The Plaza Theatre Company occupies what would politely be described as a “cozy” space just south of downtown Cleburne. “Cozy” being reviewer code for pretty darn small. It’s not exactly the room one would expect to witness a cast of thousands in a type of theatrical spectacle. It just wouldn’t seem possible to produce a grand, densely populated, Broadway-style production such as “Beauty and the Beast” in such a “cozy” atmosphere.
Well, don’t tell that to directors’ JaceSon and Tina Barrus and choreographer Michael Sylvester. Their staging of “Beauty and the Beast” is breathtaking and a wonder. A little more than 40 actors are credited in the program, and many wear costumes almost as large as a Mini Cooper. Those of you familiar with the Disney animated feature on which the play is based are aware the cast of characters includes many people slowly turning into household items such as a clock, candlestick, wardrobe, carpet and tea pot in addition to the better part of the population of a small village. Because this is a musical, all of them spend most of their time on stage singing and dancing about.
Sylvester also performs as a villager and as the carpet. When he’s on stage the young man is a whirling dervish. It is a wonder to behold Sylvester twirling, bounding and doing cartwheels while all about him other cast members bob and weave. During the more populated numbers, such as “Gaston,” watching all the cast members twirl and sing is like watching the University of Texas marching band performing on a ping pong table.
The beauty in this production is Christine Atwell in the role of Belle. If you have children at home and have heard the DVD repeatedly being played from the TV room, Atwell will give you a feeling of deja vu. Her voice is pitch perfect, and she has a girl-next-door beauty that is ideal for the part. Jonathan Kennedy as the Beast is mesmerizing. His slow transformation throughout the play from menacing brute to kindhearted prince is utterly believable and touching. His voice is commanding whether it’s a bellow or a whisper. Curt Mega plays the pompous and true villain Gaston full tilt. He may be overmatched in the vocal department compared with Atwell and Kennedy, but that really says more about the latter pair’s outstanding voices than a lack on Mega’s part. Mega has a commanding personality that suits the scenery-chewing part of Gaston, and he wrings every last comic ounce from it.
While the three leads carry this production, the real stars may be the costumes. It must have taken a small army to build and sew these elaborate creations. G. Aaron Siler as Cogsworth, and Gregory Burton as Lumiere march and prance about as if they were hermit crabs, perfectly at home in their bulky shells.
It is in fact a credit to the skill level of all the actors who portray the enchanted servants of the prince that they all seem perfectly at home in their trappings, as if the costumes actually were natural extensions of their bodies.
The show bursts to life from the opening number as Belle walks through the village and everyone parades about her. Judy Keller as Mrs. Potts nails “Beauty and the Beast,” the signature song from the show. Special kudos must go out to young Sebastian Merrifield, who plays Chip. His vocal tone and inflections are perfect, and his facial expressions are priceless. This is a good thing as his face is the only body part visible in the costume. The absolute show stopper is Lumiere and the other Enchanteds’ rendition of “Be Our Guest.” The energy will knock you to the back of your seat.
Plaza’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” is a sensory delight. It’s visually breathtaking, the music is spectacular, and it will tax you physically because it is so dazzling and spread out your head will feel like it is swiveling on a stick trying to take everything in at once.
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Jonathan Kennedy, left, and Christine Atwell bring form and soul to “Beauty and the Beast.” Courtesy photo
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REVIEW: Be our guest at this ‘Beauty’
- Cleburne
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
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Indians on top of selections
- Godley
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
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Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
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Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
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Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
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Never forgotten
