"Beauty and The Beast" presented by Texas Ballet Theater

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
program

"Beauty and The Beast" arrived at Bass Hall performed by the cast of the Texas Ballet Theatre. The Travelling Toe and 2 Dear Friends attended the Sunday matinee performance.  As one might expect, the audience was full of little girls all dressed up in Beauty costumes with many also wearing tiaras.   

 Lew Christensen was the choreographer of the ballet. (1952-1984)

The synopsis of the ballet from the program is as follows:

ACT 1

A young girl, Beauty, wanders with her father into the domain of the Beast.  Beauty asks her father to pick a rose for her.  He does so, and the enraged Beast takes Beauty captive and banishes her father.  The Beast courts the captive Beauty with everything at his command.  She is terrified by his attentions, and flees to the cottage of her father and sisters.

ACT 2

Stags from the forest come to Beauty, bearing the rose and lead her back.  The Beast has died of a broken heart. His kingdom is in mourning, and as he lies on his funeral bier, Beauty realizes she loves him.  Her farewell kiss restores him to life and his true nature: the Beast is transformed into a prince, and the kingdom rejoices at the wedding of Beauty and the Prince.  

Beauty and the Beast, adapted from the 18th century fairy tale by

 Madame LePrince de Beaumont.

Madame LePrince de Beaumont
1711-1780

This was indeed a beautiful ballet.  The storyline is a bit different from the one produced by the Disney Company.  The ballet uses forest animals instead of teapots and candlesticks. Also, her sisters back at the cottage, were reminiscent of the evil stepsisters from Cinderella and were a funny touch in the ballet.

The costumes by Jose Varona, were so beautiful and indicative of the characters portrayed.  

We were so fortunate to see Carolyn Judson as Beauty and Alexander Kotelenets as Beast.  They were an expressive and passionate duet.  What a wonderful performance!

Texas Ballet Theater

Bass Hall