[Coloratura]

I was cast as Belle last year for a nearby college production of BATB. It went well, I was hardly nervous, and it was a lot of fun. Then in March, (I must have been wearing the right shoes or something!) I was fortunate enough to be cast as Belle once again for this summer, starting June 26th. This group is well known and has a reputation for putting on great shows, which means many, many people will come to see! (They are also affiliated with the college I plan to attend next year!)

However, I must confess that I'm extremely nervous! Not only will there be more people to see the show than last time, but the person playing the Beast is extremely skinny. I'm not a big girl by any means, but I'm curvy and certainly no toothpick. I'm 5'4'' and 135 lbs with an athletic build. He's about 6'1'' and (from the way he looks) 115. His voice is perfect for the role and I'm very happy to be in a production with him, but my fear is that his weight will make me look larger when we're onstage together.

I hope I don't sound superficial, but it's all I can think about lately! What makes it worse is that I've read that Belle on Broadway need to weigh less than 115 lbs! Is this true? Should I lose some pounds to match his weight? Or, will the costume people somehow bulk him up? If I am to lose, I have app. a month and a half before the beginning of rehearsals. Again, I apologize if this is a lame post, but I just don't want to be the Belle that's bigger than her Beast! Heh.. well, if you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to post. Thanks!!

[LisaKitty]

The director cast the two of you knowing what your respective sizes are. Unless he/she specifically asked you to lose some weight after casting you, I wouldn't worry about it. You say this company puts on really good productions, so I'm sure they have hired a costumer that will show the you both off to your best advantage.

So relax, and enjoy it!

[dearly_beloveds_not_liste]

<What was mentioned above:> That's true. As for your comments, this is definitely not a lame post (and I know lame threads--I post 'em all the time) BUT anyway. Don't worry about it. Unless you feel unhealthy or fat, there's no reason for anybody to lose weight. Well, that is, unless you're auditioning for Tom Hanks's role in Castaway. The costumes WILL bulk him. up, you say he's pretty tall (around 6 ft?) and remember its a lot harder to make someone look taller than wider. They'll throw a bulky cloak on him, some faux fur, and call it a day. Anyway, Congratulations! and Break a Leg!

[le_moofin]

115 lbs for Belle? That's not quite fair... I mean, I'm not 115 lbs, but I'm also not fat or anything. I'm about the same weight as you, Coloratura, and about 5 inches taller.

[DaddyDiesel]

well to be honest it really doesnt matter in this situation. your beast maybe really skinny but he is 6' 1". Our beast is about 6'3 180 and Im playing gaston im about 6' 5" 240. But with all of the make up and padding for the hunch on his back He actually appears larger than me on stage. We have a more drastic differance than what your going for and it still works. Once he gets his make up on and starts doing characterization I do not think you need to worry at all. Plus there is no need to be nervous if you have played Belle before your a full step ahead of the game.

[brooketansley]

Oh, your breaking my heart!

I played Belle on Broadway and I can assure you that there is absolutely no weight requirement for Belle. You are beautiful just how you are and I don't want you to spend even another second worrying about it! When I was cast, I looked nothing like Belle. I had short blonde hair, and when I told friends that I was auditioning for Beauty & the Beast the response was, "Oh, you'd make the cutest Silly Girl!" No one thought that I could look like Belle. But the director didn't think that way (there are, after all, wigs) and cast me. He said that he could see that I have a big heart. THAT'S WHAT MATTERS. That's the #1 thing they look for in the B'way company. You don't need to be a stick. You don't even have to exhibit exceptional vocal pyrotechnics. You don't have to be a great dancer. You just have to have a big heart and sincerely tell that beautiful story.

So have a wonderful time (for the second time!) and know that you needn't worry at all!

And post pictures! The reason that I look on this board is because I love to see how B&theB has been done in so many creative ways all over the world. I had the time of my life during my year as Belle and it gives me warm-fuzzies to see everyone getting to share in the love that is B&theB.
I don't think there was a single performance when I didn't meet someone at the stage door that was going off to do their own production of B&theB!

Love,

Brooke Tansley

[DaddyDiesel]

cool

[Coloratura]

Wow, I really can't thank you guys enough! This might sound a little silly, but this has really taken a huge load off of me and now I don't think I'll be nearly as nervous once rehearsals begin. Thank you!!

P.S. Thank you, Brooke! I'm glad the weight limit thing is just a rumor. I'll definitely post some pics! Thanks again, guys! <3

[Sammy_beck]

Hey I understand what you are going through. I wouldn't worry about it. The beast is supposed to be a bulky character so the costumers will most likely bulk him up. I'm doing Beauty and the Beast now, and our Beast sounds a lot like your Beast, and we bulked him up. And it looks fine. Unless the director asks you to use weight I wouldn't worry about it.