Revamped ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Is Long on Cosmetic Appeal

Newly revamped, Little Broadway Productions’ two-year-old musical “Beauty and the Beast” has not lost its cosmetic appeal--it is still one of the prettiest productions around, thanks to Jerry W. Abbitt’s softly shaded backdrops painted to look like pages in a book of fairytales and attractive costumes with an 18th-Century look.

At its best, the show is charming and humorous--the interaction between the Beast (Bruce Sanborn) and Beauty (Christina Stevens) is the highlight. At its worst, erratic pacing and a clutter of expository songs make its 80 minutes or so an uphill climb.

Beauty’s foolish father and greedy, selfish siblings have less to do than before, and they are rushed through their musical numbers at a hectic clip. Since director/writer Rob Bowers chose to make this an opera, not being able to catch all the lyrics makes for bumpy plot progress.

When Beauty arrives at the Beast’s castle, most of the entertainment begins. Stevens, slender and graceful, strains a bit at the high notes, but she has a lovely, clear voice. Both she and Sanborn appealingly play comedy as well as sentiment--Beauty is no wan, martyred goody-goody and the Beast has a surprising sense of humor. Sanborn’s attempt to kiss Beauty’s hand, while obstructed by his imposing nose, is a kick.

The cast periodically turns and addresses the audience in chorus; that works well. But the back-and-forth action between the Beast’s castle and the family farm quickly becomes tiresome.

Some members of the audience at La Mirada Civic Theatre, where the show made a stop on its Junior Programs tour, faded in the home stretch.

At UCLA’s Wadsworth Theatre on the Veterans’ Administration grounds in Westwood on Sunday at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Under 5 years old not admitted. $3-$5. (213) 271-6402. Also at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys, Dec. 20-23, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $3.50. (818) 509-0963.