Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice
Book by Linda Woolverton
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Directed by Arlene Schoenherr – armarschoen@yahoo.com
Produced by Jon Lechner
Audition Dates: Saturday, January 21, 2017 10:00-11:00 Children, ages 8-12, dance experience (gymnastics a bonus)
12:00-4:00 (registration by 2:00) acting, singing, dancing (bring character and tap shoes)
Sunday, January 22, 2017 6:00-7:00 New auditioners (no children)
7:00-9:00 Call backs
Show Dates: May 7, 11-14, 18-20, 2017
Auditions will take place at Grosse Pointe Theatre’s Rehearsal Studio:
315 Fisher Rd. Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
313-881-4004 www.gpt.org
ABOUT THE PLAY A wandering enchantress transforms a cruel and vain prince into a hideous Beast, leaving him only one way to reverse the curse … to fall in love and earn love in return. Belle, a beautiful booklover, encounters the Beast when she arrives at his castle to plead for her father’s freedom, ultimately trading her own for his. As tension over her imprisonment escalates, spurred by Gaston, the selfish lover who seeks Belle’s hand in marriage, the relationship between Belle and the Beast grows, leading to an emotional and transformative ending. CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
BELLE – Belle is the original fairy tale heroine….kind, gentle and beautiful…but with an important 21st century twist. She is a strong, intelligent, spirited and independent young woman. She is the moral conscience of the story, elevated by her thoughts and deeds. Strong singer. Portrays innocence with her singing and speaking voice. Audition song: Belle (9-34), Home (37-85)
THE BEAST – The Beast’s tortured soul is evident. He is paying the ultimate price for a moment of mean-spiritedness and wishes he could rectify his mistake. There is anger and menace in the Beast’s appearance and behavior, but increasingly we see his soft and endearing side as he interacts with Belle. Strong singer. Strong speaking voice. Strong stage presence. Audition song: If I Can’t Love Her (1-47)
GASTON – Although he is physically handsome, Gaston is shallow, completely self-centered, not very bright and he thrives on attention. Strong singer. Moves well. Audition song: Me (23-53)
LEFOU – Le Fou is Gaston’s dim-witted sidekick who suffers repeated humiliation in his efforts to please Gaston. Strong character acting. Comfortable with physical comedy. Audition song: Gaston (46-107)
MAURICE – A bit scatter-brained, but kindly, gentle, enthusiastic and inventive, Maurice becomes single-minded and determined when Belle faces danger. Audition song: No Matter What (4-12,28-43)
LUMIERE – Light-hearted, suave, romantic, smooth-talking and charming, Lumiere has been transformed into a candelabrum. French accent. Strong character acting. Moves well. Audition song: Be Our Guest (12-43), Human Again (20-52)
COGSWORTH – Cogsworth is a stuffy English man who has been transformed into a tightly-wound mantle clock. English accent. Strong character acting. Audition song: Human Again (116-182)
MRS. POTTS – Mrs. Potts is a warm-hearted, maternal, enchanted teapot. British accent. Audition song: Beauty and the Beast (5-30), Human Again (55-61)
BABETTE – Babette is a saucy, enchanted feather-duster. French accent. Moves well. Audition song: Human Again (54-61, 150-182)
MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE – Madame is a former opera diva turned into an enchanted wardrobe. Audition song: Human Again (66-85, 150-182)
CHIP – Chip is an inquisitive little teacup, the son of Mrs. Potts. Audition song: Human Again (44-52, 150-182)
MONSIEUR D’ARQUE – D’Arque is the creepy, scheming proprietor of the local insane asylum. Doubles as a townsperson. Audition song: Maison des Lunes (73-87, 129-144)
THREE SILLY GIRLS – The silly girls are pretty young maids who swoon over Gaston. Double as enchanted objects. Featured dancers. Audition song: Be Our Guest (64-82)
ENSEMBLE (TOWNSPEOPLE/ENCHANTED OBJECTS/WOLVES) The ensemble is very busy….solo singing parts in Belle and The Mob Song, many great dance numbers and some smaller speaking parts. Acrobatic skills are welcomed. Must sing and dance. Audition song: Be Our Guest (64-82)
For more information, visit www.gpt.org
If you are going to Audition for this please send Ms. Kim your headshot and resume for submission ASAP @ KimSimpson@YEAgency.com