Characters & Vocal Ranges

Below is character information as given to the director's for consideration when casting. Please remember that what is written below are suggestions to the directors, not the be-all, end-all definition or description of the characters. In addition, please remember that vocal ranges are within reason as well because pitches out of someone's range can always be rewritten into range. Keep the following in mind when considering the different characters and descriptions to help understand the overall plot and message of the musical.

FEMALE LEAD ROLES

BELLE: Belle is the original fairy tale heroine–kind, gentle, and beautiful. She is a strong, intelligent, spirited and an independent young woman. Belle is the moral conscience of the story, elevated by her thoughts and deeds. The maturity and depth of her character allow her to see the true beauty and spirit within The Beast, and to love him for it. This role requires a very strong singer who portrays innocence with her singing and speaking voice.

Vocal Range: Soprano (Low A-High F)

MRS. POTTS: Mrs. Potts is a warm-hearted, maternal enchanted teapot. She is the narrator of the story and is the motherly figure to Belle. A very strong singer needed for this role as Mrs. Potts sings the title song Beauty and the Beast which is the audience show-stopper song of the show. This character speaks with a British accent.

Vocal Range: Alto/Mezzo (Low F#-High G)

MALE LEAD ROLES

BEAST: The Beast’s tortured soul is evident for all to see. He is paying the ultimate price for a moment of mean-spiritedness, and wishes beyond wishing that 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. It becomes clear that he is a loving, feeling, human being trapped within a hideous creature’s body. This role requires a very strong singer, and the actor must have a strong speaking voice and stage presence.

Vocal Range: Baritone (A–High F)

GASTON: Gaston is the absolute antithesis of The Beast. Although he is physically handsome, he is shallow, completely self-centered, not very bright, and thrives on attention. However, when his ego is bruised he becomes a very dangerous foe for The Beast, Belle and Maurice. This role requires a strong singer and character actor who moves well

Vocal Range: Baritone (A–High F)

LUMIERE: Lumiere is the French butler who was transformed into a Candelabrum. He is light-hearted, suave, romantic, smooth-talking, and charming. He has a romantic involvement with Babette. This character speaks with a French accent. This role requires strong character acting, and he should move well.

Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritone (A-High F#)

COGSWORTH: Cogsworth is a tightly-wound, enchanted mantle clock and the head of the Beast’s household. He is a stuffy English man who loves perfection. This character speaks with a British accent. This role requires strong character acting.

Vocal Range: Baritone (A-High E)

FEMALE SUPPORTING ROLES

BABBETTE: Babette is a saucy, enchanted feather-duster, and the object of Lumiere's affections. This role requires good character acting and she should move well, as she dances a tango with Lumiere during Be Our Guest. This character speaks with a French accent.

Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano (C-C)

MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE: Madame is a former opera diva turned enchanted wardrobe. This character speaks with a French accent.

Vocal Range: Soprano (C#-High G)

THREE SILLY GIRLS: The silly girls are three pretty young maids who swoon over Gaston. They are featured dancers.

MALE SUPPORTING ROLES

MAURICE: Despite being a bit scatter-brained, there is no mistaking Maurice’s steadfast love for his daughter Belle. Kind, gentle, enthusiastic and inventive, he becomes single-minded and determined when Belle faces danger. Maurice and Belle sing the lovely duet No Matter What.

Vocal Range: Baritone (Bb-High Db)

LEFOU: Lefou is Gaston’s dim-witted, servile sidekick. He goes to extraordinary lengths and suffers repeated humiliation in his efforts to please his master. The actor must be comfortable with physical comedy, and the role requires strong character acting.

Vocal Range: Baritone (B-High F#)

CHIP: Chip is an inquisitive little teacup who is the son of Mrs. Potts.

Vocal Range: Boy Unchanged Voice (D-High D)

MONSIEUR D'ARQUE: D’arque is the creepy, scheming proprietor of the local insane asylum, The Maison De Lune. This character speaks with a French accent.

Vocal Range: Tenor (D-High A)

ENSEMBLE ROLES

ENSEMBLE (TOWNSPEOPLE - THE ENCHANTED OBJECTS) There are MANY additional ensemble roles. The ensemble is very busy throughout the show. There are several solo lines in songs like Belle and The Mob Song, and many great dance numbers (Gaston, Be Our Guest, and Human Again). The Enchantress, Young Prince, the Baker, the Baker’s wife, and the Bookseller are all chorus members. We will split the ensemble into TWO ENSEMBLES: Villager Ensemble (Belle, Gaston, Mob Song), and the Enchanted Ensemble (Be Our Guest, Human Again, Mob Song). Some will overlap between BOTH ensembles.

FEATURED DANCERS: We will be looking to cast ~8 featured dancers for the show. Featured Dancers will be WOLVES (for Wolf Chase #1 and #2), NAPKINS (for Enchanted Ensemble), and will be featured dancers in the VILLAGER ENSEMBLE as well.