Hodges and Hodges Set the Stage for Broadway San Jose's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

“There may be something there that wasn’t there before” at Broadway San Jose this March 6^th – 11^th.  For a short, limited engagement Beauty and the Beast will be dazzling the San Jose stage!  Winner of the 1994 Tony for best costume design and nominated for eight others, Beauty and the Beast is based on the 1991 animated film from Walt Disney Pictures.  Beauty and the Beast has captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the globe and Broadway San Jose is bringing this treasure to the stage.    

A Tale As Old As Time:

Beauty and the Beast is the timeless story of a young prince who is transformed by a powerful enchantress into a hideous beast as punishment for having no love in his heart.  She gives him an enchanted rose and if by his twenty-first year, the Beast can “learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal falls,” then the spell will be broken.  If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.  In the provincial town near the castle Belle and her father Maurice live alone.  Maurice, an inventor, goes off in an attempt to win a contest and gets lost in the woods.  While searching for her lost father, Belle happens upon the Beast’s castle where the Beast has imprisoned him.  She exchanges herself for her father’s life and lives with the Beast and all his enchanted servants.  Can the Beast get Belle to fall in love with him before it’s too late?  I guess you’ll have to see the show at Broadway San Jose to find out. . .

What to watch for from Nick:

Beauty and The Beast is widely known by most people and so even first timers to the theatre will know the story.  That comes with an expectation to do well.  That also means having an accurate representation of the Beast and Gaston as, how shall I say, “manly.”  You should also look for that Disney quality when it comes to the big musical numbers that we all know and love.  “Be Our Guest” and the battle scene at the end should be fantastic to see and I’m very excited!

What to watch and listen for  from Linda:

Expect soaring vocals against a backdrop of romance and comedy.  Since it’s a touring company, flagging energy can be an issue, but adrenalin should kick in for the actors before each curtain.  We should get the feeling that the castle’s enchanted servants have known each other for an eternity.  Good directing and seasoned acting should make it clear that Gaston’s misogynistic tendencies are a big negative.  Lastly, the dancing should be stellar.  I’m not overly fond of touring company sets, but we’ll see if this one rises above the rest.

Beautiful and Beastly things to do in San Jose!

Be an Inventor Like Maurice! – Take the whole family to The Tech Museum for a day of hands-on learning and fun!  They have a wide variety of exhibits and IMAX films including “Ingenious Innovations: Islamic Science Rediscovered” and a hands-on technology and science museum where their “galleries inspire the innovator in all of us.”  There’s also an “After Hours” event monthly where adults can enjoy the magic of science with some cocktails all at night.  Visit them at www.thetech.org.

Who Wants To Be Like Gaston!? – Visit O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub for that old tavern feel at www.oflahertyspub.com.  Or visit Trials Pub, www.trialspub.com, an authentic British pub – both in San Jose.

The Beast’s Enchanted Castle – If you want to experience a little of what Belle went through upon entering a creepy, haunted castle then head on over to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose!  This famous mansion is a labyrinth of twists and turns and will give you the same creepy feeling Belle got when she went to rescue her father.  Visit them at www.winchestermysteryhouse.com

Have a drink with Mrs. Potts! – Head on over to the Satori Tea Company where they are “serving inspired teas blended and brewed by the discriminating palate of a world-traveled tea mistress.”   Enjoy a nice hot brew and think of Chip and Mrs. Potts before enjoying the show.  Visit their website at www.thesatoriteacompany.com

Be Our Guest! – Visit Le Papillon in San Jose for a very fancy meal worthy of Lumiere himself!  Le Papillon is run by Chef Cooper who has taken numerous trips to Europe, the Pacific and Asia which has expanded his understanding of the world of food.  But his visits to France have proven most inspirational to the development of his cuisine.  Come and be their guest by visiting their website at www.lepapillon.com.

Hodges and Hodges will be there opening night.  We hope to see you there!

Beauty and the Beast
March 6 – 11, 2012
Written by Linda Woolverton
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
www.broadwaysanjose.com
Photo courtesy of Broadway San Jose

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