Beauty and the Beast at Starlight
photos by Matthew Murphy
This July, Kansas City's Starlight Theatre brings everyone's favorite Disney love story to the stage with NETworks’ touring production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast July 13-19.
My family attended the opening night production and once again, my girls fell in love with Beauty and the Beast and with Starlight. Starlight, Kansas City's original outdoor theater, is a beloved summer tradition. We love the huge outdoor theater, the fountains, the magic of watching a show under the stars.
With four daughters, our entire family loves the Disney’s Beauty and the Beast film and musical. We have watched local productions of the play in the past, and this version was our all-time favorite.
The story of Belle, the girl who loves to read and her father, the local "crazy inventor," living in a small town in France where the "Brawny Brut" Gaston tries to woo Belle to be his wife. Belle is not interested in Gaston's shallow veneer and this upsets him - he'll go to any length to marry her. Things get complicated when her father travels one evening through the woods and is attacked by wolves, he seeks refuge at a mysterious castle and that is where we meet the Beast. The castle is inhabited by furniture come to life and a Beast, all under the curse of an enchantress. These former humans will not be human again unless the Beast can find a girl to love and love him in return. Beast holds Belle's father hostage, and when Belle finds him in the castle she convinces the Beast to let her father go and keep her - forever - in exchange. Over time, the two become friends... and fall in love.
The play follows the Disney film script very closely with the addition of a few new songs that work well for the stage adaptation. This show offered all that a Broadway show should offer - gorgeous, colorful sets, big musical numbers ("Be Our Guest" was the standout favorite), and a talented cast.
Brooke Quintana as Belle offered beautiful vocals to her songs and a very strong portrayal of Belle as a confident and intelligent protagonist. Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek was perfectly cast as the villain, Gaston. Matt Dasilva was hilarious as the bumbling sidekick Lefou. The supporting cast did a great job in the roles of candlelabra, clock, vanity, and teapot!
Beauty and the Beast at Starlight is a summer must-see for Kansas City families! You don't want to miss out on this "Tale as Old as Time" - the love story of Beauty and the Beast.
Beauty and the Beast is showing at Starlight thru July 19, 8pm nightly and 10am Matinee on Saturday. Tickets range from $15-143. Call 816.363.STAR for reservations.
Tips for Starlight Theatre:
- Keep Hydrated and cool: You may bring 1 sealed bottle of water per guest into the theater. Complimentary water stations are located at the North and East Guest Relations. Water misters are placed throughout the theater for guest convenience. And, Starlight has drinking fountains throughout the theater. You may also want to bring a small handheld fan to keep cool.
- Tips BEFORE the Show: I have my girls (even older girls) nap in the afternoon prior to a Starlight show and I clear our calendar the following morning allowing them to sleep as late as possible (and possibly nap again the next day). The show does start at bedtime. We also pack pajamas in our van to change in the car so sleepy kiddos can be carried directly into bed after.
- Booster seats: A limited supply of complimentary booster seats is available at the Ovation gift store. Please drop your booster seat off at any gate, Guest relations table or return it to the Ovation gift store after the show.
- Preshow Tours: Arrive early and get a free, behind-the-scenes look at Starlight and learn about Starlight’s rich history in Kansas City. Tours begin before each performance at three convenient times: 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Patrons interested in touring Starlight Theatre should report to the top of the theatre behind Terrace Section 1 to begin their facility tours.
- Interpreted Performances: The Sunday evening performance of each Starlight Broadway musical is interpreted for the deaf/hard-of-hearing. Two interpreters are positioned on the stage, house right. Patrons can view the interpreters from sections 4 and 6 of the Orchestra and Plaza sections. Deaf/hard-of-hearing patrons may purchase tickets by calling Kansas Relay at 800.766.3777 or Missouri Relay at 800.735.2966. Additionally, the Saturday evening performance of each Starlight Broadway musical is interpreted via audio description for the visually impaired. Special seating is not required to utilize this service. Simply visit our Ovation gift store and leave your ID in exchange for one of the listening devices. Return the device after the performance, and a member of our friendly Customer Service team will return your ID.
- Assisted listening devices: Assisted listening devices are available free of charge for every performance. Visit the Ovation gift store and leave your driver's license in exchange for one of the listening devices. Following the performance, please return the device to the store and pick up your ID.
- Courtesy shuttles: This summer six-passenger shuttles patrol the main parking areas, providing assistance for those who most need it.
- Wheelchair assistance: Patrons needing special assistance may be dropped off near any of the roadside gates. Gate 4 (NW corner, closest to Terrace 6), Gate 6 (NE corner, closest to Terrace 7) or Gate 7 (SE corner) are all designated drop-off points. Starlight is also pleased to provide wheelchair assistance from the drop-off point to a seat location prior to the show, and back to the drop-off point after the show. Just let the staff at the gate know that you’d like to take advantage of this service. Due to the limited number of staff trained to negotiate the tricky terrain with a wheelchair, you may have to wait just a few minutes until they are able to accommodate you. (Please be patient!)
- Preshow Dining: A delicious dinner buffet is offered before the show. Learn more about preshow dining.
