A tale as old as time will hit the stage at First Presbyterian Theater when Beauty & The Beast is performed over the course of two weekends between Sept. 13 and 22. 

Although audiences are surely familiar with the story, they are sure to take new ideas and perspectives with them from the theater. 

Underlying messages

First Presbyterian Theater Managing Creative Director Todd Sandman Cruz described the show as “very entertaining” for all ages, and added adults might see some applicable through lines in the plot and casting. 

“(The character Belle) loves books,” he said. “She loves education, so certainly that is a theme throughout: Her need for education is more important than being the most popular girl. She wants to be educated and move on, move out. She doesn’t want to get stuck married to anyone and stay in this town forever. She’s got big dreams.”

Citing particular undertones of the plot, Sandman Cruz noted intentionality in casting Black actors for the roles of Belle and Beast, with Ta’korei Moore and Ennis Brown filling those roles, respectively. 

“Especially because she’s so much about education and reading … it’s not necessarily something a lot of people will get, but you know, there is that whole side of education and being African American, and is it equal to what others get?” he said.

Playing the part

Brown told Whatzup he has always wanted to portray Beast, but standing at 5-foot-11, he felt he was not tall enough. 

He said he has to make himself “appear big and, on stage, to kind of command that stage and that proudness of a Beast. So the challenge was, how was I going to overcome that?”

He said he altered the way he walked and stood while performing to give him a “Beast-like appearance.” 

Brown’s approach to playing Beast proves he’s no beginner. Having participated in theater since he was in seventh grade, his appreciation for the arts blossomed at Bishop Luers High School.

“That’s where I really loved theater, under Karlene Krouse there, and I went to school for performing arts at the University of Southern Indiana.”

Brown has numerous Anthony Awards, annual accolades distributed by Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. His most recent Anthony Award was for his portrayal of Paul in The Civic’s Six Degrees of Separation in March.

He credits Beauty & The Beast director Ranae Butler for contributing to his success. 

“I’ve learned so much by just watching her and just being under her guidance, and so I always thank her for that,” he said.

As for this show, Brown said audiences have never seen anything like this rendition of Beauty & The Beast.

“The songs, the dancing, the acting, like each actor, you can tell the difference between everyone,” he said. “Everyone has really honed in on who their character is. 

“The vocals, the singing is amazing. There’s some amazing singers and amazing actors … everybody in the show, they’re known to give it their all. They’re known to be top tier, so this is going to be a great performance.”

Whisked away

Sandman Cruz agreed, saying the music, while sounding simple, is actually a complexity of the production.

“The music is, when you initially hear it and in the film, it sounds like it’s fairly simple, but it’s pretty difficult music,” he said. “Gary Amstutz is our music director, and he’s done a phenomenal job with this cast. We can set up some good numbers.”

Not only will audiences be in for a treat as they listen to the music, but they will be swept away as Brown “transforms” on stage. 

“Being on stage, it takes you away to another place, into this imaginary world, and you can become someone else,” Brown said. “And you don’t have to think about the things that are going on in your normal life. 

“So, that’s the thing that draws me to theater and that’s the thing that keeps me (going), the love to just put smiles on people’s faces as I become someone else.”

“I think it’s one of the most heartwarming, enjoyable musicals that Disney has,” Sandman Cruz said of the show. “And you know, it tells a story on many levels. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. It’s got a little bit of everything, and it’s going to be a great time.”