Disney’s ‘Beauty’ shows at Aladdin

Friday, Feb. 3, 2006 | 12:30 p.m.

The "beast" on the opening night of the musical "Beauty and the Beast'' was the sound system.

Hopefully by now the system's bugs have been exterminated and fans are enjoying Disney's stage version of its 1991 animated motion picture based upon the centuries-old tale.

It will be at the Aladdin's Theatre for the Performing Arts through Sunday.

"Beauty" is in its 12th year on Broadway, one of the longest-running productions in the history of the Great White Way.

The touring company arrived in Las Vegas earlier this week, debuting Wednesday night to a modestly sized audience that included a lot of children, some of whom seemed to me to be too young to appreciate the family-oriented production.

The musical lasts 2 1/2 hours, and some of the younger fans were asleep by the end; others were a little fidgety.

But those who were able to focus, including adults, were treated to a decent production that generally remained true to the Broadway show.

Most of us are familiar with the Disney retelling of the fairy tale that has been told in many different ways - from poetry to ballet, books to film and stage.

The original tale was darker and more forboding than Disney's sanitized telling, which is a story of Belle, a headstrong and independent daughter of an inventor, and the Beast.

The Beast is a young prince who cannot see past first appearances. After rejecting a request by an old woman to give her shelter for the night, the woman reveals herself to be an enchantress and puts the prince under a spell that may only be broken by his falling in love and being loved in return.

The stage production's adaptation of the animated version has a cast that includes talking tea pots, cups, clocks, candles, spoons and other objects.

The stars of the show are Sarah Darling as Belle (a role that featured the voice of Las Vegan Paige O'Hara in the film) and Graham Rowat as the Beast (Robby Benson in the movie).

Both were exceptional in their roles, but the person who seemed to have the most fun onstage was the scene-chewing Edward Watts, as Gaston, the egomaniacal villain who wants to marry Belle.

Some critics have complained that the Gaston character is too cartoonish.

The entire production is cartoonish, which is part of the appeal.

Good bets

The drag queen musical, produced by Rich Superand Paul Reder, had a brief run at the Westin in 2004.

The production features four men in 1950s hairdos who sing a capella.

Shows will be at 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Tickets are $42.50.

For information, call 732-5755.

Shows will be at 10 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax.

For information, call 732-6325.

The show is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 and $75.

For information, call 733-3333.

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or at jerry@lasvegassun.com.