By AJ Jaffari
What happens when a tale as old as time returns with a little new magic up its sleeve? Disney’s Beauty and the Beast arrives at Broadway San Jose in a visually spectacular revival that honors much of what audiences have loved about this musical for decades while giving the production a refreshed identity. From Alan Menken’s instantly recognizable score to the larger-than-life production numbers and beloved characters, there’s a reason this story continues to enchant generation after generation.
And honestly, does anyone really need me to explain the plot of Beauty and the Beast at this point? What interests me more is how this revival takes something so familiar and still manages to create moments of surprise. With additional music beyond what fans of the animated film may know, changes from previous stage incarnations, and plenty of new theatrical magic, this version feels nostalgic without simply relying on nostalgia. There’s enough familiarity to welcome longtime fans back into the castle while still giving us something new to discover.
Having already seen this touring production earlier this year in San Francisco, I was curious how returning to it with some different faces would change my experience. And honestly? I enjoyed this cast even more.
There’s something incredibly comforting about Beauty and the Beast. I know this story, I know these characters, and I certainly know the music, yet the production still managed to find ways to impress me on a second viewing. It’s also one of those musicals I think can appeal to an incredibly broad audience. Even if musical theatre isn’t usually your thing, there’s enough comedy, spectacle, nostalgia, and pure Disney magic here to make the evening accessible. And if you grew up loving the animated film, there’s still plenty of that original magic waiting for you.
Kyra Belle Johnson continues to be an extraordinary Belle. She possesses everything the role needs: warmth, intelligence, a gorgeous voice, and a presence that makes Belle incredibly easy to root for. Having now seen her performance more than once, I was once again struck by just how naturally she inhabits the character. She never feels like she’s recreating an animated icon; her Belle feels entirely her own.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Devin Archer as the Beast at this performance, played by a different performer than the one I saw in San Francisco. This interpretation brought a fresh energy to the character and reminded me how much a different actor can reshape a role, even within the same production. The humor, vulnerability, and eventual tenderness of the Beast came through beautifully.
The enchanted inhabitants of the castle were another highlight. Danny Gardner as Lumière and Javier Ignacio as Cogsworth brought plenty of personality and impeccable comedic timing, providing some of the evening’s biggest laughs while maintaining the warmth that makes these characters so beloved.
At my performance, understudy Caleb McArthur stepped into the role of Gaston and delivered a terrific performance. Gaston requires an almost absurd level of confidence and bravado, and McArthur embraced it completely. He was charismatic, funny, and appropriately larger than life. I also want to recognize Jasmine Pearl Villaroel, who was on as Madame during the performance and did a fantastic job.
And once again, the ensemble deserves a massive round of applause. My feelings haven’t changed since seeing the tour earlier this year: this company is filled with tremendously talented dancers and singers. The large production numbers are where Beauty and the Beast truly explodes to life, and this ensemble executes them with remarkable precision and energy.
From a production standpoint, this tour remains fascinating to watch. There are special effects throughout the evening that I simply cannot figure out. Transformations happen before your eyes, objects seem to have lives of their own, and the production continually finds new ways to create theatrical magic in real time. Then again, this is Disney. If anyone can make the impossible appear completely effortless, it’s them.
Visually, the production is grand, colorful, and constantly evolving. There have been noticeable changes from the original Broadway staging and book, giving this revival its own identity rather than simply recreating what audiences may remember from decades past. Yet it never strays so far that the world becomes unfamiliar. Even if some aspects didn’t wow me, I still was entertained.
The spectacle is perhaps most effective because it supports rather than replaces the storytelling. Beneath all the effects, costumes, scenery, and theatrical wizardry remains the simple emotional core that has kept audiences returning to this story for generations.
Seeing Beauty and the Beast for a second time this year only reinforced why this particular Disney musical continues to endure. The songs are timeless, the story remains heartfelt, and this touring company brings an incredible amount of talent to every corner of the stage.
Whether you’re a devoted musical theatre fan, someone who grew up with the animated movie, or simply looking for a production capable of delivering a little theatrical magic, Broadway San Jose’s Beauty and the Beast has something to offer. It’s spectacular, joyful, beautifully performed, and absolutely worth being their guest.
Leave a Reply