‘Beauty’ of Easy Street is big fun, low prices

Bringing the show to the area is important to the co-founders.

TRACEY D’ASTOLFO

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — “Big Apple entertainment without the Big Apple price” is Easy Street Productions’ motto, and the musical theater company is about to demonstrate why.

Easy Street and the Youngstown Symphony Society will present Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” this weekend at the DeYor Performing Arts Center.

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the Tony Award-winning musical will come to life on the Powers Auditorium stage with a spectacular set, lavish costumes and dazzling special effects.

The musical, which features popular songs such as “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston” and “Beauty and the Beast,” is the classic tale of an angry beast who lives in an enchanted palace. With the help of Belle, the young woman he holds captive, the Beast gradually learns to love.

This season is Easy Street’s 20th, and it also marks its first collaboration with the Youngstown Symphony Society. “Beauty and the Beast” will open the performing arts series at DeYor. It will be followed by the ’50s musical “Forever Plaid” in February and Disney’s “High School Musical” in May.

The series is replacing the Symphony Society’s Broadway series.

Co-founder’s comments

“We wanted to start big, make it as good as possible and still keep prices low,” said Todd Hancock, co-founder of Easy Street Productions. “We want to prove to the Valley that a big-budget musical can be locally produced and be just as entertaining as any touring company’s, but for less than half the ticket price. Keeping our low ticket prices was important to us. We made that decision for all the families that have supported us through the years. We are still in business because the average family can afford to see our shows.”

One of the largest and most expensive productions Easy Street has staged to date, “Beauty and the Beast” has a cast of more than 50 singers, dancers and musicians, said Hancock.

“It was important for us to give the people in this area a chance to do this show,” said Maureen Collins, Easy Street co-founder. “This is great training for the kids in the area, an experience very few people get.”

Many Easy Street regulars will star in the production, including Elysia Shutrump as Belle, James McClellan as the Beast, Maureen Collins as Mrs. Potts, Todd Hancock as Lumiere, David Jendre as Cogsworth, Kyle Snyder as Gaston, Eric McClellan as Maurice, Colleen Crish as Wardrobe and Jarrett Kerpsack as Chip. Rounding out the cast and making her Easy Street debut is former Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle in the role of Babette.

Collins said Easy Street is the first troupe in the area to attempt to do the show at full scale with authentic sets and costumes. It rented a set that was used in a New York production of the musical. Elaborate costumes were also rented, some laden with ruffles and satin, and others looking more like props, such as oversized wardrobes, cups and teapots.

‘Born to be Belle’

“We have an all-star Easy Street cast including Canfield's own Elysia Shutrump, who is flying in from college in New York to perform as Belle,” said Hancock.

Collins said Shutrump was so excited about the chance to play Belle that she had all her lines memorized at the first practice and completed her blocking in five days.

“Elysia was one of our original [Easy Street Little] Rascals,” said Collins. “She started with us at 6 years old. She was born to be Belle.”

Musical director Jeff Sanders is also returning to the area to participate in the show. He lives in Chicago and has been traveling to Youngstown for rehearsals and preparation.

“That’s the exciting part,” said Hancock. “Our lead and our musical director are returning to the area to be part of this show, because it is such a great show to be part of.”

Hancock is directing the production and Renee Rogers is choreographer.

The collaboration with the Youngstown Symphony Society is a great opportunity to local actors, singers, dancers, musicians and technicians, according to Hancock. “If this collaboration continues, for years to come shows such as this could be the first big break many will receive before starting professional careers of their own,” he said.