A record 69 students performed in ANC’s spring musical, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
This romantic and popular fairy tale tells the story of Belle, a young woman living in a provincial town, and the Beauty and The Beast Cast, who is actually a young prince under the spell of a magician. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will return to his normal self. But time is running out, and if the Beast doesn’t learn his lesson soon, he and his family will be lost forever.
New student Meg M will play the role of Belle and her senior Daniel R. As a beast. His senior Leo-Paul W will play the antagonist Gaston, while Hayden H will play his sidekick LeFou. The characters in Castle are Madison Z. (Mrs. Potts), James G. (Lumiere), Tegan D. (Cogsworth), Nicole M. (Babette), Isabelle K. (Madame de la Grand Bouche), Sophia I. (Chip). Junior Beckett S. plays Belle’s father Maurice, and senior Levon A. plays the evil Monsieur d’Arc. Seniors Hope O. and Aurel O. return to this production as dance captains.
An additional 56 students will be incorporated into the ensemble as citizens or castle residents. You can see the full beauty and the beast cast list here.
| CAST | Type | BELLE | GASTON | HUMAN AGAIN | BE OUR GUEST | MOB SONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belle | Meg | Belle | Gaston | Mrs. Potts | *Belle | Gaston |
| Dance Captain | Aurelle | Gaston | Lefou | Lumiere | Mrs. Potts | Lefou |
| Dance Captain | Hope | Lefou | Silly Girls | Cogsworth | Lumiere | D’Arque |
| Aristocratic Lady | Carling | Silly Girls | Dance Captains | Madame | Cogsworth | Silly Girls |
| Fish Man | Chris | Dance Captains | Ainsley | Babette | Madame | Dance Captains |
| Egg Man | Levon | Ainsley | Alana | Chip | Babette | Ainsley |
| Sausage Curl Girl | Maggie | Annia | Bella | Dance Captains | Chip | Annia |
| Baker | Rafe | Bella | Carling | Alana | Dance Captains | Bella |
| CAST | Type | BELLE | GASTON | HUMAN AGAIN | BE OUR GUEST | BE OUR GUEST | MOB SONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lady with Cane | Lisa | Caeden | Chris | Analiese | Alana | Karl | Caeden |
| Lady with Baby | Diedre | Carling | Cooper | Blake | Analiese | Kat | Carling |
| Candle Man | Karl | Chris | Diedre | Brian | Anya | Lainey | Chris |
| Hat Seller | Ian | Cici | Erika | Dylan | Blake | Levon | Cici |
| Milk Maid | Aurelle | Cooper | Evan | Erika | Brian | Leam | Cooper |
| Shepherd Boy | Leopold | Diedre | Felix | Ethan | Diedre | Lucas | Diedre |
| Bookseller | Ainsley | Evan | Heather | Felix | Dylan | Maya | Evan |
| Silly Girl #1 | Hanna | Ian | Ian | Heather | Erika | Paige | Ian |
| Silly Girl #2 | Paige | Jacob | Jacob | Janina | Ethan | Rachael | Jacob |
| Silly Girl #3 | Anya | Jason | Jason | Jennica | Felix | Sean | Jason |
| Silly Girl #4 | Jocelyn | John | John | Julien | Hanna | Sofia | John |
| Gaston | Leo-Paul | Karl | Karl | Kat | Heather | Tara | Karl |
| Lefou | Hayden | Katherine | Katherine | Lainey | Janina | Tegan | Katherine |
| Maurice | Becket | Kiana | Leopold | Leam | Jennica | Trajan | Kiana |
| Monsieur D’Arque | Levon | Leah | Levon | Lucas | Jocelyn | Xavier | Leah |
| Cogsworth | Teagan | Leopold | Lisa | Maya | Julien | Leopold | |
| Lumiere | James | Levon | Maggie | Rachael | *Belle does not sing | Lisa | |
| Babette | Nicole | Lisa | Max | Sean | Maggie | ||
| Mrs. Potts | Madison | Maggie | Navon | Sofia | Max | ||
| Chip | Sophia | Max | Sean | Tara | Navon | ||
| Madame De La Grande Bouche | Isabelle | Navon | Tara | Tegan | Rafe | ||
| Beast | Daniel | Rafe | Tegan | Trajan | Sabrina | ||
| Crony 1 | Cooper | Sabrina | Wyatt | Xavier | Wyatt | ||
| Crony 2 | Felix | Wyatt | |||||
| Mother | Navon | ||||||
| Prince | Ethan |
spot in the pit orchestra under the direction of Donna Bostock has been released. She is seeking experience with the following instruments: keyboard/synthesizer, flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe/English horn, trumpet, percussion including drums, xylophone, bells, timpani, and other small instruments, violin, cello, and bass. . There is an option to integrate additional equipment if you are interested. If you would like more information, please contact your student.
Tickets for “Beauty and the Beast” will go on sale March 1st, and people are invited to advertise and post personal messages for the program. Don’t miss out on this “story from a long time ago.”
beauty and the beast cast list;
Beauty and the Beast Cast: An In-Depth Look
“Beauty and the Beast” is a beloved tale that has captivated audiences for centuries. The story, originally penned by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and later adapted by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, has seen numerous adaptations across various media. However, one of the most celebrated versions is Disney’s animated film released in 1991, followed by the live-action adaptation in 2017. This article delves into the cast of both versions, exploring their backgrounds, performances, and contributions to the enduring legacy of “Beauty and the Beast.”
Animated Film (1991) Cast
Belle: Paige O’Hara
Background and Career
Paige O’Hara, a Broadway actress, lent her voice to the character of Belle. Known for her roles in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and “Show Boat,” O’Hara brought a sense of depth and intelligence to Belle that resonated with audiences.
Performance and Impact
O’Hara’s performance as Belle was praised for its warmth and strength, helping to establish Belle as one of Disney’s most beloved princesses. Her vocal performance in songs like “Belle” and “Something There” became iconic.
Beast: Robby Benson
Background and Career
Robby Benson, an actor known for his roles in “Ice Castles” and “Ode to Billy Joe,” provided the voice for the Beast. His ability to convey the Beast’s internal struggle and eventual transformation was a critical element of the film’s success.
Performance and Impact
Benson’s portrayal of the Beast’s emotional journey from a fearsome creature to a loving prince added a layer of complexity to the character, earning him critical acclaim.
Gaston: Richard White
Background and Career
Richard White, a seasoned stage actor, voiced the vain and arrogant Gaston. His Broadway credits include “Jekyll & Hyde” and “The Most Happy Fella.”
Performance and Impact
White’s performance as Gaston captured the character’s brash confidence and villainy, making him a memorable antagonist.
Lumière: Jerry Orbach
Background and Career
Jerry Orbach, known for his role as Lennie Briscoe on “Law & Order,” brought the charming candelabra Lumière to life. Orbach’s extensive Broadway experience, including roles in “Chicago” and “42nd Street,” made him a perfect fit for the role.
Performance and Impact
Orbach’s Lumière was both humorous and endearing, and his rendition of “Be Our Guest” became one of the film’s highlights.
Cogsworth: David Ogden Stiers
Background and Career
David Ogden Stiers, an actor known for his roles in “MAS*H” and various Disney films, voiced the meticulous clock Cogsworth. His distinguished career in television and film added gravitas to the character.
Performance and Impact
Stiers’ portrayal of Cogsworth provided a perfect foil to Lumière’s flamboyance, adding to the film’s comedic and dramatic balance.
Mrs. Potts: Angela Lansbury
Background and Career
Angela Lansbury, a legendary actress with a career spanning film, television, and theater, voiced Mrs. Potts. Known for her roles in “Murder, She Wrote” and “The Manchurian Candidate,” Lansbury brought warmth and wisdom to the character.
Performance and Impact
Lansbury’s performance of “Beauty and the Beast” remains one of the most iconic moments in Disney’s history, cementing her place in the hearts of audiences.
Chip: Bradley Pierce
Background and Career
Bradley Pierce, a young actor at the time, voiced the adorable teacup Chip. Pierce also appeared in films like “Jumanji” and “The Borrowers.”
Performance and Impact
Pierce’s portrayal of Chip added a sense of innocence and wonder to the film, endearing him to audiences of all ages.
Live-Action Film (2017) Cast
Belle: Emma Watson
Background and Career
Emma Watson, famed for her role as Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” series, took on the role of Belle. Her background as an advocate for women’s rights and education mirrored Belle’s character traits of intelligence and independence.
Performance and Impact
Watson’s portrayal of Belle was noted for its modern take on the character, emphasizing Belle’s agency and courage. Her vocal performances in songs like “Belle (Reprise)” and “How Does a Moment Last Forever” were well-received.
Beast: Dan Stevens
Background and Career
Dan Stevens, known for his role as Matthew Crawley in “Downton Abbey,” played the Beast. His experience in both television and theater, including roles in “Legion” and “The Heiress,” prepared him for the physically and emotionally demanding role.
Performance and Impact
Stevens’ performance captured beauty and the beast cast internal conflict and growth, aided by impressive CGI and motion capture technology. His rendition of “Evermore” became a standout moment in the film.
Gaston: Luke Evans
Background and Career
Luke Evans, with roles in “The Hobbit” trilogy and “Dracula Untold,” portrayed Gaston. His background in musical theater, including performances in “Rent” and “Miss Saigon,” made him a natural choice for the character.
Performance and Impact
Evans’ Gaston was both charismatic and menacing, perfectly embodying the character’s larger-than-life persona. His performance of “Gaston” was a highlight of the film.
LeFou: Josh Gad
Background and Career
Josh Gad, known for his role as Olaf in “Frozen” and for his Broadway work in “The Book of Mormon,” played Gaston’s loyal sidekick, LeFou.
Performance and Impact
Gad’s comedic timing and charm brought a new dimension to LeFou, making him more sympathetic and complex. His performance added humor and depth to the film.
Lumière: Ewan McGregor
Background and Career
Ewan McGregor, an actor known for his roles in “Moulin Rouge!” and “Trainspotting,” voiced Lumière. His experience in both film and musical theater made him an excellent choice for the charismatic candelabra.
Performance and Impact
McGregor’s performance of “Be Our Guest” was energetic and vibrant, capturing the spirit of the character and the magic of the film.
Cogsworth: Ian McKellen
Background and Career
Sir Ian McKellen, a distinguished actor known for his roles in “The Lord of the Rings” and “X-Men” franchises, voiced Cogsworth.
Performance and Impact
McKellen’s portrayal of Cogsworth was both authoritative and humorous, adding a touch of gravitas to the role. His performance complemented McGregor’s Lumière perfectly.
Mrs. Potts: Emma Thompson
Background and Career
Emma Thompson, an Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in “Sense and Sensibility” and “Saving Mr. Banks,” voiced Mrs. Potts.
Performance and Impact
Thompson’s rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” paid homage to Angela Lansbury’s original performance while bringing her unique warmth and elegance to the role.
Chip: Nathan Mack
Background and Career
Nathan Mack, a young actor at the time, voiced Chip. His fresh talent brought a sense of authenticity and innocence to the character.
Performance and Impact
Mack’s portrayal of Chip added to the heartwarming and family-friendly nature of the film, endearing him to audiences.
Supporting Cast and Characters
Maurice: Kevin Kline (2017)
Kevin Kline, an Academy Award-winning actor, played Belle’s father, Maurice, in the live-action adaptation. His performance added depth to Maurice, portraying him as a loving and inventive father.
Wardrobe: Audra McDonald (2017)
Audra McDonald, a Tony Award-winning actress, voiced Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe. Her background in musical theater added a grand and operatic quality to the character.
Plumette: Gugu Mbatha-Raw (2017)
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, known for her roles in “Belle” and “Beyond the Lights,” voiced Plumette, the feather duster. Her performance added a touch of romance and elegance to the character.
Monsieur D’Arque: Stanley Tucci (2017)
Stanley Tucci, a versatile actor known for his roles in “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Hunger Games,” played Cadenza, a new character added to the live-action film. Tucci’s performance added humor and musical flair to the story.
Conclusion
The cast of “Beauty and the Beast” across its various adaptations has played a crucial role in bringing this timeless tale to life. From the iconic voices of the animated classic to the star-studded live-action film, each actor has contributed uniquely to the story’s enduring appeal. The performances have not only entertained but also resonated with audiences, ensuring that “Beauty and the Beast” remains a cherished part of popular culture.