Stage Right Presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
A tale as old as time. A story everyone is familiar with. People have read the fairy tale, seen the Disney animated movie, seen the film produced in 2017, or perhaps watched the television program that ran from 1987-1990 with Ron Perlman as Beast and Linda Hamilton as the beauty. It is the story of the self-centered prince who is cursed to spend his life as a hideous monster unless he finds true love.
Since the story is so well known, I decided to look at the tale from a different perspective. I interviewed several members of the cast of Stage Right’s production of Beauty and the Beast to gain insight into the personality traits and motivations of each person’s role.
Hillary Moore-Cardenas, who play Belle, envisions her character as an individual who sees the potential of those around her and encourages their personal growth. She is a dreamer; she has dreams for herself and for her father. As her dream changes, she embraces this change and is ready to move forward to willingly accept these changes. Hillary is well known to Stage Right audiences. She moved away several years ago and has now returned to enchant our audiences once more. Luis Garcia Ayala portrays Lefou, Gaston’s sidekick. Luis sees Lefou as a lackey but he dreams of being Gaston. He shadows Gaston doing his bidding. Luis has become a very familiar face at the Crighton Theatre. He has been in In the Heights, The Little Mermaid, West Side Story, Nine to Five and Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story. Stephen Hill believes his character Cogsworth, is neurotic and and melancholic. Cogsworth is beginning to lose hope in his circumstances. Stephen has performed in The Little Mermaid, Shrek and The Wizard of Oz. He also was a musician in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Sam Nash, an ensemble member, is trying to understand why someone would choose to be part of a mob and attack the Beast’s castle. He thinks his character believes all the rumors surrounding the Beast so he follows the crowd and he feels he is saving his family and the other villagers. Sam will be attending Tomball High School this fall and was seen in West Side Story. He also portray Jack in Into the Woods at the Owen Theatre and has been active with Christian Youth Theatre, Christian Community Theatre and Black Cat Theatre. Lucy Eddleman, seven years of age, says that her character is a teacup and likes to get into mischief. She is excited to have this great part.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast runs from July 5-21 at the historic Crighton Theatre. Tickets are available by calling the Crighton Theatre Box Office at (936)441-7469 or go to stage-right.org to access tickets. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $20 for students. If you access a website that has higher prices, you are on a deceptive website. Don’t be fooled.
