ENTERTAINMENT

‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’ to play at Mayo PAC

BILL NUTT
CORRESPONDENT

While he was in high school in Keller, Texas, Ryan Everett Wood was cast as Horton the elephant in “Seussical: The Musical.” He says that playing the role made him fall in love with theater.

His student days are behind, but Wood now finds himself portraying another large, misunderstood creature: the Beast in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.”

Wood’s current production is more lavish and his costume more intricate. But he claims that he feels the same enthusiasm for performing as he did playing Horton.

“I love the stage,” says Wood. “The live-action story plays out in front of your eyes. You see the sweat. You see the tears. It’s magic.”

Wood hopes that audiences will feel that magic when the national tour of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” comes to the Mayo Performing Arts Center for four performances this weekend, April 10 through 12.

The role of the Beast means a great deal to Wood. He was enchanted by the 1991 film. “I wore out the VHS copy, I loved it so much,” he says.

Wood was not from alone; “Beauty and the Beast” was a hit with fans and critics. They embraced the story of the bookish Belle who falls into an unexpected relationship with a frightening creature living under a curse.

The movie became the first animated feature nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Three of the songs by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman were nominated in the Best Song category: “Be Our Guest,” “Belle” and the title song, which won.

Three years later, the movie was adapted for the stage by screenwriter Linda Woolverton. The original score was enhanced with songs featuring lyrics by Tim Rice.

“I like the new songs,” Wood says. “Gaston (the film’s villain) gets a new song. And the Beast gets to sing, which he doesn’t really get to do in the movie.”

Wood also praises “Human Again,” a number sung by the magically transformed staff of the Beast’s castle. The song - written by Mencken and Ashman but dropped from the film – was added to the musical. “It’s a magical song,” he says.

The stage production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” ran for 13 years and currently is listed as the ninth longest-running show in Broadway history.

Wood notes that, for the touring company, the original director (Robert Jess Roth) and choreographer (Matt West) returned.

The role of the Beast has its challenges, mostly involving the costume. “It’s daunting,” Wood says. “How do you emote under all this hair and prosthetics? You have to get the audience to see past the exterior into the character’s heart.”

Wood also notes that, a few years ago, he was the understudy for the title ogre and for Lord Farquaad in the national tour of “Shrek: The Musical.” “I’m no stranger to make-up and prosthetics,” he says with a laugh.

Wood says he is aided greatly by Jillian Butterfield, who plays Belle. “She’s a great friend on this tour, and she’s a terrific Belle,” he says. “She has all this energy.”

In the end, for all the costumes and stage magic, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” strikes a chord in audiences because of the story. “It’s a universal theme of wanting people to look past what you are on the outside,” says Wood.

“I know that I have insecurities,” he continues. “I’ve felt judged, that people haven’t seen past my exterior.”

“It’s a story that people can relate to,” Wood concludes. “You have a beautiful girl, but she’s an outcast. You have a big scary beast, but he’s really a little kid at heart. They’re misfits who belong together.”

‘DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’

WHAT: The stage adaptation of the 1991 animated feature includes songs by the team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, including “Be Our Guest,” “Belle,” and the award-winning title song.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, April 10; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11; 11 a.m. Sunday, April 12

WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown

TICKETS: $49 to $79

INFORMATION: 973-539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org.