Yarden Barr as Belle in Area Stage Company's "Beauty and the Beast."
by Jan Engoren, Arts Writer
To paraphrase a line from the show, “Beauty and the Beast,” “If it’s not Baroque, don’t fix it.”
Not only is it not “Baroque,” the four-time Carbonell award winning immersive show, “Beauty and the Beast,” presented by Area Stage Company, returns Thursday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Dec. 21 for an encore and final run at Beast’s Castle at Sunset Place Mall.
"This new immersive space, which opened with 'The Little Mermaid' earlier this year, is hosting Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' for the first time here in South Miami, providing an opportunity for the community to come and experience an award-winning production in a non-traditional setting," says Maria Banda-Rodaz, Area Stage Company’s executive director.
With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and book by Linda Woolverton, the production is faithful to Disney’s 1994 Broadway production.
Directed by Giancarlo Rodaz, who won a Silver Palm Award for “Outstanding Direction” for the show in 2022, the 28-year-old Rodaz comes to his role organically as his parents, John Rodaz and Maria Banda-Rodaz founded the theatre in 1989.
New York-based actor, Yarden Barr, reprises her inaugural role as Belle and is joined by Carbonell-nominated Frank Montoto as Gaston and Lumiere, John Mazuelos as Lefou and Cogsworth, Katie Duerr as Mrs. Potts, Antoinette Jane Mess as Chip, Gabriella Alfonso as Babette and Carbonell winner Tico Chiriboga in dual roles as Maurice and Madame de la Grand Bouche.
Barr was on a national tour with another show during “Beauty and the Beast’s” second production in 2023, but has picked up where she left off for this third iteration.
Newcomer Tristan Caldwell, who appeared in the national tour of "Little Women," plays the title role of the Beast and actively sought out the role, auditioning for it a number of times over the past few years, including for the national tour.
Happy now that he is here to assume the role at Area Stage, Caldwell says, “I’m thrilled to be here and a part of this talented cast.”
“It’s the most interesting theater experience you can have,” says Caldwell. “There’s no room for falseness.”
His first time performing in an immersive theater environment, he says he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous. While preparation is key, he says, there’s an element of nerves in being in close quarters with the audience.
Area Stage Company's “Beauty and the Beast” is back but this time at its South Miami home base. (Photo courtesy of Giancarlo Rodaz)
Area Stage Company's “Beauty and the Beast” is back but this time at its South Miami home base. (Photo courtesy of Giancarlo Rodaz)
One of the few baritone roles for a leading man, Caldwell says the music is “tricky and challenging, but a real joy.”
“It’s a powerful story arc and a challenge to play the role.”
For Barr, taking part in an immersive theater production adds to the acting experience.
Guests dine alongside Belle in the “Be Our Guest,” number, raise a toast with Lefou in the tavern during “Gaston,” and present books to Belle in the Beast’s grand library.
“You see the audience’s reactions up close and experience an immediate, emotional response from them,” she says. “It’s very gratifying.”
Frank Montoto as Lumiere, who also doubles as Gaston in Area Stage Company's “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo courtesy of Giancarlo Rodaz)
Frank Montoto as Lumiere, who also doubles as Gaston in Area Stage Company's “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo courtesy of Giancarlo Rodaz)
The character of Belle is Barr’s favorite Disney character, she says, and she watched the Disney film many times as a child. So taken with the character, Barr named her childhood cat, Belle.
Stepping back into the character “feels so natural,” she says. It’s great to see her friends and fellow cast mates in their respective roles and to see how much they’ve grown over the past two years.
With two more years of experience under her belt, she’s grown, too, but says her character, “Is the same Belle.”
“I love her heart,” says Barr. “She’s willing to see the best in people and to give as much of herself as possible.”
For artistic director Rodaz, is there pressure to produce, having set a high bar with the two previous productions?
“Just the opposite,” he says. “I’m very nonchalant. I’ve got a great team, a great space and a great story to tell.”
“It’s been lots of fun and not pressure at all,” he says.
He believes the third time is the charm, with this production being the cleanest, tightest version and new cast members bringing a fresh perspective to the table.
“I love the cast and am totally confident in this great team and excited to see what they bring to their roles,” he says. “There’s an electricity among the cast.”
Like most Disney shows, Rodaz says the story appeals to adults and kids alike. He remembers a father who brought his young daughter to the show and was both taken and surprised with his own emotional experience.
“ 'Beauty and the Beast 'is an emotional experience on par with 'Les Miz' and the 'Phantom of the Opera,' says Rodaz, who grew up in Florida, frequenting the Disney theme parks.
Expressing an affinity for the Harry Potter worlds, Rodaz appreciates the immersive experience they offer.
He says it allows people to enter an alternate reality. With so much screen and on-line time, Rodaz says audiences are hungry for an authentic, intimate and emotional theater experience.
“I love that feeling of escaping the world you know and entering a world full of fantasy,” he says.
“That’s what we’re doing here with Beauty and the Beast,” he says. “Watch love and romance blossom and see these stories come to life.”
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Rodaz says.
WHAT: Area Stage’s “Beauty and the Beast”
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 22. Show times: 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Beast’s Castle at the Shops at Sunset Place Mall, 5701 Sunset Drive, Suite 286, South Miami
TICKETS: $40 to $80
INFORMATION: (305) 666-2078 or areastage.org.
