Beauty and the Beast - Characters and Monologues for Auditions

A tale as old as time… Although the story of Beauty and the Beast was written in 1740, it is a part of a greater storytelling tradition that stretches back in time much further. At the heart of the tale are morals of not judging a book by it’s cover, being wary of mob mentality, and remaining kind-hearted against all odds. Disney’s film adaptation captures many of the thoughts and storytelling moments from the original incarnation of the tale, and incorporates a few other elements (like singing furniture) to make the story truly entertaining. There is a reason this story, and now Disney’s magical film, have stood the test of time. CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS Belle –. A smart, plucky young woman from a provincial town. Quite literally different from the rest of her village, and yearning for something more. She is a strong, intelligent, spirited, and independent young woman. Belle is the moral compass of the story, elevated by her thoughts and deeds. The maturity and depth of her character allows her to see the true beauty and spirit within The Beast, and to love him for it. This role requires a strong singer who can portray Belle’s maturity for her age. Songs: “Belle”, “No Matter What”, “Me”, “Belle Reprise”, “Is This Home?”, “Something There”, “A Change in Me”, “Is This Home Reprise”, “Transformation/Finale” The Beast -Master of the castle who used to be a prince. 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 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 enduring side as he interacts with Belle and recaptures his humanity. It becomes clear that he is a loving, feeling, human-being trapped within a hideous creature’s body. This role requires a strong singer, with a strong speaking voice and stage presence. Songs: “How Long Must This Go On?”, “If I Can’t Love Her”, “Something There”, “If I Can’t Love Her Reprise”, “Transformation/Finale” Gaston – A pompous and dim-witted “ladies man”. 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. Songs: “Me”, “Gaston”, “Gaston Reprise”, “Maison des Lunes”, “The Mob Song” 1 LeFou – A dim-witted lackey to Gaston. He goes to extraordinary lengths and suffers repeated humiliation in his efforts to please his master. The actor must be comfortable with physical comedy, should move well, and be a strong character actor. Songs: “Gaston”, “Gaston Reprise”, “Maison des Lunes” Maurice – An inventor and Belle’s father. Despite being a bit scatter-brained, there is no mistaking Maurice’s steadfast love for his daughter Belle. Kindly, gentle, enthusiastic and inventive, he becomes single-minded and determined when Belle faces danger. Requires strong character acting and good chemistry with Belle. Songs: “No Matter What”, “No Matter What Reprise”, “Wolf Chase #1” Mrs. Potts –A cook who is becoming a teapot. Mrs. Potts is warm-hearted and the mother-figure of the enchanted castle. British or Cockney accent required. Songs: “Is This Home (reprise) ”, “Be Our Guest”, “Something There”, “Beauty and the Beast” Lumiere –A French maître d’ who is becoming a candelabra. He is light-hearted, suave, romantic, smooth-talking, and charming. He has a romantic involvement with Babette. This role requires strong character acting, and he should move well. French accent required. Songs: “Be Our Guest”, “Something There” Cogsworth –. An English major-domo of the castle who is becoming a mantle clock. He is a stuffy English man who loves perfection. Performer should be a strong character actor. British accent required. Songs: “Something There” Babette –A maid who is becoming a feather duster. Saucy and the object of Lumiere’s affections. Role requires strong character acting and strong dancing. French accent required. Madame de la Grande Bouche –An opera singer who is becoming a wardrobe. Role requires great comedic timing, strong character acting, and strong singing voice. Chip –Mrs. Potts’ son, who is becoming a teacup. He is innocent, playful, and bright-eyed. Performer should be comfortable in confined spaces. Songs: “Be Our Guest” Monsieur D’Arque –Proprietor of the lunatic asylum. Requires strong character acting. Will double in ensemble. Narrator – Non-singing. A voiceover during the Prologue. Only in Prologue. Performer will double as another role or ensemble member. Requires a strong speaking voice. Young Man – Non-singing. A selfish prince. Only in Prologue. Performer will double as another role or ensemble member. Requires strong pantomime acting. Old Beggar Woman – Non-singing. An enchantress in disguise. Only in Prologue. Performer will double as another role or ensemble member. Requires strong pantomime acting. Silly Girls – Sopranos/Mezzo-Sopranos . Require strong character acting. Will double in ensemble. Songs: “Gaston” Ensemble All ensemble members will play Townspeople and Servants. Individual ensemble roles will be given out during rehearsals. 2 Monologues Please pick a monologue to read from for the auditions. Please know the monologue well enough to read it in character. The monologue you choose does not necessarily determine which character(s) you will be called back for. Belle: Morning, Monsieur. Where am I off to? The bookshop. I just finished the most wonderful story about a beanstalk and an ogre… Oh, never mind. Good morning kindly bookseller. I’ve come to return the book I borrowed. Finished already! Oh, I couldn’t put it down. Have you got anything new? Not since yesterday? That’s all right. I’ll borrow…this one! I know, I’ve read it twice. Well, it’s my favorite. Far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise… You mean, it’s mine? You insist? But sir! Well, thank you. Thank you very much! The Beast: I’m just fooling myself. She’ll never see me as anything...but a monster. How long must this go on? This cruel trick of fate? I simply made one careless wrong decision and that witch was gone and left me in this state, an object of revulsion and derision… hated. Is there no one who can show me how to win the world’s forgiveness? No! What did they say? Shower her with compliments… impress her with your wit… act like a gentleman. Act like a gentleman! Act like a gentleman! 3 Gaston: Run along now girls. Belle! Oh, Belle… anyone home? Helllloooooo! Belle! Isn’t this a pleasant surprise? I’m just full of surprises. For you... Mademoiselle. It’s a miniature portrait… of me! I shouldn’t have! Don’t mention it. You know, Belle, there isn’t a girl in town who wouldn’t love to be in your shoes. This is the day your dreams come true! What could I possibly know about your dreams? Plenty! Lefou: You need to help your father? That crazy old fool. He needs all the help he can get! (Lefou laughs heartily) You say he’s a genius? What’s a genius? (Gaston THUNKS Lefou over the head) Owww! Wait, you want me to go into the woods!? Not the woods! Anything but the woods! You know I hate the woods. You need a deer for your wedding feast? But I hate the woods! It’s dark and spooky, and there’s bugs and spiders! (Gaston THUNKS him again) Owww! Maurice: I don’t mean to intrude, but I’ve lost my way in the woods and I need a place tostay for the night... I heard that! I know there’s someone here and I’ll thank you to step out where I can see you! Wait... wait... wait! You’re a clock! And you’re talking! This is incredible! How is this accomplished? Well, I’m stumped. Maybe it’s some kind of new-fangled, scientific gadget. I beg your pardon. I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I’ve never seen a ta.. a tal... a talking… AAAACHOOO! Mrs. Potts: Well, what would you have us do? Give up? I like this girl. I like her spunk. I think that may be the first time I’ve ever heard him use that word. (BELLE pokes her head out of her room.) Hello, dearie. I hope the Master didn’t frighten you too much. He can be a little temperamental...If there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, let me know! Cogsworth, the lady needs some nourishment!...(to Cogsworth) Oh, pish tosh! I’m not about to let the poor child go hungry! Lumiere: Enchanté, Mademoiselle! Nonsense Cogsworth, she’s not a prisoner, she’s our guest! We must make her feel welcome here!... Of course... of course! But what is dinner without a little music? Ma chere mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now we invite you to relax. Let us pull up a chair as the Dining Room proudly presents... your dinner! 4 Cogsworth: Know everything about this castle? Well… actually, I do! May I draw your attention to our handpainted ceiling complete with cherubs frolicking in delight amidst the nymphs and centaurs… Now if you will note the unusual inverted archways, you will see that this is yet another example of the late neoclassic baroque period. And.. as I always say… if it’s not baroque, don’t fix it! Babette: Oooh la la...what have we here? Do my eyes deceive me or is this a man? It's been so long since I've seen a real man. (Sees Lumiere) Oh no. Oh no. Oh no...no... no! I’ve been burnt by you before! Care for a blanket, Monsieur? I just love older men. You say you’re jealous, Lumiere? What about you with Simone, Michelle, Veronica? Madame de la Grande Bouche: I’m Madame de la Grande Bouche. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? It appears they’ve forgotten all about me. One can be the toast of Europe; The brightest star ever to grace the stage but fall under one little spell and . . . Well now, what shall we dress you in for dinner? Let’s see what I’ve got in my drawers... (something falls out) Oh how embarrassing! Oh, of course you are going to dinner. You heard what the Master said 5