Beauty and the Beast at Disney's Hollywood Studios

[kindragon8]

This guy is great! There was an actor who played Gaston at Disneyland in the early nineties who was really terrific too. I uploaded the video in hopes of finding the actor's full name... I think the first name was Dirk (?). Anyway, anyone know?

[ImPuggleProductions]

Awesome Performance! This rocks! Puggle approves

[magicboi37]

Great video David

I worked on the Beauty and the Beast show when it first went in years ago on the change over from the beast to the prince.

[actor4sale]

You can find much more about auditioning for roles at Disney by googling Walt Disney World Auditions. Hope that helps =)

[thealliegurl]

this video came up when i googled a question...do you have to be part of the actor's equity UNION to be a character in disney? i'm currently going through the application process for the disney college program and heard that from someone cna you tell me if this is true and what are the odds of me becoming a performer (i'm a theater minor, my school doesn't have it as a major :(, and have done musicals and plays). if you could answer my questions that'd be great!!

[actor4sale]

It is not required that you be a member of the Actors' Equity Union to be a character at Disney. The principal singing and dancing roles are under an Equity contract in Florida but you are not required to join the union if you don't want to. The character department - the costumed characters including face characters are with a different union. It is difficult to get a principal role at Disney because there are so few available, but many great performers start in the character department.

[MasterWaffle009]

I find that a sin that they don't even have Lefou in this version, and I've seen this version live many times... but still. Maybe it's because I played Lefou for my high school production of Beauty and the Beast... And I loved that role so much. Hah. Still. They cut so much stuff out of the original script. Seriously, it's so misplaced... Ugh. Still... it's good for a theme park attraction. =P

[skullbasher115]

it would of made more sense to have lefou in it with him

[skullbasher115]

i agree that they should of had lefou, it would of been cool, hes a funny guy

[cindchan]

I just love the part where all the girls feint. ^_^

[clownrus]

I can't believe there was no Lefou D:

[billoujtme]

good job ^^

[winter0babe0kels]

Is this at MGM?

[actor4sale]

Yes, now called Disney's Hollywood Studios.

[fairyprincess246]

dayumm

you were gaston?

mmm

wonderful

wonderfulll

[MMM425]

i love gaston! he is definatly one of the best characters to play ever! i was recently cast as gaston and perform in january 09. im so excited! XD p.s, your definatly a great gaston! ;)

[actor4sale]

Congratulations! Break a leg man!

[MMM425]

Thanks alot! its going to be great! full size sets as well! ive got "gaston", "me", "belle" and "gaston reprise" down. only "des lunes" and "mob song" to go. also your "gaston walk" is great! haha i think thats one of the best parts of his character. ;)

[forevermeg4u]

As a person who is very good friends with Belle at WDW (and an avid Gastonian :P) I have to say you were wonderful!

[KeikoTeddy]

Did you have to join AVGA (Actors Variety Guild Association) while working here? Is this show still here?

[actor4sale]

The show is still here at Disney Hollywood Studios. I'm a member of AEA (Actors' Equity Association) All of the singers and dancers are under an Actors' Equity Contract though they are not required to join the union. The character performers are affliliated with the Teamsters union, I believe.

[barnardoo98]

Why didn't Gaston die in this show?!!

[forevermeg4u]

Nobody dies in Disney movies :P

[punkkillah1288]

Yeah, they're only thrown off castles into big, dark canyons

[barnardoo98]

Have you ever seen a Disney movie? Are you being sarcastic? Villains always die,HELLOOOOO! Gaston was one of them.

[McCoyFan]

FINALLY, a Gaston that actually sounded good AND didn't look out of shape! Great video! =D

[WDWGeek]

You see so familiar! I probobly saw you!

Do you know if you will be preforming any time in July 2008?

[thefinewino]

Was there a Lefou in this production?

[WDWGeek]

Wow you seem very familiar! I go there at least 3 times per year. your good!

Have a magical day!

[WDWGeek]

You look soooo familiar! Cool! You did great! I heard that Gaston is doing meet and greets, you should try doing that! You'd be great.

Good job and have a magical day! :)

[WDWGeek]

Wow! You are really good! This is one of my favorite things to do at Disney World! You seem so familiar. Maybe I saw you!

You should try to do a meet and greet sometime. You'd be good!

[christinacharisma]

You're really good.

[RaZOrBAcklOvEr14]

My aunt and uncle were in this show forever. Did you work with Paul and DeeDee?

[AndyTheBeastlyActor]

You should have played him on Broadway

[briceidaanahi]

gaston what girl frend all

[webkinz1028]

wheres lefou he says all those lines trust me i know i play lefou in a play!

[WDWGeek]

Ya. I was wondering why they dont put him in there.  Oh well...

[larbox]

I need you.

[WDWGeek]

me 2!

[Annice579]

This is great! I would love to play Belle at MGM Studios!! :) Take me on!

[BrieLarsonfan123]

How long ago were you doing that? my friend was Belle like 2 years ago.

[actor4sale]

I've been performing Gaston off and on since 1998 and still do it every once in a while.

[actor4sale]

What was your friend's name? I'm sure we probably performed together at some time.

[trixxtrixx]

lovely!

[OhSoBubbly]

I think I saw you...I LOVED you! You did awesome in the "Kill the Beast" song. *applause*

[silverbeauty257]

Omg! i saw this! Me and my friends fell in love with you! you sound sooooooo Great!

<3 BecA <3

[silverbeauty257]

omg..i saw this!!! haha, me and my friends fell in love him! haha you're soo great!

<3 BecA <3

[scarlettpassions]

I actually saw this one, I had no idea someone was taping it in the audeience.... This performance stuck in my head and I've seen many stage shows.... Excellent.

[Rebel2010]

That's easily the best Gaston I've seen onstage.

[AmericanWoman84]

You're great!!! would love to do a duet with you!! You're a wonderful Gaston!!! I love how you're so into his character!

[Albertojosemusic]

Hey man! Good job in the show!, I just got cast as a sub for Gaston as well,  If you're still working at the park I'm sure we'll meet at some point. Take care!

Alberto

[actor4sale]

Congratulations Alberto! Looking forward to seeing you perform. Break a leg.

[1f5sda]

I think that it is neat that you actually played Gaston in this play.

[kitty17794]

Aww, no "I love when they do that" line? Haha. Great performance! I'm sure I've probably seen you sometime, I see that show every time I go to MGM...which is quite often. I really would like to play Belle one day...gotta love her. (But of course, you know that!) ;)

[Gopokes567]

Love the movie and the show at MGM Studios

[PiratesPrincess]

I want to be Belle. I've always wanted to. In my spare time, I actually act out Belle's parts in the movie. My friends think I'm a shoo-in for Belle when I'm older.

[prkikogr09]

i want to audition for Lumiere, can i get a website with info for how to and when and all that jazz...thanks!

[anetehirose]

i want so much to act/sing in some show of Disney!

its my dream

[actor4sale]

I meant to reply to finckgirl's comment but instead of hitting reply I hit remove. But her question was if it was me who was performing on Feb. 10. To answer the question, the last time I performed this role was Jan. 18.

[actor4sale]

Thank you for your kind words. I still perform for Disney, sometimes at Beauty and the Beast, but mostly at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. The pay is more than most theatre gigs because it is under an Actors' Equity contract. The length of Beauty and the Beast is about 30 minutes and there are 5 shows a day. Disney has auditions all over the country and in Orlando every 3rd Friday of the month. Be prepared to perform your best 16 bars of two contrasting songs and have a 1 minute monologue ready.

[ellenoid]

What kind of monologue should I prepare? Should it BE from the Disney character I'll be portraying? Oh, and how do find out where Disney is auditioning other than Orlando? I live in Michigan, and it would be easier to audition nearby if I could! Thanks for taking the time to reply; I know I'm inquisitive!

[actor4sale]

I would prepare a comedic monologue since most roles at Disney are comedic in nature. If you are requested for a call-back, they will have you read and sing for specific roles, so I would prepare material for your initial audition that only hints at the type of character you want to play. When you are in the audition room, you can be specific and tell them what kind of roles you would be interested in. But be prepared. They may have you in mind for other roles as well.(It happened to me.)

[ellenoid]

Thanks! I'm excited to actually be preparing for an audition! I've always wanted to go into singing/acting, but I keep hearing my mother's nagging voice. She always told me I had a "pretty" voice, but thought it was a waste of time to lean on that as a career. The practical part of me understands that; but the artistic side won't let the performing idea rest! When I told her I plan to audition, the first thing she said was, "Well, what about school?" Mothers!

[ellenoid]

Hey, I enjoyed your video. Great performance, and great singing voice! I am interested in auditioning at Disney for the part of Belle or Ariel. How did you get involved in the play, and do you have any pointers? What was it like working there? Oh, and is this a paying gig? If it is, do they pay well? How long do you perform? Thanks!

[ellaynrihan1]

I'm just curious...how does one snag a job as awesome as this? I really want to be able to do something like this! Anyways, you're an awesome Gaston! I loved your preformance! Really convincing, really funny!

[actor4sale]

I'm glad you enjoyed the performance. It is a fun way to make a living. To answer your question: When I was in New York doing the acting thing, going to 2 to 3 auditions every day, Disney World saw me and brought me down to do the Jungle Book show which opened the Animal Kingdom. I've been performing in various shows for them ever since. Disney still auditions all over the country and in Orlando every 3rd Friday of the month. So prep a couple of songs and a monologue and go for it!

[lambshell]

Awesome show

[lambshell]

I saw you as Jim Handy. Remarkable, great voice. When I was there, I wanted to see if I could get a picture with all of you in the cast, but the CM at the door told me that you all had changed already and/or left. But that's ok, it was still a great birthday for me. I was just wondering, have you ever taken a cast picture with a guest upon request?

[actor4sale]

It is true, we dash out of there pretty fast after the show, but if you let a manager know ahead of time, we can get a photo with you before the show. Thank you for the compliment and I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday party.

[LillyMunster1331]

this show is the best!!

[actor4sale]

It certainly is fun to play a villian every once in a while.

[wdwstacey]

I remember you!! I spent 7 months working at Disney and this was by far my FAVORITE show. I even know some people that work there as well. I have plans to audition once I lose some more weight. We can't have fat princesses, ya know?? What are you doing at Disney now? Just curious...

[actor4sale]

Currently I'm contracted at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue in the Jim Handy role.

[danzin2it]

That is too cool! My dream has always been to work as a dancer in Disney World, that dream is kinda on hiatus right now due to college but this is a great reminder of what I still want to do. Thanks for posting it and great job!

[actor4sale]

I have no doubt you will accomplish your goals. Persistance and Practice and just about anything is possible.