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<\/a>We saw this giant billboard of the movie on Sunset Blvd. on the way to see it! Good omen. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one of the poster at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n
And now that I did just that the other night, I can declare that the only way to see the new mega-hit film, Beauty and the Beast<\/em>, is at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood! I mean it\u2014the only<\/em> way! Actually, it\u2019s the only place to see any<\/em>\u00a0Disney\u00a0films!<\/p>\n As Mr. X put it on the way home, (yes, this is so special that he actual went with me!,) \u201cWhat a complete<\/em> experience!\u201d He is correct\u2014it\u2019s not just seeing the movie there; there are so many fun activities around<\/em> the film.<\/p>\n And the sound system is the best ever! I don\u2019t think there\u2019s another one like it.<\/p>\n But I\u2019m getting ahead of myself.<\/p>\n When I was growing-up in New York, the<\/em> place to see movies was Radio City Music Hall. Not only did we see the flick on a giant screen, but there was also a live show beforehand. Going there was such a special thing to do. And that\u2019s sort-of what El Capitan is like. No, there are no Rockettes here, but there\u2019s something special every place you turn. I suggest getting there an hour before showtime to make sure to get it all in. You won\u2019t want to miss any of the fun.<\/p>\n So, now I have to go in order of what we did the other night, followed by the actual review of the movie itself, (which I actually almost forgot about in my excitement about the El Capitan extras! I\u2019m not kidding.)<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n After we parked across the street at the Hollywood and Highland mall, (the El Capitan validates for that place, which makes it so easy,) and picked-up our tickets at the box office, we went right next door to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain for their Sip & See special. We each had a cup of Twinings tea from their Beauty and the Beast<\/em> Collection. I don\u2019t think we drank it out of Chip, (since the cups weren\u2019t chipped,) but our Camomile, Honey & Vanilla teas were downright delish. (And, as I\u2019m sure many of you know by now, tea really is my area of expertise.) For this special, they serve the tea with a biscotti that\u2019s dipped in Ghirardelli chocolate. (Duh.)\u00a0 What a seriously delicious and relaxing way to start the evening! And the visuals in that place are gorgeous; everywhere you look, there\u2019s something colorful and fun to see.<\/p>\n Then we headed into the theatre, found our reserved seats, (which they all<\/em> are in there, ) set-down our rain gear, (yes\u2014of course we went on the only night it rained recently!,) and ventured out to the various exhibits on offer at the theatre.<\/p>\n Part of the display of the movie props and costumes. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n First up, we went to the lowest level to see the exclusive El Capitan exhibit of costumes, props, and set dressing used in the actual film. There was so much more than I expected! I couldn\u2019t imagine how some of them were incorporated into the movie, but when I saw some of them on the screen, I got excited like a little kid! I actually grabbed Mr. X\u2019s arm and squealed, \u201cWe just saw those!,\u201d which he noticed, too, of course. That whole display is really eye-opening. (And it\u2019s available for perusing post-screening, too, if you\u2019d rather take a look at it later.)<\/p>\n The bell jar and rose. (I know you’re disappointed–you were expecting to finally see a picture of Mr. X! Sorry.) Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Then we went back up to the main lobby to look around. I really loved seeing the beautiful Bell Jar which contained the pivotal rose from the film. Some of the guests were taking pictures in front of it, but we chose to do what most of the crowd was doing, especially couples\u2014have our photo taken in front of the \u201cRose Wall\u201d with the Beauty and the Beast<\/em> logo on it. And no need for selfies there\u2014a member of the staff stands right there to take your picture on your phone for you. How thoughtful of the El Capitan to go that extra mile!<\/p>\n We had the \u201cVIP Package,\u201d which includes a cute little tub of popcorn (which comes with a lid, so you can take any leftovers home easily, although it\u2019s soooo delicious that I doubt there will be any) and a beverage. I was thrilled to see that the drink choices are not just big jugs of soda, and they\u2019re not in those hard-to-handle waxy cups filled to the brim with ice. They are bottles of a variety of sodas, but also ones of juice, water, lemonade\u2014you name it. That was really refreshing\u2014in every sense of the word!<\/p>\n And here was a new experience for me\u2014we sat in the balcony! I really hadn\u2019t even realized that theatre had<\/em> one! And the sightlines are perfect! Whenever I see films in theatres with \u201cstadium seating,\u201d I always opt to sit high up because it really is better to see the movie from that vantage point. And, at the El Capitan, it\u2019s really perfect up there! (But I do have to warn you\u2014I was freezing a lot of the time, so make sure to dress in layers, in case it\u2019s the same temperature when you go there. I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s just the balcony temp, or the whole theatre, so just be prepared.)<\/p>\n Part of the photo display on the top level of El Capitan. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Even if you sit in the orchestra, you must<\/em> go to that upstairs lobby to see the fascinating pictorial history of the El Capitan! I would have loved to read every single caption, but I ran out of time. Please make sure not to miss it, like I<\/em> would have if Mr. X hadn\u2019t pointed it out to me, which I\u2019m grateful he did. [Note: For those of you who love to know things, but don\u2019t like to do the research yourselves, I included a brief history of the El Capitan, which someone just shared with me, at the end of this review.]<\/p>\n And this is nice\u2014both floors have a designated area of the lobby where you pick-up your VIP concessions. There\u2019s no waiting in a big line, and then having to explain the situation. It\u2019s clearly marked, you just show them your ticket, and it\u2019s an easy done deal. I love that!<\/p>\n The stunning curtain. Still pictures just don’t do it justice; you have to see it in person. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n But, the best part, for me, was when we finally sat down and saw the absolutely stunning Swarovski crystal curtain! OMG! I couldn\u2019t take my eyes off it just standing still, but when the lights dimmed and the immersive light and projection show featuring it began, I literally started crying. I think I sobbed through the whole thing; it\u2019s that<\/em> gorgeous.<\/p>\n Plus, the dazzling display is accompanied by a brand new Beauty and the Beast<\/em> overture which was recorded by a one hundred piece symphonic orchestra. You cannot imagine how magnificent it is with the El Capitan sound system. You have got to hear it for yourself.<\/p>\n Okay, the curtain is so gorgeous that I have to share TWO snaps of it! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n I was having such a great time that I just about forgot that we were there to see the movie!!! But, as you may have guessed, I loved Beauty and the Beast<\/em>! (Duh\u2014have you met<\/em> me?!) This is the live-action version of the Disney animated film from 1991. (How could it be that long ago?! Really!) I already loved the story and songs, (although I\u2019m not so sure about the few new tunes\u2014I\u2019m not great with change,) so what was not to love?<\/p>\n My one teensy tiny complaint is, since this film is \u201clive-action,\u201d I sort-of wish that all the characters at the castle, (Lumiere and company) were, too. It bothered me a bit that they\u2019re animated, even though they are based on the actors who are voicing the roles, (and whom we see for a few seconds at the end.)<\/p>\n All the actors are good, and, although none of the singing is spectacular, it\u2019s definitely good enough. And there are lots of clever lines and new bits. But the star is the production itself. What an undertaking! The entire film is gorgeous! It hurts my head to try to imagine getting something like this done. It\u2019s really mind-boggling. [Note: If you\u2019re a techie, you might be interested to know that the film at the El Capitan is projected in 2D Dolby VisionTM laser projection with Dolby Atmos\u00ae audio technology.]<\/p>\n And I could not believe the fuss people made about the LeFou character being gay now! That\u2019s revealed for one tiny second at the end! Are people insane?! They have no problem with a human<\/em> falling in love with a beast<\/em>, or anything else about this fairy tale, but one moment of two men arm-in-arm, and they can’t handle it. I continue to be amazed by life.<\/p>\n And, as attractive as Dan Stevens (who plays the Beast) is when he becomes human, I hate to say that he was sexier as the Beast! I have a feeling I\u2019m not alone in that assessment.<\/p>\n Luke Evans as Gaston. Am I right or am I right???<\/p><\/div>\n But how hot is Luke Evans, who plays Gaston? I\u2019m afraid that had I been Belle, I may not have been able to resist that handsome face. And he can sing! So, Luke was the revelation of the film for me.<\/p>\n But, I loved it all<\/em>! And here\u2019s fair warning\u2014you probably won\u2019t be able to stop singing the songs for days after you see it. Or, in my<\/em> case, I\u2019m sure it will be weeks. Maybe even months! Poor Mr. X.<\/p>\n So, my advice is: go see Beauty and the Beast<\/em>, but, if you\u2019re in SoCal, only at the El Capitan! And check-out their website first, for special promotions and days (such as Tiny Tot Tuesdays, where they don\u2019t shut the lights all the way, and they lower the sound. Great idea.)<\/p>\n Okay, as promised above, here\u2019s the info I received about the El Capitan, and it\u2019s worth the read:<\/p>\n \u201cDeclared a Historic Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles and restored to showcase its original lavish architecture, The El Capitan Theatre has been since 1991 an exclusive first run theatre, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, for The Walt Disney Studios. The theatre also hosts live stage shows, world premieres, special events, and screenings of classic Disney films.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the 1920s, real estate developer Charles Toberman and Sid Grauman built the Egyptian, Chinese and El Capitan theatres.\u00a0 Los Angeles based Stiles O. Clements designed the elaborate cast-concrete Spanish Colonial style exterior; San Francisco architect G. Albert Lansburgh, known for his design of over 50 West Coast theatres and luxury cinema houses, designed the lavish East Indian inspired interior.\u00a0 Originally a legitimate theatre (over 120 plays and musicals were staged), it was converted for film for the world premiere of Orson Welles\u2019 \u201cCitizen Kane.\u201d\u00a0 The theatre then was renovated, reopening in March 1942 as the Hollywood Paramount, a streamlined “art moderne” first run movie house.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 1989, the Walt Disney Company joined forces with Pacific Theatres and launched a two-year, museum quality restoration of The El Capitan Theatre, led by renowned theatre designer Joseph J. Musil. Musil with the supervision of the National Park Service’s Department of the Interior, and guidance from conservator Martin Weil and architect Ed Fields, achieved the goal recreating the original 1926 look and feel — including original design elements such as the ornate plasterwork found hidden behind walls and the opera boxes in the main auditorium.\u201d<\/p>\n Beauty and the Beast<\/em> running through April 30, 2017<\/strong> BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AT EL CAPITAN Not only was I so looking forward to seeing the new live-action film of Beauty and the Beast, (also known as the story of Mr. X and me, but I won\u2019t tell you which of us is which,) but even more than the movie itself, I couldn\u2019t wait<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>
\n The El Capitan Theatre 6838 Hollywood Boulevard\u00a01-800-DISNEY6<\/strong>
\n www.elcapitantheatre.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"