[Rosemary]

iv just been cast as mrs potts in a version of B& the B. Im only 17 so am wondering if annyone can help me add a more contemporary feel due to the fact that she is chip's mother, not his grandmother!
Any tips on how to play the part?

[JeanJacobson]

Congrats. I just finished my run. I had such a blast.

My directors didn't give me too much to work with, other than the fact that she's the 'mother figure'. (there were enough dufus-y little middle schoolers that needed hand-holding)

I did notice that she is the most hopeful of all the characters. She's very positive too.

I found that bonding with the 'household' actors helped alot. Lumiere and Cogsworth and the scenes with Mrs Potts have a lot of lines that can be great when timing is on.

Hope that might help a little.

[choochoo]

I too am a very young Mrs. Potts. Since I do not by any means look old at all zero...I decided to play my mrs. potts as a younger mother (30's/40's) If you are in the same situation as I (meaning that there is no possible way that you could look/act believably as an old woman...this is a great way out if you can play up her nurturing sweet very warm side. She is a caretaker- nowhere in the show does it say that she is OLD.

If you are going to play it younger make sure that your director is not going to make you put wrinkles and a grey wig on your head though...if he wants you to be old then I suppose that you just need to look at kind old ladies and the disney movie and just try to pick up as much as you can. But if you are playing it younger and have any questions about specific parts of the show I'd be happy to help ya...we open this weekend wish me luck it has certainly been an adventure in a new role.

Best of luck to you,
choochoo

[Rosemary]

thanks for that
good luck with it all and i hope it all goes well. I go into a 13 week rehersal period on monday and your advice and the fact that you are in my shoes and sooo much younger than me (im 18 ) has given me confidence and a bit of relief. I know as as fact that it will not be played grey so thanks for that advice. Keep me in the loop and tell me how your show goes, chookers and luv...
Rosie

[Xzain]

Did you have a birthday? In your first post, you're 17, in your last, you're 18. If so, happy belated birthday!

I've had to play older characters too (Selsdon Mowbray in "Noises Off!") and I'm also 18 (17 when I played Selsdon), so I know EXACTLY where you're coming from! Try to look deeper into the character. Mrs. Potts could, arguably, be in her early 30's (just very wise and kind for her age). Speaking slightly slower than the other characters and perhaps slightly deeper than normal can make you appear years older; you can try that. For the singing, you could use less vibrato and brighter tones to make it more contemporary.

Break a leg! You'll do great. Let us know how it goes!

[zoomer15]

Mrs. Potts was my FAVORITE to play! I was 16 when I was her in our high school production!
Liek they said be caring motherly loving and optomistic! It is SO fun! Just have fun with it! I played it as a younger person....i wasn't old and gray at all! *L* my costume was so cool!!! I hope all goes well for you!! Good luck let us know how it goes!!