Magical Starlight Theatre invites you to be part of something new and exciting on the community theatre stage!
AUDITIONS OCTOBER 7-8
Tale As Old As Time
“Beauty and the Beast”, as it is known today, comes from a French adaptation of a story found in many ancient cultures from Africa, to Europe, to Asia. The timeless tale is a morality play asking us to consider two things: show modesty and respect for others, look beyond what you see. In other words, looks can be deceiving, so humble yourselves and assume the best in others.
Our hero, Belle, lives near an enchanted and forgotten French castle whose resident prince has been turned into a beast as punishment for his selfish nature. The enchantress tells him that if he can learn to love, and be loved in return, the spell will be broken. The servants of the castle are also doomed to the same fate.
When Belle happens upon the castle, and is taken prisoner by the vicious beast, she finds the servants to be friendly and welcoming, despite the horrible beast. Although her initial opinion of the beast is one of fright and loathing, she starts to see him through her naturally caring and understanding eyes. Not knowing that she, alone, holds the power to release them all from this curse, she starts to feel something more for this ugly and terrifying beast.
Will she break the spell? Will the prince learn to love? Will they live happily ever after? Is this a Disney story?
Magical Starlight Theater continues it’s tradition of family oriented theater in it’s selection of this amazing Disney adaptation, as seen on the big screen (as a cartoon and live action) and on Broadway. This production will include all the memorable music, dance and scene work, with the same quality talent and performance that Napervillians have come to expect from our organization for decades.
Magical Starlight Theatre will hold auditions for actors on Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, located at 305 W. Jackson Avenue at the northwest corner of Eagle Street and Jackson Avenue in Naperville (enter from upper level). Lead and supporting roles are available for all ages, and a strong ensemble cast comprised of actors of all ages also will be needed. Auditions for all ages (4th grade/9 years old and above) are from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on both days. If you are checked in at 5:00pm, you will be able to audition. Youth must be in fourth grade or higher.
At auditions, youth and adults are asked to sing a specific vocal piece and prepare a monologue from Beauty and the Beast. Practice tracks are below. A music recording for the vocal auditions is provided. There is a dance audition as well; come prepared to move. Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, October 10 at 6 p.m. Callbacks include singing as well as character readings.
Everyone auditioning needs to only attend one of the two days of auditions; no time slot reservation is required. Auditionees are grouped as they arrive. Once your group has concluded music, reading and choreography auditions, you are excused.
ALL PERFORMANCES AND TECH WEEK REHEARSALS ARE MANDATORY
Eight performances are presented January 12-14 and 19-21, 2024. Performances are at Naperville Central High School Auditorium. Friday performances are 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday evening performances are at 6:30 p.m. Rehearsals are generally scheduled for Sunday afternoons, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Please bring all conflicts for rehearsals and performances to auditions.
Cast members may be responsible for providing a costume or basic costume components for the production.
Music for Auditions
Character Descriptions
Magical Starlight Theatre is looking for storytellers with strong emotional and physical commitment to the characters. As such, all auditioning actors are asked to participate in each part of the audition process including singing and movement. All actors cast in this production will be expected to sing and some may be asked to play multiple roles.
We are looking for storytellers with strong emotional, and physical commitment to the characters.
Youth must be in fourth grade (9 years old) or higher.
Some roles might have stage appearance age lower than this requirement, but we can’t accept any youth who’s actual grade is under fourth grade.
| Character | Description | Vocal Range | Vocal Range Bottom | Vocal Range Top | Vocal Audition Piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narrator | A voiceover, an offstage voice, or an onstage storyteller delivers the prologue. | Monologue #1 | |||
| Young Prince | A spoiled, selfish, and unkind prince, is transformed into the Beast. | Monologue #1 | |||
| Old Beggar Woman | A haggard-looking old woman, reveals herself to be a beautiful enchantress. | Monologue #1 | |||
| Belle | An intelligent and insightful young woman, longs for a life of adventure and belonging. Willing to sacrifice herself to save her father, she exhibits heroic altruism and selfless love. While kind-hearted and gentle, Belle proves her strength when she stands up to the brutish Gaston. Belle should have a strong mezzo voice and discernible chemistry with the actor playing the Beast. | Soprano | Low A | High F | Monologue #1 and #2 |
| Maruice | An inventor, is Belle’s loving and supportive father. A bit of an eccentric who often gets lost in his own world while tinkering on his contraptions, the villagers incorrectly label him a “crazy old man.” | Baritone | Bb | High Db | Monologue #1 and #13 |
| Gaston | The village celebrity, is in love with one person: himself. The epitome of toxic masculinity, Gaston earnestly and unabashedly harasses Belle, whom he values only for her beauty. Charming and manipulative, Gaston is the village’s de facto leader whose lack of understanding and compassion ultimately leads to his own downfall. Gaston is a high baritone with a large vocal range. | Baritone | A | High F | Monologue #1 and #10 |
| Lefou | Gaston’s bumbling sidekick, is always there to boost his pal’s spirits. Lefou loyally and energetically serves Gaston, but lacking in good judgement, rarely thinks things through. Lefou should have good physical comedy skills. | Baritone | B | High F# | Monologue #1 and #14 |
| Monsieur D’Arque | The scheming proprietor of the local asylum, is a dark and sinister force behind Gaston’s scheme to win Belle. (See p. 70 for additional context.) | Tenor | D | High A | Monologue #1 and #8 |
| Les Filles De La Ville (3) | French for “village girls,” are a group of Gaston’s fanatical female followers who energetically pursue him in the hopes of winning his affections. Though only three filles have lines, they do sing as a group often, so feel free to cast a larger group of women to fawn over Gaston. | Monologue #1 and #4 | |||
| Cronies | Frequenters at the tavern, are Gaston’s drinking companions. Loud and rowdy, they love a good laugh, even at the expense of innocent and eccentric villagers, like Maurice. | Monologue #1 | |||
| Beast | A spoiled prince turned into a terrifying beast, struggles to maintain his humanity as the Enchantress’s spell grows stronger. His hot temper can frighten and push people away, but a loving heart is buried beneath his gruff exterior. The actor who plays the Beast needs to evince a strong physicality to convey intense emotion and animal behavior; he must also be able to sell his agony of loss, so look for an actor who can sing “If I Can’t Love Her” with strength and commitment. Depending on your directorial concept (see the staging chapter of this handbook for tips), this actor can play the Young Prince in the prologue and the Prince in the finale as well. | Baritone | A | High F | Monologue #1 and #9 |
| Cogsworth | A tightly-wound and enchanted mantle clock, serves as the head of the Beast’s household. Never one to disobey the Beast, he spends most of his time trying to talk Lumiere out of whatever convoluted plan he’s devising. Despite his tendency to appear uptight and strict, Cogsworth proves hardworking and loyal. | Baritone | A | High E | Monologue #1 and #12 |
| Lumiere | A suave and debonair enchanted candelabra, finds the light even in the darkest of places. He loyally serves the Beast and counters his gloomy disposition with an optimistic flare. Though he leads “Be Our Guest,” Lumiere can speak-sing through much of it, so cast a strong actor who can first and foremost pull off his flirtatious and funny nature. | Tenor/Baritone | A | High F# | Monologue #1 and #11 |
| Babette | An enchanted feather duster, is fun-loving and flirtatious. Bold and brazen, Babette is the embodiment of the vain and enticing French maid. | Mezzo Soprano | C | C | Monologue #1 and #5 |
| Mrs. Potts | a warm-hearted enchanted teapot, is the comforting caretaker among the castle staff. A wise and patient maternal figure, she is quick to offer a spot of tea and a dash of advice to anyone in need. Mrs. Potts is an alto who sings the title song. | Alto/Mezzo | Low F# | High G | Monologue #1 and #3 |
| Chip | Mrs. Potts’s darling child, is a playful and bright-eyed enchanted teacup. Chip’s innocence and cheer make sipping tea a delightful experience, winning over even the grumpiest of hearts. | D | High D | Monologue #1 and #7 | |
| Madame De La Grande Bouche | A former opera diva turned enchanted wardrobe, is a larger-than-life personality who helps lift Belle’s spirits when she first arrives at the castle. Without her elaborate and theatrical costuming, Madame finds life difficult, but always manages to retain an air of elegance and refinement. | Soprano | C# | High G | Monologue #1 and #6 |
| Wolves | Violent and frightening creatures of the forest, are known to attack innocent wanderers. | Monologue #1 | |||
| Ensemble | the Shepherd, Marie, Tavern Master, Laundry Lady, Baker, Milkmaid, Flower Seller, Sausage Curl Lady, Candlemaker, Hat Seller, Bookseller, gargoyle, flatware, napkins, etc., serve the Beast by cooking, cleaning, and carrying out his orders. | Monologue #1 |
If you have additional questions not answered below, email: info@MagicalStarlight.org.