Beauty and the Beast Jr. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
Belle- Belle is a smart, confident young woman from a small village. She’s a strong singer and actress who is able to stand up to Gaston while showing compassion for Maurice, the Servants, and eventually the Beast.
Beast- The Beast is a young prince who was hideously transformed by the Enchantress' s spell. The beast has a complex character: a dictator, a hurt child, a hero, a defender and a smitten prince. He should be played by an actor who can deliver a range of conflicting emotional states.
Narrators- The Narrators guide the focus and pace of his beautiful tale. It is important that they enunciate and project.
Old Beggar Woman/Enchantress- The Old Beggar Woman/Enchantress should have a flair for the visually dramatic as this is a non-speaking role. Her transformation in the Prologue needs to entice the audience into the story. She becomes a villager for the rest of the show.
Gaston- Gaston is pompous and dim-witted and will do whatever it takes to win Belle's hand. Gaston has all the confidence in the world but lacks the humility to balance it. He must be a strong singer and actor and has to be able to sell his big number with gusto and arrogance as well as lead the Villagers in "The Mob Song."
Maurice- Maurice is an aging and eccentric inventor, but more importantly, the adoring and protective father of Belle. This role is perfect for the performer who can have fun interpreting this “crazy old man” while conveying some very strong emotions: fear and fatherly love.
Lefou- Lefou is Gaston's equally dim-witted lackey. This character needs to be Gaston's foil and should double the laughs for them both.
Les Filles De La Ville (The City Girls)- Les Filles De La Ville are in love with Gaston and will do almost anything just to be near him. Their role is comic and the girls enjoy playing off each other. Les Filles De La Ville sing together in three numbers and their sound should mix well.
Lumiere- Lumiere is a confident, charming French mâitre d’ who (under the enchantress's spell) is becoming a candelabra. He has an incessant bickering rapport with Cogsworth, Lumiere should be a strong singer who can light up the stage in "Be Our Guest”. A French accent would be fantastic! This role covers a range of emotions (from charming entertainer to brave soldier).
Cogsworth- Cogsworth is the British major-domo of the castle who is becoming a clock. Like all of the Castle Servants, he shows a fatherly compassion for Belle yet is perfectly submissive to the master, the Beast. Cogsworth enjoys feeling like the boss and has no problem getting into it with Lumiere.
Mrs. Potts- Mrs. Potts is the castle’s endearing cook who is becoming a teapot. She has a strong, sweet voice and conveys comforting, maternal qualities amidst the chaos that is breaking out in the castle. She is a loving mother figure to all the characters.
Chip- Chip is Mrs. Pott’s son who is becoming a teacup. Chip can be played by a male or female and has a wonderful naïveté that endears him to all of the Servants. He should portray the honesty and spirit of a child.
Madame De La Grande Bouche- Madame De La Grande Bouche is an opera singer who is becoming a wardrobe. Madame is larger-than-life in everything she does, including her singing and dancing. She portrays the ultimate’ diva with a heart’, with an outsized personality and voice.
Babette- Babette is the maid of the castle who is turning into a feather duster. She misses the finer things in life. Babette is happy to be at Belle’s service at a moment’s notice, but her true heart comes through in Human Again.
Monsieur D'Arque- Monsieur D'Arque is a sinister townsman who works for Gaston.
Servants- The Servants of the castle include Statues, a Dust Pan, Flatware, Plates, an Egg Timer, Napkins, a Carpet, Salt & Pepper Shakers and other household items. These enchanted characters are the Rockettes of the castle.
Villagers- The Villagers are the inhabitants of Belle’s town. There are some featured solos and lines in this ensemble (Bookseller, Baker, etc.). The group provides vocal power throughout the show and dance in the production numbers.