Just Released: 2010/11 Annual Report to the Community - The Four Seasons in Review

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is pleased to share its
2010/11 Annual Report to the Community – The Four Seasons in Review. 

Click here to view the report online!

Enchanting Night at Beauty and The Beast

Last night, at the opening of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast it was an enchanting night. At the moment we walked in we were transported into a magical world. The set was amazing. The voices and instrumentation beautiful, the acting well done. We loved the costuming. It was incredible! From the moment Emily Behny (Belle) rise into her first big number there’s no question that the production is above and beyond. An excellent clean sound and a stable mix are as necessary to the hit of a musical as the endowment of the performers.


Dane Agostinis (Beast) lives up to expectations in all matter. Logan Denninghoff (Gaston) is wonderful on all view playing the pretentious and terminally vain scoundrel of the story. Andrew Kruep (Lefou) brings humor to the role of Gaston’s frequently abused assistant.


Merritt David Janes (Lumiere) leads absolutely over a wonderfully staged “Be Our Guest” number that has dancing plates and kitchen gadgets filling the stage. Keith Kirkwood (Cogsworth), Erin Elizabeth Coors (Babette) and Sabina Petra (Mrs. Potts) join as remarkable members of the charming and enchanted castle’s staff.


A must see!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast - A Review

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was, in a word, fun.

A few other words that could be used to describe the production: amazing costumes, a set design that is nothing short of brilliant, excellent use of lighting, great acting, and lively music.

If you’ve enjoyed the Disney movie, you are familiar with the story and will recognize your favorite scenes and songs (my personal favorite being the song “Gaston” and its respective pub scene). If this musical is your introduction to Disney’s version of the story, well, you will absolutely enjoy your first taste of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Rob Roth, the director who originally brought the production to the stage where it enjoyed a 13-year run, is back for this slightly updated rendition. Featuring seven new songs, along with six classics, the musical makes me want to go back and watch the Disney movie to find the differences (it’s been a while). I recognize the biggies - "Gaston," "Be Our Guest," and "Beauty and the Beast" – and they are all sung beautifully (Belle, played by Emily Behny, has a particularly wonderful and strong voice). But for the life of me, I can’t discern exactly what is new… and that’s a credit to the production. The new material is weaved in so well and stays so true to the feel of the original, it’s difficult to tell what’s been added.

As I stated earlier, the costumes were amazing. Bringing cartoon characters like the candelabra Lumiere, Cogsworth the clock, Mrs. Potts, the goofy Lefou, and of course, the Beast, to life has a lot to do with the actors. But the human actors can take those characters only so far. The costumes do the rest. From Lumiere’s candle hands (constantly popping alive with “flames”) to the Beast’s mane and fangs, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward does an excellent job of maintaining the cartoonish fun, while allowing the actors to become the character.

Most impressive to me, however, is the set design. I was curious as to how the production would be able to pull off creating a “sprawling” town, a spooky woods, and a large, empty castle all contained on the same stage. The solution is brilliant. Using a variety of small, mobile set pieces and an array of curtains, it’s very easy to forget that the whole show takes place on a 103’ x 50’ stage. The choreography is such that it works in perfect harmony with the movement of the pieces. The set design and its usage are nearly as intriguing and entertaining as the musical itself. The result is the illusion of a larger world that is easy to fall into as a viewer.

And, I think, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the mug-clinking dance during Gaston’s pub scene. As I mentioned above, this scene and song is one of my favorite parts of Disney’s story, and the addition of the mug-clinking dance only made it that much more so. Judging from the audience’s reaction, I am not the only one who enjoyed it. It seems so German, so perfect for Wisconsin. Plus, it is just downright cool. Twenty or so people, each armed with two mugs of “beer,” dance through the pub while collectively banging their mugs against those of the pub patrons next to them. Behind the back, under the legs, lying/sitting down, arm and arm. Together, in rhythm, and on cue. Truly, no one can mug-clink like the egotistical, self-centered Gaston.

But there is so much more… life-sized dancing plates, knives, salt and pepper shakers, and, one of my personal favorites, the welcome mat. Horribly painful puns between Cogsworth and Lumiere (I laughed at every one of them!). Streamers launching into the audience. The use of puppetry for the wolves. The live orchestra. The transformation of the Beast into a man. All of it is enjoyable. I could go on and on (I know, I know, too late).

Last night’s audience was made up of dozens of little boys and girls (a number of the girls showing up in their princess outfits), just as many octogenarians, and everyone between. And, as near as I could tell, age didn’t matter… they all enjoyed Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

How could they not? It was just so fun.

Beauty and the Beast: Edge of Seat Entertainment

The Center never fails to entertain, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast is no exception! From the opening sets, colorful and intriguing, to the grand finale, the show is magnificent! Everyone in the family will enjoy this much-beloved classic.

Opening night is a special event, of course, but this production is a special event on its own.
The sets are gorgeous and fascinating. The acting is top-notch with outstanding acoustics in the entire Fox Cities P.A.C. The colors and motion are riveting, moving the plot along flawlessly, while enaging the audience in the antics. The costuming is perfect, colorful, and eye-pleasing and unique.

The live orchestra is a treat! The music familiar and emotional, wafts out of the orchestra pit engulfing the listeners in nostalgia. The sound is as special as the compelling storyline. This is entertainment at its best!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is a spellbinding production filled with talented players, an acrobatic sensation, surprising special effects involving the audience, and choreography beyond the imagination. The entire production is staged to a backdrop of double entendre and a play on words that keeps it fresh and lively.

The audience response was genuine and spontaneous throughout. There were chuckles, groans, and full out laughs as the troupe presented its original interpretation of the ageless story of the beauty and the beast. Great entertainment!

Make The Arts A Family Event

It seems like it’s getting harder and harder to draw kids away from their video games and TV for some real quality time with the family, but the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has some upcoming events that just might do the trick. March 29 - April 3,Disney’s Beauty and the Beast comes to life onstage, and the characters (and utensils) your kids know and love will become larger-than-life. 

This spring, things get wild when Madagascar Live! comes to the Center May 3-4. The stars of Central Park Zoo – Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip Hippo and three cunning penguins – step off the screen of DreamWorks’ blockbuster movie to strike out on an adventure. Tickets start at $18, so there’s room for the whole family to be a part of the fun. 

With popular stories and kid-friendly characters, these shows are a great way to introduce young people to theater. Visit foxcitiespac.com to see a full events listing, and discover the shows that will inspire your kids’ imagination with the glow of the spotlight!

EVENT UPDATE:Due to unforseen circumstances, DreamWorks Theatricals and Broadway Across America have canceled all performances of Madagascar Live! This cancellation includes the engagement May 3-4, 2011 at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. If you have already purchased tickets, please click here for more information on your automatic refund.

Coming Soon: Disney's Beauty and The Beast

It’s amazing how well Disney movies adapt to the stage, and Disney’sBeauty and The Beastis no exception. Not sure what to expect when some of your favorite animated characters come to life? Click below for a sneak-peek of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center’s next Broadway show!