Dream Cast: Beauty and The Beast

We all know I've lived and breathed musical theater since I was a child. It all started with a little show called Beauty and The Beast. I saw the movie about 100 times, and my Grammy took me to see it in Toronto. It's been my go to sick movie, my happy film, and in my top favourite musicals I've ever seen. And when something is your favourite you obviously want to insert yourself into it, right? So for this new series I've decided to take some of my favourite shows and create my ultimate dream cast, including yours truly of course. I'll talk a little bit about why I've chosen the actors I have, and why this show is important to me, if I've seen it and even if I've already been in it. So here it goes.

First off I'll start with The Beast. For this wonderful role I've picked the brilliant Michael Arden. Some of you may know him from Bare: A Pop Opera, a teen cult classic rock opera that tells the story of the struggles of growing up at a Catholic boarding school. Or you may know him from The Hunchback of Notre Dame where he played Quasimodo, and gave one of the most beautiful vocal performances I've ever heard. His Out There and Heaven's Light are some of the best pieces I've ever listened to. Which makes him the perfect candidate to sing the beautifully haunting If I Can't Love Her, the Beast's want song, and Act I closing number. His strong, warm, booming voice will be the perfect vessel for this brilliant Alan Menken and Tim Rice piece.

Next we have Gaston. Now for this role I've chosen Okieriete Onaodowan or more commonly known as Oak. You'll probably know Oak from a show called Hamilton. It wasn't that big so I wouldn't blame you if you didn't know it. But in Hamilton he was a huge presence on stage. He had confidence like no other, with a charming, winning smile that is sure to make the audience swoon. He has a smooth, soothing voice and matched with his confidence on stage will make for a perfect villain in Gaston.

Probably my most favourite of my dream cast comes in Lumiere. For this particular role I've picked none other than Christian Borle. For those of you familiar with my blog, and me in general, I am a huge Christian fan and I believe he can do no wrong. But matched with the comedy, flare and charm needed for Lumiere I don't think there's been anyone better since Gary Beach himself. Think of a mixture of William Shakespeare in Something Rotten and Willy Wonka in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. He knows exactly how to play with his audience and bring them into his performance. Can't you just imagine him in Be Our Guest. prancing around the stage with childlike wonder, and that kick line at the end!? I'm already in my seat giving a standing ovation just thinking about it.

Mrs. Potts is probably one of the hardest roles to cast. Once you've had Angela Lansbury where else is there to go. But I think the one and only Imelda Staunton would provide the perfect Tale As Old As Time. She's proven time and time again how versatile and spectacular she is, on stage and on screen. Follies, Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, Harry Potter with a resume like that you can't go wrong. In her version of Rose's Turn there are a few sweet moments; which we can't say is a Rose quality, where you can just hear the Mrs. Potts come out in her.

Next we have everyone's favourite talking clock, Cogsworth. I hemmed and hawed over this casting. First of all you need someone with fantastic acting chops, a great sense of comedic timing, and a strong presence to be able to balance and compete with Lumiere. So I thought out of every actor I could think of and came up with Josh Lamon. You've most definitely seen Josh in something. Wicked, Hair, Groundhog Day, The Prom, Finding Neverland, Little Miss Sunshine, do I need to keep going. He's been a staple in so many productions. A shining ray of light in everything he does. And one of the most positive people around. I think the juxtaposition of his personality with Cogsworth's would be not only a great performance but an amazing acting challenge. He's always a stand out, if you don't believe me just listen to Stuck from Groundhog Day.

And now the last role of my dream cast and that's Belle. And you guessed it ladies and gents I will gladly take on that role. It has obviously been on my bucket list since I was a child. The character helped shape who I am today and I cannot tell you the amount of hours I have sat in my room trying to perfect my perfect Belle voice. Of course this is just a dream casting. Just hopes and wonders. But it brings me joy and hopefully Bernie Telsey or Scott Rudin or Tara Rubin will get some inspiration and cast this Canadian already, would ya!?