Stephan as Belle gives us a gutsy yet sensible and very intelligent portrayal of "Beauty" and little girls will love how she sticks to her guns when insisting that the Beast act like a gentleman and not a bossy, somewhat unmannerly boyfriend.
Brandon Contreras is a moody, dark version of the Beast but his shy sense of humor and triumphantly rich vocal range make his performance one that takes a while for Belle to warm up to but finally endears him to her and the audience, as his complex emotions for Belle finally shine out when he is able to make tender his actions AND words towards her.
Mrs. Potts (Bri Sudia) is another character actress who has an amazing vocal range and her songs are deserving of special notice because they are so well delivered vocally along with her gift for physical comedy.
The play’s nemesis, Gaston, played by Mark Banik is a suitably sexist but not too scary Gaston and delivers some great physical comedy as well.
It's true that this story like many fairytales starts out with a beautiful yet intelligent heroine with two equally awful men to choose from (or run from in this case) and ends up with marriage to a Prince as the end goal. But at least "Beauty and The Beast" requires the complete transformation of one of the "beasts" chasing after her hand in marriage into a man deserving of her love instead of a brute that she must endlessly battle for respect.
As one of the best all-around productions I've seen in a long time, I highly recommend this stunning, exciting and fast-paced musical to young and old alike this Holiday Season. I was blown away by visually stunning set and the tremendous talent assembled for this show and I think you will be, too.
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast" will be performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook through January 27th. www.drurylanetheatre.com
The 37th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival Returns September 20 – October 26 at Six Chicago venues
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Collaboraction announces two major productions at its new House of Belonging in Humboldt Park in 2026-27
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A Red Orchid Theatre Opens 34th Season with Chicago Premiere of HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING October 29 – December 6, 2026
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Open Space Arts to present THE SWALLOW, by Spain's Guillem Clua, September 11 - 27
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CHICAGO HUMANITIES announces full Fall Festival 2026 programming
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Tin Drum Theatre Company announces Chicago premiere of A Dark Wood by Eric Coble, Oct. 15–Nov. 1 at Greenhouse Theater Center
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Young dancers and performers invited to audition for Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker, September 10 and 13
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Music Director/Conductor James Moore To Receive Sarah Siddons Society's "Leading Artist Award"
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House of the Exquisite Corpse, Chicago’s only puppet haunted house, returns with the nightmare-inducing new theme LULLABIES, October 8-November 1 at Steppenwolf’s The Merle
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Red Clay Dance Company announces Season 18 programming
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Mean Girls, the hit Broadway musical getting a fierce Chicago premiere at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre, August 26-October 11
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American Blues Theater names Nia Akilah Robinson the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award for her play Overnight at the Museum and announces featured finalists Benjamin Benne and Claire Crowley
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Love and Time On Our Side: The Notebook: The Musical at Broadway in Chicago
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Otherworld Theatre's Starship Edsel - Second City’s De Maat Theatre - Through September 13
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Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Announces Mud Row October 15 - November 15 at Theater Wit
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Victory Gardens Theater presents the World Premiere of Zayd Ayers Dohrn's The Humanities beginning September 10th
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Goodman Theatre Presents Dead Girl's Quinceañera September 26th Through November 1st
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Steppenwolf Theatre Presents ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE – October 22 – December 6, 2026 – World Premiere!
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Writers Theatre celebrates record-breaking 2025/26 Season with artistic growth and unprecedented ticket sales
04 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzWriters Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, concluded its 2025/26…
Chicago City Opera presents a Mozart double feature of The Impresario and Bastien and Bastienne August 15th & 16th
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The Notebook - James M. Nederlander Theatre - Through August 16th
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Harris Theater Presents return of Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Aug. 28
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Chicago Magic Lounge Welcomes Back David Parr as Fall Artist in Residence with Time Traveler October 7 – December 16
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ETA’s for colored girls Honors the Enduring Power of Ntozake Shange
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yo ho. Delivers Queer Pirate Chaos, Big Laughs, and Fierce Swordplay
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PrideArts' WINDOWS - Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted - Through August 23rd
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The Outsiders - Cadillac Palace - Through August 16th
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Tin Drum Theatre Company announces Chicago premiere of A Dark Wood by Eric Coble, Oct. 15–Nov. 1 at Greenhouse Theater Center
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