Beauty and the Beast, the Broadway Musical

Tale as old as time. Timely classic and romance (I know, cheesy, I can't think of anything else). So I actually finally went around and saw the Broadway musical. It was a second run in Toronto at the Four Seasons Centre.

I was just reading the The Toronto Star online and this article came up. It's always interesting to read a review before going to see a play or movie. While I did agree to some of the points but to give it a 1.5 out of 4? And called the 2.5hr show a life sentence? Give me a break! How do people hire these "critics" and give these terrible reviews?

Here's my honest opinion on the show itself:

As I said, I have not seen the original Broadway/Toronto production so I don't know of the "extravagant" settings. For what it's worth, the stage is only so big and I think they did a wonderful job of using what they had to change scenes by rolling different sets, turning it around and placing them in a different area on stage. It's hardly worth complaining the "fact that it’s a touring production is reflected in sets and costumes." For people who are did not grow up in the Broadway stage settings or understand how it should be lay out on stage. This is a terrible reason to put down a show.

Costumes were fine. You can only do so much with Beast's mane. Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Babette, and Madame de la Grande Bouche, their costume did reflect their animation counter parts. I can't imagine really putting Madame de la Grande Bouche in a real closet costume and what they did I thought was ingenious. Oh and the way Chip was presented - brilliant.

The story itself is near identical of the Disney animation, extra songs were added and humour is a large part of the show. Gaston, in particular, is the funniest character on the play. He really emphasized the ego, playboy and as thestar article stated narcissistic personality. You actually enjoyed the Broadway Gaston more the animation Gaston.

Music is my expertise and I can tell you, I really enjoyed the music, from the overture to the songs themselves were memorable. I was surprise about the fact that the cast of Beauty and the Beast had a near identical voice to the Disney movie. I certainly think that is a plus. Because when you are reproducing something, people have certain expectations and wants to hear familiarity.

Emily Behny played Belle and her voice was absolutely beautiful. She carried the Belle tune exactly the way you would remember it in the movie. And when she hit the high note, it was a thing of beauty.

Matt Farcher played Gaston and I believe he really stole the show. He had the powerful tenor voice and his personality brought Gaston to life that made Gaston an enjoyable character and not the jerk that's in the movie.

Michael Haller as Lumiere was also likeable but I wonder if that's because it's Lumiere. Afterall, he is the French candle romantic guy.

Jessica Lorion played Babette and I loved the character. It's pretty funny that everytime she's on stage, she has to "shake it." I mean, she is the brush...

James May as Cogsworth was also likeable. He was very close to the movie character as well but wasn't my favourite.

Julia Louise Hosack as Mrs. Potts. Who doesn't love Mrs. Potts? Of course Julia is no Angela Lansbury and while she didn't sound like her, Julia brought a different character voice to Mrs. Potts that was pleasantly good. I sort of feel bad for her to have to keep her left arm up as the stout of the tea pot.

Leaving the last important character to review but unfortunately not the good is Beast played by Dane Agostinis. This is where I agreed the the thestar article. The original Beast in the movie is voiced by Robby Benson. While his voice was altered for the movie, it was kind of disappointed to hear Beast's voice and missing that depth. I don't think it helped that he was a tenor. One voice that is very distinct is that of David Keith of Disney's Gargoyle fame. He has the perfect tone and deepness in his voice that was needed for Beast. Unfortunately, Dane Agostinis didn't have it. It really took away the sad, tortured soul persona.

All in all though, it is still a good show. I definitely rate the show a lot better then what thestar gave. It is not a perfect show but it is definitely worth going to watch with friends.

The Help (A Movie Review)

I have finally gotten around to watching The Help.

What made me wanted to watch this movie was the story itself taking places during America's segregation in the 60s. I am glad that I am not born in that era and to have to go through the discrimination. However, being of ethnic minority, these same prejudice and discrimination are still happening in the 21st Century.

Over the last 50 years, human civilization itself has changed SO much (computers, cellphones, cars, medicine, etc) and yet, we, as people, are still trying kill one another or deny people's basic rights.

I know the movie was based on the book. Since I have not read it, I will solely based it on the movie.

I wanted to watch this movie and have an understanding of that particular era. The movie really emphasized the segregation of the 60s. And watching it now in 2012, some of these discrimination just blew my mind.

One thing that jumped out is really how discrimination is taught. We don't go out and make a decision to say "so today, I'm going to hate *insert group* because they're *insert stereotype*."

This quote shows exactly what I'm talking about:
Skeeter: These colored women raise white children, and in twenty years those children become the boss.

Somehow, somewhere, in the 20 years raised by these colour women, the white children learned to discriminate against someone who was essentially their mother, just not biologically.
Another scene that made me ponder about the discrimination was the use of toilets. I remember reading and watching some videos of how coloured and whites were not allowed to used the same water fountain or same bus. In the movie, toilets should not be shared because white people will get "the disease." When I saw the scene where they proposed a law to build a separate toilet for coloured people, I went "say what? You can't get disease from sharing a toilet." It is one of those things that we do not understand today.

Going back to the roles of these coloured women, they were to cook, clean, and take care of babies. Did you know that this actually STILL exist today? In Hong Kong, I would estimate that about 60-70% of family has a live-in maid of Filipino background. I can't be certain of the pay rate (certain would be decent enough) but to have a live-in maid to do EVERYTHING. And I have seen children being spoiled by it. And then it's things like these that you realized, we have not really evolved into better people. We still treat some people of other race a lower class because of where they're from. End of Rant.

I really liked how some of the character's were developed. Celia was awkward but funny and was more modern then her housewife counterparts. While Hilly was the type of bitch you dislike because of her backward points of views.

After all my rant and complain, I really did enjoy the movie. Although, their Southern accent sometimes meant "what did they just say?" it was still worth watching. I actually plan on watching it again eventually.

Best line of the movie: "Eat My Shit!"